Expanding Horizons: Education

From Ipswich Yearbook, Volume 1, 1977-1978, p.40

In 1974, Council received grants, from the Commonwealth Government, to purchase eight homes in the Ipswich area for the purpose of converting them into Day Care Centres.  The Centres were then leased to citizens' committees that ran them as autonomous child care centres.  Running expenses, including salaries, were covered by fees and with s subsidy from the Commonwealth.  Maintenance of the buildings and equipment was undertaken by Council.

The Day Care Centres were located in suburban areas and complimented the Kindergartens that were operated by independent organisations.

Locations were:

• 18 Cole Street, Booval (capacity of 27)
• 130 Thornton Street, Raceview (capacity of 22)
• 84 Hill Street, North Ipswich (capacity of 26
• 1 Adam Street, Bundamba (capacity of 31)
• 28 Cribb Street, Sadliers Crossing (capacity 29)
• 8 Berry Street, Churchill (capacity 31)
• 4 Clem Street, Brassall (capacity 27)
• 23 Ipswich Street, Raceview (capacity 34)

From Ipswich Yearbook, Volume 1, 1977-1978, p.67

By the end of the 1970s, State Primary schools in Ipswich provided an education to approximately 10,000 students in years 1 to 7.  Schools were located at Amberley, Blackstone, Blair (Sadliers Crossing), Brassall, Bundamba, Camira, Churchill, Dinmore, Goodna, Ipswich Central, Ipswich East, Ipswich North, Ipswich West, Kruger (Bellbird Park), Leichhardt, Raceview, Redbank, Redbank Plains, Riverview, Silkstone, Tivoli.  

Most of these schools had pre-school centres attached and "Opportunity", or Special Schools, were located at Ipswich, Ipswich West, and Goodna.

There were three State High Schools in Ipswich: Ipswich State High, Brassall (with an enrollment of 1,500 in 1978), Bremer State High, Silkstone (with an enrolment of 1,300), and Bundamba (with an enrolment of 1,000).  Junior Certificates were issued at the end of year 10 and Senior Certificates were issued at the end of year 12.  

The Ipswich Technical College catered for students who had completed their Junior Certificate.  By the end of the 1970s, the College had approximately 630 apprentices and also offered advanced trade and office training courses, and further education for adult students, with 5,000 adult students enrolled each term.

Over 4,000 students were enrolled in the seven primary and five secondary non-government schools in the Ipswich area in 1978.