Monday August 19 2024
Students from Narrabeen North Public School are now enjoying brand new classrooms after the Minns Labor Government delivered the school’s multimillion dollar major upgrade more than six months ahead of schedule.
Treasurer of New South Wales Daniel Mookhey today visited Narrabeen North Public School alongside Principal Adam Hughes to see the completed upgrades.
Treasurer of New South Wales, The Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC and Principal Adam Hughes
The major refurbishment delivered 15 new air-conditioned classrooms, replacing 15 demountable classrooms, along with three support classrooms, a covered outdoor learning area, new amenities, landscaped gardens with native Australian plants, a new school hall and new staff and administration areas.
At neighbouring Narrabeen Sports High School, major upgrade works are ongoing, with improvements to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) classrooms, and woodwork, textile, and computer rooms, as well as refurbishments to classrooms recently completed. Works at Narrabeen Sport High School are due to be complete in mid-2025.
The early delivery of Narrabeen North Public School is part of the Minns Labor Government’s work to address the school infrastructure backlog left after 12 years of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals. Works were funded by the Minns Labor Government’s record $8.9 billion 2024-25 Budget for new and upgraded schools.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“It is wonderful that students at Narrabeen North Public School are enjoying their brand-new classrooms, which have been delivered ahead of schedule.
“Improvements at Narrabeen North Public School, pushed for a long time by Principal Adam Hughes, will offer local students a boost and I am sure the local community will enjoy these improved facilities for years to come.
“The Minns Labor Government sees investment in our public schools as a top priority.”
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey:
“The NSW Labor Government is committed to providing public school students with high quality education facilities, and it is fantastic to see students here learning in their brand-new classrooms.
“These upgrades will be enjoyed for years to come by this school community, and I look forward to seeing what Narrabeen North Public School achieves next.”
Principal Narrabeen North Public School Adam Hughes said:
“The whole school community is excited to have these first-class new facilities that provide versatile areas to support the wide range of activities our school offers, providing our students with a well-rounded education.
“We are committed to ensuring this excellence is reflected in our classrooms every day for every student.”
Principal of Narrabeen Sports High School Heidi Currie said:
“Students at Narrabeen Sports High School have been taking advantage of their new science labs and are enjoying the upgraded facilities.
“The school community has advocated strongly for these upgrades. We will keep families updated throughout each stage of construction, and I look forward to sharing more as the work progresses.”
Photos: The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC visited the new Narrabeen North school yesterday (Monday August 19 2024). Photos courtesy NSW Government
Background
Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes announced construction funding has been secured in the 2021/22 NSW Budget for the Narrabeen Education Precinct on Wednesday June 16th 2021.
Major upgrades are planned for core facilities and learning spaces at Narrabeen North Public School and Narrabeen Sports High School, along with improved connectivity between both schools and new sporting facilities for shared use with the community.
The project formed part of a $2.1 billion budget allocation by the NSW Government to deliver 44 new and upgraded schools across NSW.
“I’m delighted construction funding has been secured for this major education project,” Rob Stokes said.
“This is a key milestone which enables the Narrabeen Education Precinct vision to come to life.
“Planning and design works have been completed over recent years in close consultation with both schools. It’s exciting for everyone to progress to the next step.
“The Precinct will be an incredible education asset in our community – directly benefiting students and catering for the future needs of local young families,” Rob Stokes said then
On Monday October 24th 2022 the Council made available the documents for the Narrabeen Education Campus at both Narrabeen Sports High School and Narrabeen North Public School. The submissions period ran until November 21st, 2022.
The works have been costed and $20,063,992 has been allocated for both projects.
Construction works are forecasted to start in early 2023 pending planning approval.
The documents state the main inspiration for the project is to design from country, drawn from inspiration of stories told by Indigenous Elder Uncle Dennis Foley. The project aims to celebrate being amongst the existing trees on-site, drawing inspiration from the spiritual significance that the Angophora tree has to the Aboriginal community.
The following stories and history were discussed whilst walking the site with Uncle Dennis in March 2022:
- – The High School site has a precolonial history as a swamp. In postcolonial times the swamp was infilled by refuse and used as a tip.
- – The site to the west of the Public School was used as a scrap yard.
- – Carvings on sandstone noted as being located nearby
- – Angophora trees noted as being highly significant to the local Indigenous people with regard to fertility and death.
- – Dislike of red brick due to colonial associations.
No changes are proposed to the significant and heritage listed Binishell domes at Narrabeen North PS, and the existing form, bulk, materiality, colour scheme, and fenestrations, will continue to remain in their current form.
