Tag: Brisbane schools

Forest Lake School Opens Refurbished Canteen With New Menu Options

Photo Credit: Forest Lake SHS/Facebook

A newly refurbished canteen has opened at a school in Forest Lake, providing students with a refreshed food service space and a varied menu for daily use.

Read: Forest Lake Teen Sabina Locke Is Already Learning How to Balance Ambition with Direction

Forest Lake Canteen Upgrade Now In Use

Students at a Forest Lake high school are now using a refurbished canteen that opened in the first week of term earlier this year. The upgraded facility marked the completion of a project that had been a long-standing priority, particularly for canteen staff.

The redevelopment focused on improving the working environment behind the counter, where staff manage high demand during peak periods. The updated layout provides a more functional space to support daily operations during busy lunch breaks.

Forest Lake canteen
Photo Credit: Forest Lake SHS/Facebook

Menu Brings Familiar Favourites And Variety

The Forest Lake canteen offers a range of food options across the week, with a rotating schedule that includes items such as sausage sizzles, tacos and loaded nachos. Daily offerings also include burrito bowls, meatball subs, fried rice and roast vegetable wraps.

Students can choose from wraps and sandwiches, with fillings such as tuna, chicken, or egg and lettuce. Lighter options including fruit, yoghurt, salad cups and salad trays are available alongside hot foods such as noodles, pizza and potato wedges.

Lower-cost items are available on the menu, including loaded nachos priced at $6.50. The menu has also been revised to meet the Smart Choices Healthy Food and Drink Strategy, which encourages balanced food and drink choices for students.

Space Supports Daily School Use In Forest Lake

The refurbished Forest Lake canteen provides a more practical space for staff while serving students during the school day. The improved layout supports food preparation and service during high-demand periods, with students able to access meals between classes.

Students have already begun using the space regularly, with many contributing suggestions for menu updates during the early weeks of operation.

Forest Lake SHS
Photo Credit: Forest Lake SHS/Facebook

Opening Attended By School And Community Members

The official opening was attended by senior students, school leadership and members of the parent-led association. Ms Margie Nightingale also attended the opening and noted the role of the upgraded space in improving access to food and supporting working conditions for staff.

The canteen upgrade has been supported by the school’s parent-led association, which continues to assist with operations as the new facility becomes part of the school routine. A casual retail assistant role has also been advertised to support both the canteen and the uniform shop.

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Earlier updates during construction showed anticipation within the school as the project progressed.

Published 22-Apr-2026

Pallara State School Among Brisbane Schools Facing Enrollment Surge

Pallara State School is among the schools that are expected to face capacity issues in the coming years as rising enrollment puts pressure on some public primary schools in Brisbane.

Read: Students at Inala School Face Food Crisis Amid Rising Cost of Living

At Pallara State School, the student numbers are forecasted to jump to 1,600 by 2027, an increase of 472 from current levels.

The swell in enrollment is being driven by new housing developments in the area surrounding the school, located in the city’s south side. 

According to Mandi Tran, president of the Pallara State School P&C, there are many young families moving into the area, so it is not surprising that the school is projected to see significant growth. 

Photo credit: pallarass.eq.edu.au

Mrs Tran stated that it is a substantial increase and the P&C is working closely with the education department to ensure all necessary provisions are in place.

At the start of this school year, Pallara students had to temporarily learn in portable classrooms due to delays in installing new permanent facilities. The situation highlighted the capacity crunch facing the school as it tries to accommodate the rapid influx of new students.

To help schools like Pallara meet growing demand, the Queensland Government has committed funding for major expansions. The Department of Education said the expansions at Pallara, along with nearby schools Griffin and Indooroopilly, will ensure sufficient capacity to handle continuing growth.

Artist’s impression of new learning centre at Pallara State School (Photo credit: pallarass.eq.edu.au)

For Pallara, the state has allocated money to construct a three-story building with 21 new learning spaces. The proposed development, expected to be completed in time for the 2025 school year, will include 20 classrooms with four devoted to preps, as well as one specialist classroom.

Earlier this year, Pallara State School announced additional temporary hire spaces will be installed before the end of 2023 to ease the transition between school years as the permanent expansion takes shape.

Read: Forest Lake Teen Charlie Eggins Breaks Rubik’s Cube World Record

For growing schools across Brisbane, striking the right balance between meeting current demand and planning for the future will be key to ensuring a quality learning environment for students.

Published 10-October-2023