Construction is today officially beginning on a new public high school in Medowie, the first new high school to be built in the Hunter Valley in more than 25 years.
The delivery of a new high school in Medowie fufills a key Labor election commitment, with the Minns Government delivering essential education infrastructure that will provide local families with access to a world-class public education close to home.
Progress on delivering the high school is in stark contrast to the neglect of the local community by the former Liberal-National Government who claimed there was no need for a new high school in Medowie despite significant population growth.
Medowie is the fastest growing suburb in the Port Stephens local government area, with the community's population expected to increase by more than 4,000 residents before 2040.
The new high school will feature 29 modern classrooms, specialist workshops and labs, a multipurpose hall, library, outdoor play areas and sport facilities. The school will welcome students on Day 1 Term 1 2027.
Since coming to office in 2023, the Minns Labor Government has worked hard to rebuild public education across NSW and deliver new education infrastructure across regional NSW including in the Hunter.
Major education infrastructure projects underway or completed across the Hunter include the recently finished upgrades at Hunter River High School and Irrawang High School, and upgrades to Newcastle High School, Gillieston Public School, and Thornton Public School. Planning is also underway for a new primary school and high school in Huntlee.
The Minns Labor Government is also putting more teachers at the front of classrooms, having reduced teacher vacancies by 61 per cent across the state, resulting in the number of cancelled classes in NSW nearly halving since the Minns Labor Government took office.
This follows a record $9 billion investment in the 2025-26 Budget for school infrastructure, including $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW, as part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to deliver better schools for NSW students.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"The new Medowie high school will be a game changer for the Hunter Valley community who will now have access to the world class new high school they deserve, close to home.
"As the son of a public school teacher I know that it's not just new schools that matter but also delivering the teachers in them to give our kids the best education and that's what we're doing by cutting teacher vacancies and halving the number of merged and cancelled classes in our state.
"Medowie has been waiting well over a decade for this moment and I especially want to acknowledge the tireless advocacy of Kate Washington and her community without whom this school would not be starting construction today."
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government, with the advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car and Kate Washington, is delivering the Port Stephens community the high school they've fought so long for.
"We're striving to rebuild public education across NSW, while the former Liberal-National Government repeatedly told this community a high school in Medowie was unnecessary.
"As its population grows, the Minns Government is investing in Port Stephens' future prosperity and demonstrating our commitment to ensuring every student has access to a world-class public education close to home."
Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:
"Today marks a massive milestone for Medowie, with construction set to start on a project we've fought for, for decades. It's a dream come true, thanks to the Minns Labor Government.
"The former Liberal-National Government spent more than a decade telling our community we didn't need a public high school here in Medowie.
"This school will transform our community. It will keep our kids connected to their community and give them the opportunities they deserve, right here at home."
Medowie Public School Principal Allison Thompson said:
"This is a milestone for students and families in Medowie. It's reassuring to know our graduates will have a seamless transition into secondary education, with a brand-new school designed to help them thrive."
