Schools in some of NSW's fastest-growing suburbs are receiving brand-new school infrastructure to begin Term 3, as the Minns Labor Government delivers on its promise to build the classrooms and facilities these communities deserve.
In Western Sydney, a major upgrade at Kingswood Public School is officially opening today, six months ahead of schedule, with permanent, modern classrooms replacing temporary, demountable classrooms.
Upgrading Kingswood Public School was a key election commitment by the Minns Labor Government and the Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, with the school's brand-new building featuring eight modern, permanent classrooms along with the refurbishment of 13 classrooms.
The new classrooms replace all of the demountables on site placed by the former Liberal-National Government, some of which are almost a decade old. Their removal returns valuable open play space to students.
Other work that has been delivered across NSW for the beginning of Term 3 includes new sports courts and walkways at Concord High School, completing the Minns Labor Government's major redevelopment of the school, a new sports court at Wollumbin High School, a new support unit at Moruya High School, and a new toilet block and refurbished sick bay at Northbridge Public School.
The work to build permanent, modern classrooms and upgrade schools delivers on the Minns Labor Government's commitment to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education, close to home, and to end the Liberals and Nationals' overreliance on demountable classrooms.
Students across NSW now have more room to learn and play, after the removal of more than 650 temporary, demountable classrooms from school sites since the election of the Minns Labor Government.
During their 12 years in office, the Liberals and Nationals oversaw a 35 per cent increase in the number of demountables on school sites.
In Western Sydney permanent, modern classrooms have replaced long-standing demountable classrooms at schools including Birrong Girls High School, Carlingford West Public School, Cumberland High School, Darcy Road Public School, Dundas Public School, Girraween Public School, Kingswood Public School, Newington Public School, Northmead Public School, and Schofields Public School.
Over the next four years the Minns Labor Government will deliver a record $9.2 billion investment in school infrastructure, including $4.1 billion for new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.
This historic investment is a $600 million increase on the education infrastructure budget left behind by the Liberals and Nationals, as the Minns Labor Government works to deliver the schools our fastest-growing communities need.
School infrastructure investment is focussed on growth areas including Austral, Bella Vista, East Cobbitty, Oran Park, Orchard Hills, Marsden Park, Menangle Park, and Spring Farm.
In addition to ensuring students have modern classrooms and schools, the Minns Labor Government has transitioned more than 25,000 teachers and school support staff from uncertain temporary contracts to permanent employment.
This follows the Minns Labor Government's move to abolish the Liberals and Nationals' wages cap, delivering NSW teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.
This reform is attracting teachers into public schools and helping retain those already there, with teacher vacancies at a 12-year low and the number of merged and cancelled classes in NSW halving since the election of the Minns Labor Government.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
"Giving kids the best start in life begins with a quality education. We said we'd remove the demountables at Kingswood Public School and today we're delivering on that promise.
"Every child deserves to learn in a modern classroom with a permanent, well-paid teacher. Over the past three years that's what we've been working hard to deliver and we're starting to see the results.
"Investing in public education in areas like Western Sydney where it's needed most isn't just a line item in the budget. It's an investment in a brighter future for the next generation."
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"The Minns Labor Government is reversing 12 years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals, delivering the classrooms and schools that families and students across Western Sydney deserve.
"This transformation at Kingswood Public School shows the difference between a Labor Government investing in permanent school infrastructure and the Liberals using demountables as a band-aid solution.
"By delivering our historic infrastructure investment alongside permanent, secure jobs for teachers, we're establishing the settled, productive classrooms required to lift student outcomes."
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:
"The Kingswood community asked for better school facilities, and we listened. These world-class facilities will support generations of students and ensure Kingswood Public School continues to deliver excellence.
"We promised to replace every ageing demountable that the Liberals put on the school site and I'm proud the Minns Labor Government has delivered."
Principal of Kingswood Public School Norma Petrocco said:
"We want to thank the families and community members who advocated for this project and helped make it possible. Students will benefit from these improvements for years to come.
"This completed upgrade is a boost for our students and dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to inspire and nurture them through their schooling."
