Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the proposed decision of the Newman LNP Government, as gazetted on 10 May 2013, to close Old Yarranlea State School. Old Yarranlea State School is a heritage listed, one teacher school operated by Education Queensland in partnership with Griffith University on its Mount Gravatt campus.  The school cannot be sold as it is on Griffith University land. The school which recently celebrated 25 years of operating at Griffith University is used for valuable teacher training and research and has already benefitted 7000-80000 Griffith University students, with the school giving a unique insight into what it is like to teach in a one-teacher school.  An Agreement signed by Education Queensland and Griffith University provides for the operation of the school. Griffith University remains committed to the Agreement and has backed a proposal to alter this Agreement to raise the current student enrolment cap from 18 to 24. This will significantly reduce the school's operating costs per student assuring resourcing equity.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to call on the Minister for Education, Training and Employment to:

• Honour the Agreement with Griffith University;
• Ensure this unique school continues to operate to provide education to existing and new primary students;
• Recognize the school as a Centre of Excellence for multi-age teaching; and
• Ensure the school, in partnership with Griffith University, continues to provide quality teacher training and research opportunities for the future teachers of Queensland.