Olympic pools, ritzy refurbs: How Sydney’s most cashed up schools splash their cash
While some public schools struggle to pay for shade sails, Sydney’s most cashed up schools are buying up large swathes of land and undertaking major renovations. See what they’ve been spending.
Education
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While some public schools struggle to pay for shade sails, Sydney’s most cashed up schools are buying up large swathes of land and splashing out on major renovations.
The Daily Telegraph has revealed the ten richest independent institutions, who have each received between $320 million and $536 million over the last five years. Here’s what they’re spending it on.
TRINITY GRAMMAR’S ‘RENEWAL PROJECT’
Trinity’s 6.56 hectare Summer Hill campus is undergoing a $127.7 million, six-stage ‘major development’ which will see a new five-storey building constructed in the heart of the school grounds, the demolition of four houses, a refurbishment of their assembly hall, music school, cafeteria and Founders Building, the creation of a performing arts precinct within the school, a new underground carpark, and a new pavilion with indoor courts and an event space.
Seventy local community members lodged objections to the initial project application, the majority raising concerns over the impact on local traffic.
CRANBROOK SCHOOL RENEWAL
Last year Cranbrook completed a $125 million redevelopment of its senior school campus at Bellevue Hill, unveiling a brand new aquatic centre, chapel, theatre and an orchestral room.
The three-year project culminated in a grand opening of the Olympic-style Murray Rose Aquatic and Fitness Centre and four-storey Centenary Building by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.
SYDNEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL’S WEIGALL SPORTS GROUND
Sydney Grammar will spend $54 million on “a new and innovative sports facility” at its Rushcutters Bay campus, which will see a pavilion and tennis courts demolished and a three storey building erected in their place.
Plans would see the new Weigall Sports Complex accommodate a 25 metre swimming pool and multipurpose hall among other spaces, on the condition that members of the public would be allowed to access it.
SHORE’S PE CENTRE
Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore)’s physical education centre, opened in 2020, cost the prestigious institution approximately $75 million and is described by the school as “an exceptional state-of-the-art academic and sports facility” and the largest project in its history.
It features an eight-lane 50m indoor heated pool, a sports complex with basketball courts, a gymnastics centre, weights, cardio, rowing and spin rooms, and multiple classroom spaces.
SCOTS’ CONTENTIOUS TENNIS COURTS
The Scots College at Bellevue Hill has been given the green light for a $10.6 million carpark revamp after a protracted court battle.
The plans, first submitted nearly four years ago, will see the school’s tennis courts demolished, excavated for a new underground carpark, and new tennis courts then constructed above it.
Neighbours opposed the works – and the proposed increase to the school’s enrolment cap, which was removed from the final approved development application.
Controversial alternative to HSC begins today
Hundreds of Year 12 students in private schools will begin their final exams today as candidates for the International Baccalaureate – a challenging and sometimes controversial alternative to the HSC.
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