The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver for families in Sydney's North-West, with major construction now underway on the upgrade of The Ponds High School that will replace almost a decade of reliance on demountable classrooms and deliver modern, permanent facilities for local families.
With more than 2,000 students, this high school has borne the brunt of the former Liberal National Government's failure to build school infrastructure to keep up with housing growth in Sydney's North-West over the past decade.
The Ponds High School has experienced extraordinary enrolment growth since opening in 2015. Within two years, enrolments outstripped the school's permanent capacity, leading to the first demountable classrooms being installed in 2017 by the former government. As of today, there are more than 50 demountable classrooms on the school site.
Demountable classrooms will soon be replaced with 50 new permanent classrooms, including 30 general learning classrooms, three support classrooms and 17 specialist classrooms. Two VET kitchens, two science labs, three wood and metal workshops and a lecture theatre will also be delivered as part of the upgrade.
Once completed by Day 1, Term 1 2028, the school will have 106 permanent classrooms, doubling its permanent capacity.
Construction of the first stage of the project, a new futsal court, was completed in late June. With those supporting works now finished, major construction has now commenced on the next stage of the project, delivering the new classroom buildings.
The upgrade also includes an extension to the northern car park providing upgraded sports facilities, new relocated cricket nets, improvements to the school's outdoor areas and 50 additional parking spaces.
As demountables are progressively removed following completion of the new buildings, students will gain up to 7,000 square metres of additional play space, returning a significant amount of play space back to students.
Across NSW, more than 650 demountable classrooms have already been removed from public schools since the Minns Labor Government was elected, replacing temporary facilities with modern, permanent learning environments.
The upgrade forms part of the Minns Labor Government's record investment in public education, with $9.2 billion committed to school infrastructure over the next four years, including $4.1 billion for new and upgraded schools across Western Sydney.
In Sydney's North-West, this includes 25 new and upgraded schools recently delivered or underway. These projects are part of the Minns Labor Government's work to ensure families in North-West Sydney can access a world-class public education close to home.
Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
"The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its election commitment to provide the major upgrade the school community has long been calling for.
"Parents shouldn't have to look outside their local public school to access state-of-the-art facilities, and this is exactly what we're delivering through this major upgrade.
"The Minns Labor Government is rebuilding public education by investing in the schools, classrooms and facilities our communities need, so every child can attend a great local public school close to home."
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby said:
"This upgrade is a major investment in our children's future delivering 50 new permanent classrooms, specialist learning facilities, better sporting amenities and thousands of square metres of additional play space.
"Major construction is now underway, and we are getting on with the job of delivering the modern, permanent facilities local families deserve. This is what responsible government looks like; building quality schools the families in our area deserve."
The Ponds High School Principal Jennifer Weal said:
"This is an exciting milestone for our entire school community and one that our students, staff and families have been looking forward to.
"The upgraded facilities will provide contemporary learning environments that support outstanding teaching and learning, helping our students thrive now and into the future."
