Students and staff at Bowral High School are celebrating the opening of a brand new creative and performing arts centre delivered as part of the Minns Labor Government's $100 million program of upgrades bringing high potential and gifted education opportunities to schools across NSW.
The new arts centre - nicknamed 'The Theatre' - will be a new hub for students to develop production skills, along with dance, drama, music, debating and movie-making opportunities.
Industry-standard facilities include tiered seating, the latest audio-visual equipment, and a mirrored dance studio.
Teachers at the school will receive dedicated professional learning to support the high potential and gifted education programs and opportunities at the school, making full use of the arts centre.
The arts centre will also be shared with local primary schools as a resource for all students in the Southern Highlands.
As part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to ensure students in every school across NSW have access to high potential and gifted education opportunities, the $6 million upgrade at Bowral High School also includes upgrades to specialist classrooms:
- Hospitality classrooms fitted out to industry standard
- Visual arts classrooms and science labs
- Wood and metal work rooms
These upgrades ensure local students are learning in state-of-the-art classrooms, enabling them to achieve their full potential.
Bowral High School is one of the 33 schools across NSW to receive a share of a $100 million investment from the Minns Labor Government as part of the high potential and gifted education partner schools' program.
The program is delivering upgrades and improvements to facilities such as science and technology laboratories, libraries, creative arts spaces, sporting facilities and design workshops, enabling the schools to deliver talent development and extension opportunities across a range of subject areas.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The completion of this exciting new facility is the first of several upgrades the Minns Labor Government is delivering to Bowral High School to support every child to reach their full potential.
"Bowral High School is just one of the schools across the state to benefit from our commitment to deliver high potential and gifted education opportunities to all NSW public school students."
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan said:
"This major improvement to Bowral High School is a welcome addition to the Southern Highlands.
"I'm sure teachers and students at our local primary schools will relish the opportunity to use this amazing new facility too.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what the students will be able to produce and a greater impact on the community as a result."
Principal of Bowral High School Safija Bristina said:
"Students at the school are excited and there is a buzz in the air of enormous approval.
"We can bring back dance lessons and develop our students' talent further, as well using it as a gallery for HSC major works and performances."
