Gladstone South State School opened in 1898 at Parson’s Point to accommodate workers and their families who had commenced work at the meatworks, which started production on 24 May 1896. This was the result of a few concerned citizens at Parsons Point who decided it was time to establish a school to cater for the educational needs of meatworkers’ children. A provisional school was built at Parsons Point in 1898 and opened on 1 August 1898. The provisional school became Parsons Point State School in early 1913. A second site was offered for a new school – an acre of land adjacent to the road leading to the meatworks, about 400 yards from the present school. The new school was opened in 1915. In October 1934, land bordered by Little, Toolooa, Derby and Ann Streets was offered as a possible site for the relocation of the school. Finally, in 1945, the school was moved to its present location in Toolooa Street and renamed South Gladstone State School.
During the 1980’s the name was changed from South Gladstone State School to Gladstone South State School. Using Gladstone as a pre-fix confirmed with three out of the other five state primary and secondary schools in Gladstone. A highlight of the eighties was the opening of the school swimming pool and Gladstone South still boasts being the only primary school in the Gladstone City area that has its own swimming facilities. A school dental clinic was opened in 1981.
Gladstone South State School – a place of learning where thousands of children and many dedicated teachers have passed through its gates. Past and present students will all leave with their own personal memories but all would agree they are better and wiser for the time they have spent at South.