The Narrabeen Education Campus project (DA2022/1649) aims to deliver at Narrabeen North Public School:
- new flexible permanent learning spaces
- upgraded learning spaces
- new learning spaces for specialist support classes
- refurbished special program learning spaces
- new multipurpose hall for sports and performance
- upgrades to core facilities, including the library and administration hub
The project aims to deliver at Narrabeen Sports High School:
- new and upgraded learning spaces
- upgraded learning spaces for specialist support classes new amenities and refurbished gym
- specialist classrooms for science, wood and metal learning space and food and textile learning spaces new performing arts space
- expanded and refurbished multipurpose hall
The Development Application (DA) seeks consent for the following works:
At Narrabeen North Public School (NNPS):
- Removal of three (3) trees;
- Construction of a new part-one and part-two storey administration building, multipurpose hall, staff hub and out-of-school hours care (OSHC) building with associated Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) (to be known as Building D);
- New entry pathway from Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre (NBISC) car park to new building;
- New hard and soft landscaping in the vicinity of the new building;
Details of the proposed works for the NNPS is understood at the time of preparing this report to comprise:
- Demolition of Building H, Building J and the amphitheatre;
- Removal of some trees;
- Upgrades to hard and soft landscaping including new pedestrian entry ramps.
- Removal of some existing demountable classrooms;
- Upgrade works to Building B (double bini-shell) for use as library including heritage conservation and restoration works;
- Refurbishment of Building K and the ground floor of Building V;
- Construction of two new buildings, namely:
- A two storey building used for general learning spaces; and
- A two storey building containing administration facilities, multi-purpose hall and out-of-schoolhours care facilities on the ground floor with associated covered outdoor leaning area and staff facilities and amenities on the first floor. A covered outdoor leaning area (COLA) will be extending to the east will form part of these works.
Foundation types for the two new two storey buildings are still to be determined as part of the final design documentation. The structural engineer has indicated that whilst pile design is to be determined by a specialist piling contractor, indicative pile depths may be in the order of 5 m below ground level (bgl), with strip footings for these and smaller buildings of around 0.5 m depth.
Asbestos impacted soils within the proposed work area were considered to be present in the central, western and northern sections of the NNPS proposed works area during investigations for the build.
For buildings requiring demolition, the removal and disposal of the identified hazardous materials by an appropriately licensed and qualified contractor, at an appropriately licensed disposal facility along with confirming that there are no residual asbestos containing materials or other hazardous materials remaining on the site forms part of the Council's DA approval process.
At Narrabeen Sports High School (NSHS):
- Removal of three (3) trees;
- Alterations and additions to Building A3 including:
- Demolition of existing two (2) storey structure to the west of the existing gymnasium;
- Construction of a two (2) storey extension to Building A3 comprising new stage to gymnasium, girls and boys amenities, girls and boys change rooms, storage and first aid room on the ground floor and movement studios, Physical Education (PE) classrooms, amenities and storage on the first floor;
- Internal alterations to Building A3;
- New lift access;
- New Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) to the south of Building A3 with new hard and soft landscaping.
The documents state the proposed development does not seek to increase staff or student numbers. However, the business case states ''The project increases capacity to meet projected demand at the schools (including the selective sports stream at NSHS)''.
The project aims to replace all demountables, and provide future focused learning spaces and the appropriate core facilities.
The Business Case itemised the following current deficiencies at Narrabeen North Public School
- – Missing EFSG core facility requirements, including general learning spaces, bathrooms and a hall
- – A significant proportion of classrooms with issues in terms of size, functionality and fit-for-purpose capabilities for delivery of current best practice pedagogies
- – Power outages due to overloading of the current system
- – A high utilisation of aged demountables (50% of total learning spaces)
- – A lack of DDA compliance and accessibility.
Artist impression of the new flexible learning spaces at Narrabeen North Public School. Image: SINSW
ADCO Constructions was awarded the design and construct main works contract to deliver the Narrabeen North Public School upgrade. The development application (DA) for the main works at Narrabeen North Public School was approved by Northern Beaches Council in June 2023. That allowed construction works to begin on site. Site establishment at Narrabeen North Public School started in late June 2023, with works to remove hazardous materials from the site undertaken during the Winter school holiday break to minimise potential impacts on students.
The Narrabeen North Public School works were scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Narrabeen Sports High works remained at a standstill though.
New Pittwater MP Rory Amon stated as part of his election commitments, ''I am committed to seeing the continued improvement of our local schools, including the $60 million upgrade of the Narrabeen Education Campus (Narrabeen North Public School and Narrabeen Sports High School).''
There had already been some 'noise' around election time earlier this year that the works for Narrabeen Sports High may get 'put on hold' or even defunded if the Coalition Government didn't win another term.
