The Minns Labor Government is delivering new schools and vital infrastructure upgrades across the growing Wollondilly area to ensure local students have access to world-class public schools with excellent facilities and opportunities.
The school infrastructure Labor is delivering for the area includes brand new schools in Wilton, upgrades at Bowral High School and Picton High School to improve student opportunities and outcomes, and vital maintenance work to ensure existing schools provide a high-quality learning environment.
Bowral High School has recently celebrated the opening of their new industry-standard creative and performing arts centre, dubbed 'The Theatre', as part of a commitment to enhance high potential and gifted education (HPGE) opportunities for students.
The state-of-the-art performing arts space provides students opportunities to develop backstage skills, along with public-facing drama, dance, music, debating and movie making opportunities. 'The Theatre' is also available for public school students across the Southern Highlands region to use.
As part of the NSW Government's commitment to provide HPGE opportunities at all NSW public schools, teachers at Bowral High School are receiving targeted training to ensure best use of the new performing arts centre.
The Bowral High School upgrade also includes visual arts and science classrooms, hospitality facilities fitted out to industry standard, wood and metal work rooms.
At Picton High School, a recent upgrade has transformed unworkable learning spaces delivered under the failed open-plan learning experiment of the former Liberal National government into 26 state-of-the-art classrooms, as well as seven new staff and seminar rooms.
Construction is also underway on the new high school, public primary school and public preschool for the growing community of Wilton, with all three set to open Day 1, Term 1, 2027.
In addition to the new and upgraded schools, there are currently more than 15 maintenance and minor works projects underway in Wollondilly's existing public schools to ensure students have a great environment to learn in.
The projects are part of the Minns Labor Government's record $9 billion investment in new and upgraded schools.
Students in Wollondilly are also benefiting from more teachers in the classroom with local schools starting the year with 66.6% fewer vacancies compared to peak of the teacher shortage crisis overseen by the former Liberal National Government.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
"The upgrades at Bowral High School, including the cutting-edge performing arts centre and specialist classrooms, reflect our commitment to help every student reach their potential.
"Our investment in projects at schools across the Wollondilly electorate represents a real step forward for education across the Southern Highlands.
"We are delivering first-class facilities for Wollondilly and the Southern Highlands as we rebuild public education in New South Wales."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring every child in NSW has access to the lifechanging benefits of a world-class public education close to home.
"That is why we are building new schools in growing communities where they are needed most, and delivering upgrades to ensure our schools continue to provide students with world-class opportunities and an excellent environment for learning.
"The work of rebuilding public education is also in recognising the value of our teachers and thanks to our historic wage rise, teacher vacancies are now at a 12-year low."
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan said:
"We have not had any improvements to education in Wollondilly for 70 years. Thanks to the NSW Government, Wollondilly families have brilliant facilities and deserve it.
"I look forward to the much anticipated opening of Wilton High School, Wilton preschool and Public School with students in place at the start of next year.
"I am pleased Bowral High School now offers a comprehensive High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program designed to nurture student talents across academic, creative, sporting, and social-emotional domains. I thank the NSW Department of Education for allocating $8 million to upgrade Bowral High School for this purpose.
"Tangara School in Renwick has an additional classroom for students with special needs.
"Picton High school upgrade now has functional classroom walls and a new school hall. I know educators are enthusiastic about teaching our local students - clambering to get a teaching position in our local schools, rather than running from Wollondilly to teaching jobs outside of Wollondilly.
"I appreciate working with The Hon. Prue Car and the Premier. I hope the state government's commitment to Wollondilly's educational future and investment continues. I look forward to more education project announcements in the Wollondilly electorate."
Safija Bristina, Bowral High School Relieving Principal said:
"We are thrilled with our new creative and performing arts centre, 'The Theatre', a state-of-the-art facility and the best performing arts space in the Southern Highlands, endorsed by industry experts.
"It provides our students with top-tier, industry-standard resources to nurture their talents in dance, drama, music, and more.
"This fantastic space not only enhances our high potential and gifted education programs but also allows us to engage with local primary schools, strengthening our community ties."
Luke Farthing, Picton High School Principal said:
"We have an extensive range of curriculum offerings at our school that require specialist rooms and facilities.
"This project has increased the number of functional, separated classrooms, and that means we can expand curriculum opportunities for our students."
