Mountain Creek State High School is situated approximately three kilometres west of Mooloolaba Beach on the Sunshine Coast, 100 kilometres north Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane. The school opened in 1995 with facilities located on a 35 acre site. Over the past six years additional general learning areas, specialist buildings and staffrooms have been built, totalling some $30 million dollars, to accommodate the current enrolment population of approximately 1960 students and 185 staff members.

The school building design is HS-88 consisting of single story brick and panel walls with undercover walkways linking all permanent buildings, except Student Services Building. This building design, excluding temporary buildings, has suitable access for the disabled.

The following general and specialised classrooms are utilised:

Fibre optic cabling linking all buildings at the school allows access to the administration and curriculum networks, and the Internet via an external link to Education Queensland. This cabling connects all permanent buildings on site, excluding temporary buildings. A mixture of 100Mbs and 1000Mbs switches connect buildings to the fibre optic backbone. As the school’s internet service provider, Education Queensland monitors and polices staff and student internet/email usage. School network administrators regularly review student home directories for breaches of security.

The school operates proprietary computer software supplied by Education Queensland, which comprises of the School Management System (SMS). This database system manages school information and the maintenance of full records on students, staff and all school facilities, assets and finance. Further, to facilitate effective communications, other databases have been specially developed, including a teacher and student timetabling program and databases comprising of behaviour management, daily notices, education career planning, learning support, student data capture system.

Other technical installations include a state-of-the-art telephone system, whereby approximately fifty desktop and thirty-five portable phones ensure effective communications linking both internal and external personnel. A contemporary security system, including a camera surveillance area provides appropriate levels of security. Five high-speed digital photocopiers, a number of other printers and five point of sale terminals allows for the efficient and effective processing of data.

Outdoor educational facilities include a sports field encompassing two full soccer fields, one 400m running track and two 100m running tracks, two long jump pits, throw areas for discus and shotput, one all weather cricket pitch, two netball courts, five volleyball courts and one basketball half court. Furthermore, the school accesses a number of venues for other outdoor activities. These include six privately owned tennis courts adjacent to the school, two council leased cricket ovals, one leased rugby field, two leased soccer fields, two leased netball courts, one 50m and 25m swimming pool and also use of the Mooloolaba Beach and surf life saving club. School camps are presently conducted at Mapleton, Tallebudgera, Fraser Island and Stradbroke Island.

In 2000 the Parents & Citizens Association fully funded and constructed the Student Services Building, which houses P & C committee members, the Guidance Officer, Health Nurse, School Chaplain and other administrative staff.

Four sub-schools are strategically located throughout the campus, each accommodating approximately 27 members of teaching staff. Within each sub-school there are separate offices for middle management staff, administrative staff and a common staff room, kitchen and amenities. Additional staff rooms are located within the Administration Building, Student Services Building and Ancillary Staff Building.

The school is not equipped to provide dining facilities and residential accommodation for students.

The first aid room is located near the student reception area of the Administration Building and is closely supervised by administration staff. The room is well ventilated, has air conditioning, heating and access to water and toilet facilities. This facility is adequately equipped with furniture and basic emergency equipment, with first aid consumables locked when not in use. Additional first aid kits are available in each sub-school, manual arts, home economics, science, cafe, student centre, grounds, ancillary staff and other for use on school camps and excursions.

Since 1997, the implementation of split shift arrangements (Years 10 - 12 students from 7.30am - 12.55pm and Years 8 - 9 students from 10.30am - 4.05pm) has greatly reduced overburdening of existing facilities and grounds use.

Established garden beds and lawns are maintained to a very high standard. There are adequate wide concrete paths for use and a number of trees provide shade on the site. Bench seating is provided around rotundas and under covered areas, with other tables and seating placed near the Music block.

Recently re-furbished Creeker Café canteen facilities provide capacity to prepare on site and serve both student and staff lunches on a daily basis and also undertaking catering. The second canteen facility, the Swamp Café provides access for students to purchase other food not sold at the Creeker Café. These arrangements assist in reducing congestion around lunch times. There are twelve drink, chip and confectionery vending machines. Six machines are located at two sub-schools and six at the Creeker Café for use.

There are sufficient car parking facilities near each sub-school for staff use, as well as external parking for both student and community use. Designated disabled parking bays are located within and outside school grounds. School bus parking bays and student collection points are located at the front of the school.

The school complies with state government regulations regarding disabled access, fire and evacuation requirements.

The Registrar (Finance & Facilities) is responsible for supervising Groundsman x 1, Janitor/Groundsman x 1, casual Janitor x 1, Facilities Officer x 1, and approximately 12 cleaners. Maintenance is ongoing, with health and safety issues being addressed immediately. Some $150,000 is spent annually on the facilities grounds and equipment.

In the school strategic plan it is essential that allowance be made for the provision of additional specialist buildings to cater for the school’s large enrolment while at the same time taking into account the fact that school enrolment should stabilise at 1600 students by 2006.

Long range planning for the renovation of existing facilities and construction of additional facilities include increasing the size of the Resource Centre and Science preparation area, re-locating the existing kiln from the Art Block to a separate building, construction of an eight space permanent building, additional sporting ovals and school swimming pool.