Mr. Amon kept his promise and pursued the funding that had been allocated be put towards where it was intended, sending in a statement weeks back about the conditions of the classrooms, bathroom facilities without toilet doors and leaking rooves at Narrabeen Sports High School, and calling for immediate remediation works to be commenced so students returning from the Winter break could focus on being students rather then the stains on the walls or toilet cisterns that were cracked and stalls without doors.
Apparently the roof sheets, toilet systems and doors that could have been bought just up the road for a few hundred dollars and put in by a community working bee isn't the way it can be done nowadays - it has to be through official channels and it has to cost millions and a community has to wait until it can be done - even if there is a clear need to get it done yesterday.
With the change of government, residents have been advised for future project updates, works notifications, or other relevant documents related to the current upgrades of Narrabeen Sports High School or Narrabeen North Public School after July 2023, to please visit their separate project pages: Narrabeen Sports High School project page and the Narrabeen North Public School project page
The term 'Narrabeen Education Campus' disappeared with the stroke of a pen.
The new NSW Labor Government stated it remains committed to delivering the much-needed upgrades at Narrabeen Sports High School.
The new NSW Treasurer, The Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC was set to deliver his first full budget on September 19 2023. Mr. Mookhey had already warned of significant challenges for the state, including major projects the new government has inherited from the old that have blown out by billions.
However, the August 2023 update by School Infrastructure NSW records:
'In the first week of Term 3, School Infrastructure NSW met with the school’s leadership to confirm their priorities and make sure that the upgrades meet the needs of the students and staff.
As an outcome of this discussion, it has been decided that the upgrade will include essential and urgent maintenance including the following:
- renewal and repairs for the science labs, prep rooms, and chemical storerooms in Block B
- replacement of all roofs in Blocks A, B, C, D and E
- refurbishment of student and staff amenities (bathrooms and changerooms)
- upgraded technological and applied studies classrooms in Block A
- refurbishment of existing classrooms within Block C
- refurbishment of Block K including data upgrades.
Discussions with the school about future upgrades to core facilities are continuing.
Progress summary
We expect to award the contract to complete the refurbishment of the science labs, prep rooms, and chemical storerooms in Block B in early August 2023. Works will start shortly after this and are expected to be finished by late 2023.
Stage 1 of the roof works will involve replacing all roofs with new material in Blocks A, E and D, including external walkways. Procurement has started and we expect to commence these works in Term 3, 2023.
Stage 2 of the roof works will involve replacing all roofs, including coverings in corridors, in Blocks B and C. We are still developing a schedule for these works and will notify the community closer to the works starting.
Next steps
Procurement for refurbishment of the student amenities will start in August 2023. We expect to finish these works by the end of 2023.
The contracts to complete the refurbishment works of the TAS classrooms in Block A, Block C classrooms, and the new classrooms in Block K will be released later in 2023. Works are expected to start in late 2023 or early 2024 and will be completed throughout 2024.
Essential and urgent maintenance will be prioritised.
By February 2024 Narrabeen Sports High School Science Labs were Opened
In 2018 Narrabeen Sports High School was announced as an Olympic Pathways school in the sport of surfing.
Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden and President of the NSW Sports High Schools Association (SHSA) Roger Davis launched the new partnership at Maroubra Beach on Friday October 26 2018 alongside students from Matraville Sports High, Narrabeen Sports High, Illawarra Sports High, Hunter Sports High and Endeavour Sports High.
Luke Madden said: “Now that we are an Olympic sport, it is essential that we explore ways to further develop our sport. We see this partnership as a vital component in the identification and development of talent and a key to building a high-performance pathway for our sport in the state."
The program provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes skill and technique development and fitness as well as strategies to enable students to build the mental capabilities required to be successful in the competitive world of surfing.
In February 2023 this was re-announced with other sports added in. The state’s seven Sports High Schools officially became Australian Olympic Pathway Schools from February 8, 2023.
Upgrades
In 2018 the Coalition NSW Government committed to upgrading Narrabeen Sports High School and Narrabeen North Public School with new and improved education facilities to ensure all students can learn in modern, fit for purpose environments.
Master-planning undertaken in 2019 for the Narrabeen education precinct or campus considered the long-term opportunities across both campuses. In 2020 concept plans were scheduled to be completed.
In June 2021 then Pittwater MP Rob Stokes announced funding had been secured in the 2021/22 NSW Budget for the Narrabeen Education Precinct- this was listed as $3.135m for the Narrabeen Education Precinct in Budget papers. A further $15.5 million to commence the upgrade of the Narrabeen Education Campus (total cost subject to tender) was announced as part of the 2022/23 NSW State Budget.
Narrabeen Sports High School layout plan. Image Credit: School Infrastructure NSW, 2021