Construction is now underway at Jerrabomberra High School to double the school's capacity as part of the Minns Labor Government's work to rebuild public education and ensure families in the growing Monaro region have access to world class public schools for years to come.
The expansion of Jerrabomberra High School was a 2023 Labor election commitment to address surging enrolment demand in the area, after the high school opened in 2024 for 500 students.
The major project will expand the capacity of the school to 1,000 students when it opens on Day 1, Term 1, 2027, delivering a new building with 18 additional classrooms, a vocational education and training (VET) kitchen and a semi-commercial kitchen, new staff facilities, a multimedia workshop, studio and store, an additional woodwork workshop, a new science laboratory and a new shade structure.
The additional classrooms being delivered will bring the total number of permanent classrooms at the school to 42 - future-proofing the school for the growing population in the area amid rapid housing development in South Jerrabomberra and Googong.
The expanded capacity at Jerrabomberra High School will continue to support this growth and ensure local students have a place at a world-class public school close to home.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education and Member for Monaro Steve Whan marked the start of construction with a sod turn - the third sod Minister Whan has turned on a major school project in Monaro in the past week, following sod turns for the brand-new high school in Googong and Bungendore High School's long-awaited new permanent school.
The projects are part of a raft of school infrastructure projects the Minns Labor Government is delivering across the Monaro region, which include:
- Jerrabomberra High School expansion
- Jindabyne Education Campus (delivered) and new public preschool
- New high school in Bungendore
- New high school in Googong
- New public school and preschool in Googong
- Queanbeyan East Public School - new public preschool
- Queanbeyan South Public School - new public preschool.
These projects are part of the NSW Government's plan to rebuild public education, with the 2025-26 Budget delivering $2.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW.
In addition to delivering new and upgraded schools, Labor's work to rebuild public education includes putting more teachers in front of students, with teacher vacancies down 61 per cent and the number of cancelled classes nearly halving since the Minns Government took office.
This targeted investment will ensure growing communities across NSW get access to a world class public education close to home.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education and Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:
"The expansion of the new Jerrabomberra High School and construction of a new high school in Googong were key commitments I made during the election. I thank the local community for their advocacy and passion that has helped us deliver the new schools this growing community needs.
"Making these investments in public education means our community can access public education closer to home, now and into the future.
"I look forward to seeing the expansion of Jerrabomberra High School take shape and the benefits this world-class public school will give to our local families. I would like to put on record thanks to principal Scott O'Hara, staff and the P&C who have been closely involved in the design of stage 2 to ensure the community gets the facility it needs."
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The people of Jerrabomberra fought hard for a local high school large enough for their growing community-and that's exactly what the Minns Labor Government is delivering with this much-needed high school expansion.
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering on our election commitments for much needed school infrastructure as a result of the tireless work of Education Minister and Deputy Premier Prue Car.
"As part of the Minns Labor Government's work to rebuild public education in NSW, we have made record investments in new and upgraded schools for growing communities in regional NSW like Jerrabomberra, ensuring every child can access a world-class public education close to home."
Jerrabomberra High School Principal Scott O'Hara said:
"This is an incredibly exciting milestone for our school community who will soon have an even bigger school to continue to learn, grow and thrive.
"These expanded facilities will ensure that every young person here has access to the opportunities they deserve and give our teachers the resources they need to deliver the very best education.
"We can't wait to see our new facilities come to life and look forward to the opening in 2027."
