Families in Sydney's North West are set to benefit from three new public schools and two new public preschools in Box Hill and Gables, as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver world-class education to one of the fastest growing suburbs in the state.
Today the NSW Government is beginning construction on a new primary school and preschool in Gables and Box Hill area, and revealing the designs for a new primary school, high school and public preschool in Box Hill, while also expanding access to a temporary school in the area.
Once complete, these three schools will cater for more than 3,000 local students in The Hills, with room to grow as the local community continues to expand.
Construction underway on a new public school and preschool in Gables
Construction has officially started on a brand new public primary school and public preschool in Gables. Located at 1 Pennant Way, the new school will cater for 1,000 students.
A public preschool will also be delivered on-site, providing quality, fee-free early learning for up to 120 children per week, and allowing families with kids in preschool and school to avoid the double drop off.
Both the public primary school and public preschool will open to students for Day 1, Term 1 2027.
Designs revealed of new Box Hill permanent schools and a new public preschool
Designs are also being revealed for new permanent public schools in Box Hill - including a public preschool, primary school, and high school - all three of which will open on Day 1, Term 1 2028.
All schools and preschool will be co-located on Terry Road, Box Hill, easing the pressure of drop-off and pick-up for local families.
When opened, both the new primary and high schools will cater for 1,000 students each, with the room for the high school to expand as the student cohort grows. A public preschool will also be delivered on-site, providing quality, fee-free early learning for up to 120 children per week.
Minns Government fast-tracks public education access in Box Hill
The Minns Labor Government is also expanding access to the temporary Box Hill Public School that opened to Kindergarten to Year 2 students on Day 1, Term 1 this year.
From Day 1, Term 3 this year, it will now welcome students from Years 3 to 6, providing a world class education to even more students while their permanent school is built.
This temporary school was built by the Minns Labor Government in a record 45 days.
An additional temporary high school is also being built on the same site as the temporary primary school.
From Day 1, Term 1 2026, the temporary Box Hill High School will open for Year 7 students, and the school will grow as more classes are added in subsequent years.
Record Investment in North West schools and preschools
Box Hill and Gables was identified by the Government's Enrolment Growth Audit as one of the top 10 areas for student growth in the state.
The former Liberal National Government failed to deliver any public schools for this area over their 12 years in government, despite student enrolments growing from 119 in 2018, to 1,445 in 2023 - a 1,114 per cent increase.
These new public schools and preschools build on the Minns Labor Government's major investment in school infrastructure across The Hills area, with seven new and upgraded schools delivering approximately 240 new permanent classrooms and providing capacity for 5,500 students.
The projects expanding student capacity and access to public schools in The Hills area include:
- New primary school and public preschool in Gables
- Major upgrade at Excelsior Public School
- Major upgrade at Rouse Hill High School
- New Box Hill Public School and public preschool
- New Box Hill High School
- Major upgrade at Matthew Pearce Public School
- Major upgrade at Castle Hill Public School
These three schools are a part of the Minns Labor Government's record $9 billion investment in public school infrastructure across NSW over the next four years. This includes a commitment to deliver 100 public preschools by 2027, with 51 to be built in Western Sydney.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"My father was a public school teacher so I know how important world class public education is, but it starts with having local public schools built in growing communities like this.
"Thousands of families moved into this area on the promise of new schools that were never delivered by the former government - we're delivering those schools, with construction underway and doors set to open for thousands of local kids.
"This is all part of our plan to deliver a world class education for every child in NSW by delivering new and upgraded schools and fee-free preschools while investing in our teachers through a historic pay rise that has seen a 40 per cent drop in teacher vacancies since we were elected."
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, and Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government, with the strong advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car, is committed to rebuilding public education to provide local communities with free high-quality education.
"The Liberals and Nationals failed communities right across The Hills because they didn't properly plan for essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals that families in these growing suburbs need.
"Every child deserves access to a great local public school, and these schools are being delivered as quickly as possible for the local community who have fought hard to have their educational needs met."
Federal Attorney-General and Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland said:
"I'm proud to see the first sod turned on a new public school that will become a hub for the Gables community.
"This school is not just bricks and mortar-it's an investment in the future of our children and something this community has waited years for.
"I'm thrilled to see this project forging ahead and I look forward to seeing the finished product that will benefit families in our growing community for generations to come."
