St Gabriel’s School, Castle Hill to double in capacity with new buildings
The special school in northwest Sydney will more than double in size as part of a $15 million proposal revealed this week.
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St Gabriel’s School has revealed $15 million plans that will more than double the capacity of the school.
The proposal, which was submitted to The Hills Council last month, includes the construction of two new specialist secondary school buildings, extensions to the primary school and a new hall.
It also suggests the creation of a new playground and the removal of 104 trees to expand facilities at the specialist Castle Hill-based school.
Planning documents suggest the proposal would include two new two-storey senior school buildings built with a connecting hallways, while a junior school building will be demolished and replaced with a two-storey building.
Specialist classrooms will provide resources for technology and applied studies, science labs and a new library for the school.
The report revealed the development would more than double the capacity of the school to 204 students and 55 teachers.
“The proposed development is intended to facilitate a school population increase of
about 121 students ... with an increase of 35 additional staff,” the report said.
“The increased school population is a reflection of increased residential densities and population in the locality, and the need for high school spaces for children with special needs.”
St Gabriel’s principal Jon Franzin said the project has been in the works for the past ten years.
“This means that students can continue education from kinder to Year 12 with us as it is a massive challenge for families,” Mr Franzin said.
“This project is the result of a collaboration between the Parramatta Diocese and Edmond Rice Education Australia, our governing body.”
Mr Franzin said the school will also see the construction of new food technology and hospitality spaces to “provide employment pathways for students into the wider Hills community”.
“The ability to provide life skills for our senior students will give independence and employment opportunities for our students and their families are embracing this evolution.
“This is another step of our 95-year history of specialist education to the broader community.”