Garbutt State School was officially opened in 1932 and celebrated its 75th Jubilee in 2007. The school motto is 'Smart and Strong'. The school is near the Townsville Airport and historically had close connections to the Australian Defence Force Families who lived in the suburb. Students who now attend our school come from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Our school has a strong commitment to reconciliation and the promotion of culture and inclusion within our school community. Our students have access to many and varied learning programs including award-winning Chaplaincy and Middle Phase Science Programs. Current and future projects involvement includes Believe, Achieve and Succeed Strategy, National Literacy and Numeracy Partnership Agreement, Low SES Schools, Communities for Children. For the last term of 2010 and a future initiative for 2011 is to integrate computers into every student's learning. Also changes are being made to include leadership development skills. Major highlights over the years have been winning three National Literacy Awards in 1999, 2000 and 2001.