Construction of the multi-million-dollar redevelopment of Gillieston Public School is well progressed, with NSW Premier Chris Minns and Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison visiting the site today to see how the new permanent buildings are taking shape.
When it opens on Day 1 Term 1, 2027, students will be learning in state-of-the-art permanent classrooms after decades in demountables, which multiplied across the site for years as the former Liberal National government failed to address long-standing enrolment growth.
The redevelopment of the school will deliver 32 new modern classrooms, three support classrooms, a new library and a new hall with a canteen, new outdoor spaces and upgraded sports facilities as well as an outside of school hours (OOSH) care facilities.
The new permanent buildings will cater for over 730 students, replacing 20 demountable classrooms, which had become a fixture in which the majority of students were learning under the Liberals and Nationals.
It will also include a new public preschool, one of 100 new public preschools the Minns Labor Government is delivering across NSW by 2027.
The onsite public preschool will have capacity for up to 120 children per week as part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to expand access to public early learning.
Structural works for the main three-storey school building have been completed, and the internal fit out is progressing well. The steel framework for the hall is in place, and internal fit out for the preschool is almost complete.
The delivery of new classrooms is being matched with more teachers in our schools, with teacher vacancies across public schools in Maitland by falling by 73 per cent under this government.
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.
The Minns Labor Government is prioritising investment in new and upgraded public schools in Maitland, with recent growth rates indicating the region will exceed the projected population trajectory of 144,500 residents by 2041.
In addition to the Gillieston Public School redevelopment, the education infrastructure pipeline for Maitland includes:
- Thornton Public School upgrade
- New public primary school in Chisholm with co-located public early learning
- Relocation and expansion of Maitland Grossmann High School
- New public preschool at Tenambit Public School
In the broader Hunter region, the Minns Labor Government is also building the new and upgraded schools growing communities need, including a new public primary school in Huntlee and a new high school in Medowie.
The projects are part of a record $9.2 billion investment by the NSW Government in school infrastructure through the 2026-27 Budget, which includes $2.3 billion for new and upgraded schools across regional NSW.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“We’re removing the demountables that took over Gillieston Public School by investing in the schools, early learning facilities and teachers that that fast-growing communities in Maitland urgently need.
“It’s fantastic to see construction progressing well on this project, which will next year welcome local students and preschoolers for the first time into the state-of-the-art classrooms they deserve.
“We aren’t just building the schools that communities need, we’re also making sure that they have teachers in them by driving down teacher vacancies.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Maitland is the fastest-growing part of NSW outside of Western Sydney, and the Minns Labor Government is ensuring young families who move here to build their lives have access to a world-class, local public school.
“For years and years the Liberals and Nationals thought it was good enough to leave the majority of students at Gillieston Public School learning inside ageing demountables.
“Labor believes students deserve to learn and grow in high-quality, permanent classrooms and that’s exactly what we are delivering for families in Gillieston.”
Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said:
“It’s incredibly exciting to see the new and improved Gillieston Public School coming together right in front of us. This is an investment in Gillieston’s future and a promise delivered for local families, who have been advocating for these upgrades for years.
“With 35 modern classrooms and a brand-new preschool, this redevelopment will transform education in Gillieston, giving local students access to the high-quality facilities they deserve.”
Gillieston Public School Principal Lauren Fernando said:
“Our school community has experienced significant growth, and we are incredibly excited to see this project continue to take shape. The new facilities will build on the strong learning environment already established at Gillieston Public School and provide contemporary spaces that will support our students, staff and community well into the future.
“These new learning spaces will provide our teachers with flexible and engaging environments that support high-quality teaching and help every student to learn and grow.
“We are delighted by the progress that has been made and look forward to welcoming our students, families and staff into the new facilities in 2027.”
