Brisbane school set to be half-empty by term two due to lack of migration amid coronavirus pandemic

A Brisbane school that largely enrols migrant and refugee children faces being half-empty by term two next year, as Australian borders remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Milpera State High School in Chelmer is usually the first school children from non-English-speaking backgrounds attend when they arrive in Queensland.

Students spend between six weeks to two years at the school to improve their English before moving to another school.

Principal Julie Peel said the number of students could vary between 160 and 300.

“It fluctuates depending on the Federal Government policies…