A much-needed school upgrade is underway for families in Sydney’s Inner West, as the Minns Labor Government delivers new classrooms at Orange Grove Public School.
The project will deliver eight new, permanent classrooms, a new school hall, canteen, covered outdoor learning area, and out-of-school-hours care facilities, alongside four refurbished classrooms and a refurbished library.
The Minns Labor Government has worked closely with the school community on the final design of the upgrade, consulting on the location of the new classrooms, the preservation of play space for students, and heritage protection measures.
The new classrooms will replace all the temporary demountable classrooms at the school, with the upgrade delivering 7,500 square metres of valuable play space for students.
Workers will restore the school’s historic architecture during construction, replacing and repairing original sandstone, restoring roofs, and reinstating heritage timber windows.
Work is set to finish in 2029, with staged construction ensuring student learning is not disrupted and that the weekly farmers’ market will continue to operate on the school site.
Over the next four years, the Minns Labor Government will invest a record $9.2 billion in school infrastructure, delivering new and upgraded schools to ensure every family has access to a world-class public education, close to home.
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 abolishment of the Liberals and Nationals wages cap, delivering NSW teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation.
These reforms are driving down teacher vacancies to their lowest level in 12 years, cutting vacancies in the Balmain electorate by almost 42 per cent, and halving the number of merged and cancelled classes statewide since the election of the Minns Labor Government.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“My dad was a public schoolteacher, so I know the difference a great public school and great teachers can make which is why we’re making sure every kid gets access to this, including at Orange Grove Public School.
“This upgrade will mean new permanent classrooms, better facilities and more play space for kids – while getting rid of the demountable classrooms that families have had to put up with for too long.
“We’re not just upgrading and building new schools, we’re also putting more permanent teachers back in classrooms by lifting their wages which has driven teacher vacancies to their lowest level in 12 years.”
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Our government has worked with the local community to ensure we respect the heritage and character that make Orange Grove such a special school.
“This upgrade is the result of genuine consultation. We listened to the school community, refined the plans, and now we’re delivering the modern school facilities students and staff need.
“Only a Labor government will invest in the classrooms and facilities our communities need, so every child can attend a great public school, close to home.”
Deputy Mayor of Inner West Council and Labor Candidate for Balmain, Philippa Scott said:
“Orange Grove Public School has been part of the Inner West community for over a century, and this upgrade reflects what local families told the Minns Labor Government was important to them.
“From Orange Grove to Rozelle and Leichhardt, the Minns Labor Government is investing in public schools across our community, restoring them for the next generation of local students.”
Orange Grove Public School Principal Kasey Henness said:
“We’re excited to see facilities that will benefit every part of school life from new classrooms and our library to improved spaces for assemblies, performances, sport and out of school hours care.
“Our school has a proud history and a strong sense of community. This project respects that history while ensuring Orange Grove Public School is ready for the future.”
