Families in Macquarie Park are one step closer to accessing an entirely local public education, with construction underway on a brand-new public high school while future students visit their recently completed public primary school for the very first time.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering a seamless education for local families, guaranteeing world-class public schools, close to home, from a student’s first day at Kindergarten through to the completion of their HSC.
Today, future Kindergarten students will get a first look at their new primary school ahead of its opening on Day 1, Term 1, 2027. The school will include 33 modern classrooms for 750 students, a library, a school hall, canteen, outdoor play areas, and out of school hours care.
Nearby, construction is now underway on Macquarie Park’s new public high school, with construction to be complete in 2028 for opening Day 1, Term 1, 2029, overcoming years of inaction and broken promises by the former Liberal National government.
The former government earmarked the high school site for mixed development, with an unprecedented proposal to sandwich classrooms between shops and apartments.
This experimental plan was scrapped by the Minns Labor Government, and the new high school will feature modern classrooms for 2,000 students, a school hall, canteen, and indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
As part of the government’s Share Our Space program, the high school will open its sports facilities to the community outside of school hours, providing valuable recreational space for local families. Students will have exclusive use of the facilities during school hours.
These new public schools build on the Minns Labor Government’s broader investment in Ryde, with additional educational infrastructure and recreational projects including:
- New community sports facility on the former Marsden High School site
- Conversion of the former Meadowbank Public School into a new public park
- New high school for Melrose Park and a major upgrade of Melrose Park Public School
- Major upgrade for Ryde Secondary College
- A new public preschool at Ryde East Public School
The Minns Labor Government is investing a record amount in public education infrastructure, with $9.2 billion over the next four years funding new and upgraded public schools across NSW.
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 abolition of 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:
“We’re making sure every child in New South Wales has access to a great public school close to home.
“For families in Macquarie Park, we’re delivering that from the first day of Kindergarten right through to the HSC – with a brand-new primary school opening next year and construction now underway on a new high school for 2,000 students.
“We don’t see education as a cost to the Budget – it’s an investment in the future of our state. That’s why we’re investing a record $9.2 billion in school infrastructure, while putting more permanent teachers in classrooms and making sure the next generation gets the best possible start in life.”
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“The Minns Labor Government is delivering local schools for Macquarie Park as the suburb continues its transformation into a family-friendly community backed by world-class public education.
“Local families were left frustrated and fatigued after a decade of flip-flopping by the Liberals, who delivered nothing after announcing an experimental project that was never going to work.
“The community has waited patiently for these new schools and families now have certainty with the public school opening soon, and construction on the high school underway.”
Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale said:
“These students will be among the first to begin their education in this new primary school and then have the opportunity to continue their learning at the new high school.
“The redevelopment of Macquarie Park is testament to the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to providing the best public school infrastructure where it is needed most.”
Councillor for the City of Ryde and Labor Candidate for Ryde Lyndal Howison said:
“Today’s milestone is about more than new buildings. It’s about giving families confidence that as Macquarie Park grows, the public schools they need will be here too.
“Across Ryde the Minns Labor Government is investing in public education infrastructure, while cutting teacher vacancies by more than 72 per cent, and providing 220 teachers and support staff with permanent employment.”
Macquarie Park Public School Principal Monique Levis said:
“It’s impressive to see our future students and their families checking out their new school for the first time where they’ll soon be learning and making new friends.
“Beginning a new school is a once in a generation opportunity. Together with our students, families, and staff, we’ll build a vibrant school community from day one.”
