The Blacktown schools set for airconditioning

Dozens of schools across Blacktown, Seven Hills, Mt Druitt and Riverstone will be airconditioned following the announcement of the first successful applicants of a $500 million program. SEE THE FULL LIST.

L-R Madang Ave Public School students Blake Colburn, 11, Alexis Rapana-Low, 6, Hollie Tadeo, 6 and Trinity Miner, 9. The school classrooms and library will receive airconditioning under a $500m program. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

Dozens of schools in the Blacktown area will have long-awaited airconditioning installed over the Christmas holidays, the State Government has announced.

On Monday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes announced the first schools to have their classrooms and libraries airconditioned via the $500 million Cooler Classrooms program.

At least 34 schools in the Blacktown local government area were included in round one, including Willmot, Mt Druitt, Marayong and Dawson public schools, and Doonside Technology, Seven Hills and Glenwood high schools (see the full list below).

Riverstone MP Kevin Connolly (top L) with Riverbank Public School assistant principal Grant Rimmer and students. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

Riverstone state Liberal MP Kevin Conolly was “delighted” to see several schools in his electorate be successful in their applications.

“This program is in addition to our commitment to provide airconditioning for all new schools and school upgrades, and the existing policy of providing airconditioning to demountable classrooms,” he said.

The government has also lowered the threshold for schools to automatically qualify for airconditioning based on an area’s average January temperature, dropping the mark from 33 to 30 degrees.

Doonside Technology High School was another successful applicant.

Ms Berejiklian said that meant schools in the Penrith area will all receive airconditioning, while other schools can also apply for funding on a needs basis.

“We’re thrilled to be delivering on our commitment to provide healthy learning environments in which our students and teachers can thrive, no matter the weather,” she said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons MP and Education Minister Rob Stokes on Monday. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Mr Stokes said the government would ensure schools wouldn’t be left out of pocket from ongoing running costs.

“We’re installing solar panels and ‘smart systems’ alongside the airconditioning units, so schools can offset their additional energy use and efficiently heat and cool their schools,” he said.

More than 900 schools were successful in round one of the program.

A new round of funding applications will begin in early 2019.

FULL LIST OF LOCAL SCHOOLS IN ROUND ONE:

• Doonside Technology High School
• Marayong Public School
• Quakers Hill Public School
• Seven Hills Public School
• Seven Hills High School
• The Hills Sports High School
• Blackett Public School
• Chifley College Mt Druitt Campus
• Chifley College Shalvey Campus
• Dawson Public School
• Hebersham Public School
• Niland School (Blackett)
• Noumea Public School (Shalvey)
• Plumpton House School
• Shalvey Public School
• Emerton Public School
• Halinda School (Whalan)
• Lethbridge Park Public School
• Madang Avenue Public School
• Mt Druitt Public School
• Ropes Crossing Public School
• Tregear Public School
• Whalan Public School
• Willmot Public School
• The Ponds High School
• Schofields Public School
• Riverstone High School
• Riverstone Public School
• Riverbank Public School
• Glenwood High School
• Marsden Park Public School
• Casuarina School (Riverstone)
• Wyndham College
• Vineyard Public School