Schools across NSW are opening their gates for the public to access outdoor facilities outside of school hours every day of the week, in a trial allowing families and communities greater access to green space.
This trial, conducted in 11 schools across the state, will open up school ovals, sports courts and playgrounds for the public to use for personal and recreational use, giving people access to space that has been off limits for many years.
Participating schools include:
- Kogarah High School
- Bardwell Park Infants School
- Delegate Public School
- Hernani Public School
- Kambora Public School
- Manly West Public School
- Menindee Central School
- Roseville Public School
- Seaforth Public School
- Strathfield Girls High School
- Teralba Public School
The NSW Government’s existing shared spaces program already opens up almost 200 schools’ outdoor facilities during school holidays for public use, however, it does not permit the opening of ovals outside of school holidays.
“Unlocking this extra green space outside of school hours is especially important at a time when we are encouraging more young people to get off their devices and to get active, following the introduction of mobile phone bans in schools and social media restrictions,” the government said.
“The shared spaces trial will also provide more critical green space and outdoor recreation as we continue to build much needed new homes and apartments for young people and families across the state.”
Kogarah High School is one of the schools opening its sports field for community access as part of this trial, following a recent upgrade.
The sports field, which had been shared between the school and the public outside of school hours for decades until this was ended under the former government, has been upgraded to provide students and the community with a safer environment to learn, play and exercise in.
Fencing has been replaced on several sides of the field to improve safety and access to residents, and two new stair entrances and an access ramp and gate have been installed to improved accessibility.
The sports field will be open to the public from 4pm to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 8pm on weekends. During school holidays, it will be open to the public from 8am to 8pm every day.
Upgrades on nearby Kogarah Public School are also progressing. This upgrade will include the construction of 24 new classrooms in a three-storey building, a new multipurpose hall and the removal of 10 demountable classrooms.
The upgrades are part of the NSW Government’s plan to rebuild public education, with record education funding in the 2024-25 Budget including $8.9 billion for new and upgraded schools to ensure all children in NSW have access to a world-class public education.
A full list of schools taking part in the Share Our Space program, including the trial, can be accessed on the School Infrastructure NSW website.
“I’ve never been a fan of locking up school grounds to the public. I want kids and families to be able to use the grounds outside of school hours,” NSW Premier and Member for Kogarah Chris Minns said.
“It seems like a waste to keep hundreds of school ovals locked up at night, over the weekends and during school holidays.
“It’s why we’re throwing the gates of this public land open – it means people who live in apartments have more space to enjoy the outdoors, and kids have more options to get off their devices and play outside.
“I’m really pleased that one of the schools taking part in this trial is Kogarah High School who are also getting to enjoy an upgraded oval, with new fences, gates, stairs and an access ramp, ensuring this space is accessible to all who wish to enjoy it.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the new trial of the Share Our Space program will give people across the state greater access to green spaces throughout the school term.
“The upgrade to nearby Kogarah Public School is part of the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild public education, which includes record funding for new and upgraded schools that ensure all children have access to a high-quality public education.”
