Grantham Farm: Vineyard Public School to close, join new site for 500 kids in 2028

Northwest Sydney families will have access to another new school from 2028 as the state government’s efforts to win back the area’s booming school-aged population continue.

Northwest Sydney families will have access to another new school from 2028 as the state government’s efforts to win back the area’s booming school-aged population continue.

Vineyard Public School, the smallest school left in Sydney’s northwest growth corridor, has faced an uncertain future ever since plans to turn its Bandon Rd address into a major transport thoroughfare were announced in 2016.

Parents have now been advised the school’s 96 students and four teachers will be packed up and shipped off to a brand-new and far bigger school to be built in the next suburb over, Grantham Farm.

The Grantham Farm public school will have capacity for approximately 500 students, and is expected to accommodate both future growth in the area and overflow enrolments from nearby schools like Riverbank Public School – currently attended by more than 2000 kids.

Provisional plans for the build include an initial set of 24 classrooms with room for future expansion, a multipurpose hall, library, outdoor learning areas, an on-site preschool and out-of-school-hours (OOSH) care.

Vineyard Public School circa 2003. Picture: Rosemary Phillis/Blacktown City Libraries

Vineyard P&C president Sarah Webster, whose children 7-year-old Freya and 3-year-old Magnus will both attend the new school, said the move will open up “new possibilities” for families.

“It’s exciting, it’s more than I was expecting,” she said.

Vineyard Public School P&C President Sarah Webster (right) with her husband Ryan Webster, 3-year-old son Magnus and 7-year-old daughter Freya. Picture: Supplied

“We don’t even have a hall at the moment, so on rainy days like today that will give us somewhere dry for the kids to play.”

Memorabilia and historical items from the 145-year-old school will move to Grantham Farm with the students.

“We want to bring that small-school spirit to a big school, and I believe it can be done,” Mrs Webster said.

“A bigger school opens up bigger opportunities … even for simple things like inter-school sport and inter-school music.

“The community has been crying out for new schools, they want the infrastructure to growth with them.”

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said the new school would support generations of families. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The historic lack of public schools in emerging population centres north of the Great Western Highway have seen independent and Catholic colleges like St Luke’s in Marsden Park and Santa Sophia in Gables rank among the state’s fastest-growing schools in recent years.

Meanwhile, non-government schools have been increasing their share of NSW students for the past four consecutive years.

Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car said the new build and relocation of Vineyard PS reflected her government’s “commitment to rebuild public education and ensure every child has access to a modern, high-quality learning environment close to home”.

“For over a decade, families in Grantham Farm were ignored by the former Liberal National Government as the suburb grew without a school,” she said.

“Northwest Sydney is one of the fastest-growing regions in NSW, and this new school and preschool will support local families for generations to come.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]