Students in Box Hill will soon be able to attend a local public high school as the Minns Labor Government gets on with the job of fast-tracking new schools in one of Sydney's fastest-growing communities.
Demountable classrooms are now being installed at the temporary Box Hill High School site in time to open to students on Day 1, Term 1 2026. The buildings were relocated from the temporary Melonba High School site to urgently meet enrolment demand while the new permanent facilities are built.
The new high school, the first public high school for the area, will be co-located with Box Hill Public School on George Street while the permanent facilities are built at Terry Road. Mrs Suada Bilali has been appointed as Principal of the new school, marking another milestone as the school prepares to welcome its first cohort of students next year.
Both the primary and secondary schools will be the first dedicated public schools to open in Box Hill - a community that saw its student population explode by more than 1,000 per cent between 2018 and 2023, according to the NSW Enrolment Growth Audit released last year.
Work will continue over the summer to complete the fit-out of the temporary Box Hill High School facilities which includes 12 temporary classrooms, a library, art room, canteen and science lab, admin spaces and amenities, staff room, a wood and metal workshop, two Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) kitchens, a change room, music room and play space and shaded areas.
The new temporary Box Hill High School will initially cater to Year 7 students and will grow to accommodate up to 300 Year 7 and 8 students the following year. This staggered enrolment approach will support a smooth transition for students as the permanent school is constructed and opened for Day 1, Term 1 2028.
The removal of demountables from the temporary Melonba High School site will also free up space for the new Melonba Public Preschool being delivered as part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to build 100 new public preschools. Construction on the new public preschool is anticipated to commence in mid-2026.
Families campaigned to prioritise the opening of public schools in Box Hill after the Liberal National government delivered nothing over 12 long years, despite the suburb's rapid growth.
Last year Liberal MP Robyn Preston told the media she didn't have an answer as to why the former Liberal government did not deliver a school in Box Hill in their 12 years in government.
Across The Hills, the Minns Labor Government's investment in new school infrastructure will deliver approximately 240 new permanent classrooms, providing capacity for 5,500 more students.
The projects expanding student capacity and access to public schools in The Hills area include:
- Box Hill Public School and public preschool - new permanent school
- Box Hill High School - new permanent school
- Gables Public School and public preschool - new school
- Excelsior Public School - upgrade
- Rouse Hill High School - upgrade
- Matthew Pearce Public School - upgrade (completed)
- Castle Hill Public School - upgrade (completed).
The NSW Government has also confirmed the George Street site will be retained by the Department of Education for a future school for Box Hill once the permanent schools open on Terry Road in 2028.
The NSW Government's record $9 billion school infrastructure investment includes $3.9 billion for new and upgraded schools across Western Sydney.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said:
"The building of a new high school for Box Hill is finally coming together after the needs of local families were ignored by the former Liberal National government for more than a decade.
"Deputy Premier Prue Car fast-tracked the delivery of new public schools for the area as an urgent stop-gap measure because our government knew the community couldn't wait any longer.
"The Minns Labor Government has already accelerated the delivery of Box Hill Public School in record time, and now we are delivering on our commitment to provide local families earlier access to a local public high school while permanent facilities are built."
Federal Attorney-General and Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland said:
"Labor understands how important public education is for affording children the best opportunities in life.
"This high school is a game-changer for Box Hill families who can now continue raising their kids in the local community where they live.
"Working together, the Albanese and Minns Labor governments are delivering for families across North West Sydney, ensuring they have access to the vital education facilities they need, close to home."
Box Hill High School Principal Suada Bilali said:
"The arrival of demountables at our new temporary school site represents a significant milestone in our Box Hill High School community's journey.
"We are beyond excited to welcome our Year 7 students on Day 1, Term 1 next year, with these modern demountable classrooms and facilities providing a comfortable learning environment while our permanent school is built.
"Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible for our students, and these new temporary facilities are a testament to our dedication to delivering continuity and excellence in teaching and learning from day one."
