Nearly 1,000 students in Sydney's rapidly-growing north-west will be able to attend school locally from Term 1 next year, with three temporary schools opening as an urgent stopgap measure for the community while permanent facilities are built.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car and Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby today announced the Minns Labor Government's accelerated plans, which will address the severe lack of public schools in Sydney's north-west after twelve years of Coalition neglect.
The enrolment process for Term 1, 2024 will begin next month for the three new temporary schools, with capacity for:
400 year 7 and 8 students at the temporary high school in Marsden Park. It will be located on the corner of Galah Street and Rakali Parade, Melonba.
419 students at the temporary primary school in Nirimba Fields. It will be located on part of the permanent school site on the corner of Triton and Nabthorpe Parades.
150 students at the temporary primary school for Tallawong. It will be located at Riverstone Public School.
The temporary schools will meet student enrolment demand while permanent school facilities are built in Marsden Park/Melonba, Nirimba Fields, and Tallawong, to be completed from 2025, subject to planning approvals.
This will ensure that the parents of Marsden Park/Melonba, Nirimba Fields and Tallawong can enrol their children closer to home instead of having to spend hours on drop-off and pick-up.
Students will begin transitioning into the new permanent facilities, which will accommodate a total of 3,600 students, from 2025.
This announcement delivers on the Minns Government's election promise to fast-track the high school for Marsden Park, which is now on track to open permanent facilities in 2025.
The temporary high school will now open to both year 7 and 8 students in 2024, expanding on the original commitment to begin enrolments in the first year for year 7 only and ensuring current year 7 cohort will be able to access the school.
Each of the temporary schools will include fit-for-purpose classrooms, a canteen, library, administration facilities, bathrooms and playground space.
Development applications for the temporary schools will soon be submitted to Blacktown City Council. An information session for the Tallawong school will be held at Riverstone Public School on 8 June 2023.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"Children should not have to take long commutes to school. From next year, children in north-west Sydney will be able to focus on learning, not travelling."
"Families in north-west Sydney have waited too long for public schools to open close to home. The opening of these facilities means students can get started in Term 1 next year and be ready to move into the permanent buildings from 2025."
"This announcement provides certainty and relief for families who have been waiting since the previous government announced school projects in 2019 with nothing to show for it after four years."
"The former Liberal Government failed to deliver the schools that rapidly growing northwest Sydney needs. The Minns Government's plan will deliver new permanent schools, whilst ensuring temporary schools can provide the stopgap needed for families right now.
"After 12 years of neglect, the temporary schools will ensure students can learn close to home with minimal disruption whilst their permanent schools are built."
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:
"Our community is growing rapidly, and we are committed to delivering much-needed school infrastructure to support families in the area.
"It is vital that local public schools are available for students in our community, and that they are available sooner.
"These facilities will ensure we can meet increasing enrolment demand, and it means the first cohorts of students at these new schools can enjoy continuity of learning."
