THE SCHOOL CAMPUS was established in 1981 in the rural township of Warwick in Queensland (Australia).

The campus currently comprises seven classroom buildings.

Four of these are of a unique design, each housing three hexagonally shaped classrooms surrounding central courtyards which allow light to enter the classrooms from at least three sides — bringing “the outside in” and providing visual contact between groups within the same building.

The Time Out Centre is housed in the old Middle Ridge State School building (this was transported from Toowoomba in 1987).

An administration building near the entrance and carpark contains the School offices and reception as well as two additional class rooms.

The fifth building was formerly the Goondiwindi Post Office and was purchased by the School and moved to its current location in 1991. This historic timber building houses three classrooms as well as the Film and TV department.

The most recent building is the Peace Building, so-named to reflect the emphasis in the School’s program on education for peace, conflict resolution and inner peace. It was opened in 2003 and houses Year 11 and Year 12 classes as well as Year 7, the German Room and Secondary Computer Lab.

The School campus provides a variety of outdoor spaces including two playing fields, a playground which incorporates a magnificent tree house and grassed areas for play and recreation.

The campus is situated on the northern boundary of the urban area of Warwick, with open farmland within a few minutes walk from the School.

Garden areas have been planted with Australian native trees and shrubs and there are areas of undeveloped “bush” adjacent to the School grounds.

The Residential Community

A residential community has developed with the School on the same 20 acre property, to provide housing for teachers and families or individuals associated with the School.

Housing in the community comprises Group Title developments as well as standard house blocks on separate titles. Each dwelling and yard space is individually owned, and respected as private space even though there are no fences.

A unique and wholesome lifestyle has been developed in the community, inspired initially by some of the ideals of the School, and sustained by genuine respect and friendships.

Residents enjoy a number of benefits: Travel to and from School is very easy. The children also appreciate having friends nearby, and parents feel confident that the neighbourhood is safe and friendly. The group title arrangements have allowed the development of “common land” so the estate has a network of private roads, walking tracks, playgrounds and barbeque areas, as well as parkland and bushland. These amenities are available to all residents by mutual agreement. This makes for a relatively large and safe environment for children and families. It also facilitates a greater level of community life for those who appreciate that lifestyle.

Living in this community adjacent to the School is an option which families can explore if and when it interests them.

More About Warwick

Warwick, Queensland’s second oldest city established in 1840, is the hub of the Southern Darling Downs. It is a provincial city of approximately 10,000 people, sited on the Condamine river at the head of Australia’s longest river system.

Warwick is just two hours drive from the cosmopolitan vigour of Brisbane, Queensland’s state capital, and an hour away from Toowoomba, Queensland’s major regional centre of 90,000 people.

The Southern Downs and Granite Belt regions contain beautiful national parks and wilderness areas and boast a year round pleasant climate.

More information about Warwick can be found on the Warwick Shire Council’s web site.

Copyright The School of Total Education 2006.