Sheldon College on Friday unveiled its new, $15 million education centre in a ceremony attended by Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Lynne Cosgrove.
Called the LINQ (Learning and Innovation for a New Queensland) Precinct, the state-of-the-art facility provides students with a globally-connected, digital learning environment and opportunities to become Australia's innovators and entrepreneurs of the future.
Built over two storeys, the LINQ Precinct, with robotics, engineering and computer-aided design labs and a fully-functional workshop plus lecture theatre, an industry-standard film and television studio and accompanying editing suites, enables students to progress a project from original design concept to production, marketing and dispatch.
In his address to parents, students, and invited guests and dignitaries, Sir Peter said the precinct would be "one of the most outstanding educational facilities in the nation".
He said the learning opportunities of the kind available through the LINQ Precinct were "vital for the future of young Australians and the future of Australia".
"There is no doubt that this new LINQ Precinct is a wonderful, new facility and an important addition to Sheldon College, on the leading edge of education in Australia, and a very great credit to the school community," he said.
Sheldon College founder and principal Dr Lyn Bishop said students were excited and enthusiastic about the new facility.
"They love it because they control the learning agenda with the teacher acting as facilitator and co-learner," Dr Bishop said.
"We are providing them with the necessary skills that they need in order to become worthwhile and contributing members of their society."
Dr Bishop said parents of the college had also enquired about adult education classes at the facility.
"They want to come in and learn how to prototype, engage in robotics, and develop computer-aided design and video production skills," she said.
"Many of these parents have never had these opportunities in their own education.
"The future may well see students and parents working together in a mutually stimulating learning environment."
