Showcase star still shining

MARCH 2009
By Rebecca Perry

The residential campus at Spinifex State College in Mount Isa has become a second home for students from some of Queensland's most remote communities.

Since it opened in 2003, the campus has welcomed up to 55 students a year - offering meals, accommodation and practical education guidance for young regional Queenslanders.

The innovative facility, the first state-run residential campus of its kind in Queensland, won the 2006 Queensland University of Technology Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership.

Inspirational ... Spinifex State College's Andrew Kube in the kitchen with students Bryony Stewart, Shaun Scarborough and Robert Ned.

Three years after Spinifex's win in the awards, which celebrate excellent practice in Queensland state schools, the residential head of campus Andrew Kube said the school's past Showcase success was still inspirational.

'Winning the award definitely gave us bragging rights,' Mr Kube said. 'We promote it in all of our brochures because it is something we are proud of.'

The school's senior campus was also a Showcase State Finalist in 2005 and 2007.

Mr Kube said a full-time staff, including a cook, was employed at the centre to look after students.

'They are our "house parents" and, like in any home, there are sometimes challenges. But it's a very nice environment where people care about the students and everyone is happy to be here,' he said.

Since winning the award, the school has become a 'sister school' to the P-10 Doomadgee State School and Mount Isa's Sunset State School, with curriculum integrated across the schools to allow easy transitions for students travelling between areas.

Twelve students from Doomadgee are joining the residential program this year, in a move teachers hope will enrich their educational experience.

'We have a good enrolment procedure to access our facility and that helps generate good results,' Mr Kube said.

'One hundred per cent of our graduates have gone into jobs or further training, and we are extremely proud of our high success rate.'

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools.

Now in its tenth year, the awards feature eight categories covering the different phases of learning, academic excellence, inclusive or innovative practices and partnerships with industry and the community.

Schools can share in more than $370,000 in grants, with cash prizes being presented to regional winners and state finalists, ahead of the state winners' gala dinner in October.

Submissions to enter the 2009 Showcase Awards close on March 27.

For more information, visit the Showcase Awards website.