Deniliquin High School students returned for Day 1, Term 1 2026 to a fully-equipped temporary campus, as the NSW Government works to swiftly address damage after a fire destroyed classrooms and the school library in late 2025.
Construction took place over the school holidays to ensure all students started the school year in the temporary facilities. The temporary campus includes 24 demountable classrooms, with fully equipped Technology and Applied Science workshops, science labs, a library and staff rooms. The buildings not affected by fire have been inspected and cleared for use.
Located on the school's grounds, the temporary campus has been designed to maintain playground space and preserve existing basketball courts for student use. Minor onsite works including deck installations, ramps, covered walkways, and connection of services will continue throughout Term 1 2026.
The Department of Education will continue to keep the school and broader Deniliquin community up to date as planning for the permanent rebuild progresses.
Separately, construction is also underway on a brand-new public preschool at nearby Deniliquin South Public School. The public preschool will accommodate up to 80 children per week and will open early 2027. The preschool will offer playrooms, an outside play space, an administration area, amenities, staff kitchen, and storage spaces.
As the biggest expansion of public preschools in the state's history, the Minns Labor Government's rollout of 100 new public preschools will provide access to high quality early learning for up to 9,000 children across NSW by 2027.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"The temporary facilities at Deniliquin High School will ensure continuity of quality education as the dedicated rebuild gets underway.
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting regional communities, and we will deliver a fit-for-purpose high school rebuild for local students.
"For far too long, families in Regional NSW had limited access to quality early childhood education. The new Deniliquin South Public Preschool will provide local families greater access to quality early learning close to home."
Member for Murray Helen Dalton said:
"The fire at Deniliquin High School was a shock to our community, and parents and students were concerned that the incident would prove incredibly disruptive.
"But the fast action by the Minns Government to build temporary facilities means this disruption has been largely avoided.
"This is a great outcome, and the Minns Government should be commended for stepping up so quickly to support the people of Deniliquin, following the High School fire."
Deniliquin High School Principal Glen Warren said:
"The past few months have been challenging for our whole school community, but the dedication and support we have received from the department, and the wider community is heartening.
"We are excited to welcome students back to a safe and well-equipped temporary campus."
