The NSW Government has unveiled a $20 million upgrade at Punchbowl Public as work starts across 21 other school sites.
Principal, Donna McGeary says she couldn’t stop smiling when describing the effect of the building makeover on her students.
“When you see the faces of the children walking in every day, they are so proud and excited to be coming here,” she said.
“Our Year 3, 4 and 5 students have moved into their modern classrooms and it’s a real hub of learning.”
The upgrade includes a new two-storey building with eight classrooms and a secure school entrance for almost 600 students and preschoolers.
NSW Premier, Chris Minns, officiated at the ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the upgrade with Punchbowl Public School student leaders, local MP, Jihad Dib, and Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, Courtney Houssos.
“Right across NSW we are delivering a record number of new and upgraded schools for growing suburbs that haven’t had access to world class schools for far too long,” said Mr Minns.
“We aren’t just investing in new and upgraded schools, we’re also delivering more teachers through a 40% drop in teacher vacancies that has nearly halved the number of cancelled classes recorded each week in NSW since we were elected.
“From this state-of-the-art upgrade to the 21 new and upgraded schools we’re beginning construction on this term, we’re not slowing down delivering the largest investment in public schools in NSW history.”
Education Secretary, Murat Dizdar said Punchbowl Public School had been providing public education for 100 years and “these world-class facilities will stand the test of time”.
He also welcomed back students and school staff to Term 3, noting that “every term and every day counts” and gave a shoutout to HSC students now in their final term of formal learning.
Mr Dib said the upgrade provided students with the best facilities “to get the best education possible”.
“I know the difference it can make. It lifts students, it lifts teachers, it lifts the community,” he said.
The new building at Punchbowl Public School has been constructed with sustainability in mind, and features recycled concrete, solar panels, and energy and water-efficient fixtures. It also has a lift for accessibility access.
The project celebrates multiculturism in a school where 94% of students are from a Language Background other than English.
The word ‘welcome’ on the new front entry gate is written in the main languages spoken within the school community – English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Greek, Cantonese and Dharug.
Connecting with Country features include signage in both English and Dharug, and a stencil of a blue tongue lizard – of cultural significance to the Dharug people – on the front entry courtyard.
Principal McGeary said the significant investment in the school would enhance the learning environment for all students, now and in the future.
“The upgrade provides our students with the best possible setting to explore, learn, and grow and strengthens our partnerships with parents and the school community,” she said.
Students and teachers at 21 additional schools can also look forward to seeing work commence this term on brand new facilities for them to learn in.
Projects set to commence construction before the end of Term 3 include six brand new high schools – four in western Sydney and two in regional NSW.
Additionally, major upgrades will begin at five high schools and 10 primary schools across both Sydney and the regions.
Together these projects will deliver more than 400 new classrooms to booming suburbs, plus new halls, libraries, performance spaces, science labs, VET facilities, wood and metal workshops, and sports facilities.
Four of the 10 primary school upgrades will also include a new public preschool as part of the NSW Government’s historic commitment to build 100 public preschools by 2027.
