Discovery Centre powers future careers at Bray Park State High School

Bray Park State High School has officially opened its new Discovery Centre, representing a significant investment in skills-based education for the growing City of Moreton Bay.

Executive Principal Peter Turner said the purpose-built precinct has been designed to align directly with workforce demand across trades, design, technology and the creative industries.

“The future of industries and the demand we’re going through, particularly in the trades in the real world, are screaming out for workers,” Mr Turner said. “We’re positioning ourselves to provide opportunities for our students to fulfil the need of these occupations and make school more engaging along the way.”

For local families, it means students can access industry-level training and career-aligned learning without leaving their community.

Hands-on training

Inside the Discovery Centre, students are learning in spaces designed to reflect real workplaces, including an automotive precinct with professional hoists and specialist facilities for construction, design and technologies.

One of the most significant additions is the school’s new full-sheet CNC router, giving students access to advanced machinery used in commercial construction and manufacturing workshops.

“It’s $70,000 worth of industry-grade equipment,” Mr Turner said.

The investment marks a shift toward industry-aligned, hands-on training, with students building practical skills on professional-grade equipment.

That same approach is evident in the automotive precinct. “They’re building go-karts and racing them at Willowbank,” he said.

The program allows students to apply engineering concepts, mechanical skills and teamwork in a real-world setting, reinforcing the connection between classroom learning and future careers.

The facility was delivered as part of a Queensland Government Growth Project and comes as the school continues to expand alongside rapid residential development across the region.

Meeting demand from a growing population

Over the past seven years, enrolments have grown from around 800 students to more than 1,900. During that time, the school has built 45 classrooms and broadened subject offerings to meet the needs of a changing community.

Mr Turner pointed to major housing activity in the catchment, including Ausbuild developments and subdivisions in surrounding areas such as Dayboro, as contributing to the increase in school-aged children.

He said the number of students living within the catchment who are choosing to attend Bray Park State High School has grown significantly over the past seven years, as more families choose the local state high school over other schooling options, including private education.

With expanded facilities, industry-grade equipment and programs aligned to workforce demand, Bray Park State High School is helping shape the future skills pipeline of Moreton Bay.

“This is about giving our students every opportunity to succeed,” Mr Turner said.

Discovery Centre at a glance:

• 4 Design and Robotics Labs with Breakout Project Spaces between them.

• 2 Construction Rooms

• A Full Sheet CNC Router Room

• An automotive studies precinct

• A Media studies room with an editing suite

• A Dance/Drama room

• 12 General Learning Classrooms

• A First Nations Programs Room

• 8 Wellbeing Professionals Offices

Read more about Bray Park State High School on their website: https://brayparkshs.eq.edu.au/

This article is part of the Bright Futures: Schools Special Feature.

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Bray Park State High School and proudly endorsed by Moreton Daily. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Moreton Daily possible.