The New South Wales Government is ramping up work on 13 new and upgraded schools in Greater Western Sydney as part of its $44.2 billion investment in building public schools.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes made the announcement in Narellan on Monday, where the NSW Government is building the new $22.5 million Yandelora School for students with a range of disabilities requiring intensive levels of support.
“Greater Western Sydney is growing and we are investing record amounts to ensure children in these areas have the best quality education possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“These projects will expand schools by at least 3500 more student places – while also generating valuable jobs in the construction industry.”
Among the 13 projects, worth a combined $220 million, are upgrades of the existing selective Hurlstone Agricultural High School at Glenfield (to be known as Roy Watts High School); improvements to Ingleburn and Fairvale high schools; and upgrades of Cecil Hills, Claremont Meadows, Greystanes, Marsden Road, Merrylands, Parramatta West, Pendle Hill, William Stimson and Yagoona public schools.
Mr Stokes said the new projects were evidence of the benefits for communities of the NSW Government’s $44.2 billion investment over four years on more than 120 schools across the State.
“This rebuild of schools in Sydney’s west will make a real difference to families and the quality of education for their children,” Mr Stokes said.
The new Yandelora School will include 16 technology-enabled classrooms with purpose-built amenities, a hydrotherapy pool, multi-purpose spaces for shared learning and special programs and modern administration and staff facilities.
Work started last month on the new block at the selective Hurlstone Agricultural High School at Glenfield which will include five science laboratories and supporting spaces, woodwork and metalwork facilities, food and textile learning spaces and refurbishment of staff facilities.
The 13 projects where work is to begin in 2018 are in addition to others already underway in Sydney’s west, including the new Arthur Phillip High School, Parramatta Public School and the new Oran Park High School.
Since 2011, the NSW Government has committed $11.75 billion to over 70 new and upgraded school projects in Western Sydney.