Meet Ian Tapuska, the first principal of the brand new Gulyangarri Public School

With a career spanning more than 20 years in the education sector, Ian Tapuska prides himself on nurturing the next generation of leaders in the southwest. Read about the new primary school.

Lia Immanuel, Ian Tapuska and Kitana Srey.

With a career spanning more than 20 years in the education sector, Ian Tapuska prides himself on nurturing the next generation of leaders in the southwest.

The future principal will open the doors of Gulyangarri primary school at Liverpool next year, located next to Liverpool Boys and Girls high schools, and could welcome up to 540 students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

The population of Liverpool has grown by almost 50,000 people in the last decade to 2021 and the school will aim to service the growing melting pot of families.

For Mr Tapuska, this will be the first time he has been at the helm of a brand new school.

It was a dream come true for the 45-year-old, who said it was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse to start a school from scratch in one of the fastest growing suburbs in south west Sydney.

Future kindergarten students, from the left, Amen Solomon, Yuto Ritusko, principal Ian Tapuska and Kitana Srey.

Deputy principal Jodie Field, future kindergarten student Lia Immanuel, principal Ian Tapuska, Kitana Srey.

“We want to make sure that we have a school for all and we cater for all the children that walk through our doors as they’ll spend the next seven years of their lives with us,” he said.

Since enrolment opened last term, 25 children have secured places as Mr Tapuska said the school hopes to “cement our place within the community”.

An artist’s impression of the future school. Picture: Supplied

The school will open next year. Picture: Supplied

“The investment in our school has people excited and shows that Liverpool is on its way up,” he said. “We want to make sure we are reflecting on the aspirations of our community and make sure that the future of Liverpool will have great education.”

Mr Tapsuka started teaching in the NSW public system more than 20 years ago before moving to England for nine years.

Following his return, he spent most of his time teaching in the Liverpool area – including a stint as the principal for Liverpool Public School from 2017 to 2021 and as the deputy principal from 2013 to 2016.

The future deputy principal of Gulyangarri, Jodie Field said she was excited for the school to open and service the growing Liverpool community.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to open a school … we have a big need for education in Liverpool and parents have been supportive in our plans,” she said.

Liverpool resident Priyanshi Singh, her son Vidansh Singh and deputy principal Jodie Field

Liverpool resident Priyanshi Singh, 35, has enrolled her four-year-old son Vidansh for kindergarten at Gulyangarri as she heard good things about the leadership team.

“Mr Tapuska is a good person who wants my son to get a good education,” she said.

When complete the school will have 20 classrooms, four special programs rooms, four support rooms, a hall, library, covered outdoor learning area and preschool for up to 40 children.

The newly-completed facilities include new flexible teaching spaces, four special programs rooms, a new hall, a new library and covered outdoor learning area.

Mr Tapuska said the design of the school was created in consultation with local Aboriginal community and educational groups.

“The name means children from the Dharug language because children are at the centre of all we do,” he said.