Shocking photos reveal the ‘third world’ state of Narrabeen Sports High School as critics call for urgent repairs

Sickening pictures have emerged of ‘third world’ conditions at a Sydney beachside high school, which critics claim has “fallen through the cracks”. See the state of the school.

Pictures of dirty, dangerous and dilapidated conditions at Narrabeen Sports High School including this toilet covered in black spots show the”third world” conditions at the Sydney school. Picture: Supplied

Shocking photographs have emerged of “Third World” conditions at a beachside Sydney public school showing dangerous black mould, ceilings caving in and classrooms damaged by leaking roofs.

Images also reveal toilets used by the 1000 students at Narrabeen Sports High, covered in dark spots, rotting wooden stairs and carpets soaked by rain.

Critics say there is a critical need for urgent wholesale maintenance work at the school that opened in 1954.

They also fear the facility’s dilapidated condition will lead to students and staff becoming sick or being injured.

State Liberal MP for Pittwater, Rory Amon, who toured the school this week and described it as “embarrassing”, has called on Education Department officials to immediately start repair work.

A ceil that has fallen in was hastily covered in plastic sheeting at Narrabeen Sports High School to stop rain leaking into a classroom. Picture: Supplied

Mr Amon made the photographs, taken by the schools Parent and Citizens committee, public after he raised its shocking state in parliament last week.

The MP said he did not blame the current government, the previous government or public servants for the school “falling through the cracks”.

A water leak and possible mould in a classroom have raised concerns about student and staff safety at the school. Picture: Supplied

“Unfortunately, a combination of Covid, construction industry delays and the disproportionately higher construction costs today … have seen Narrabeen Sports High left behind.”

The new Labor Education Minister Prue Car has now ordered officials from School Infrastructure NSW to meet with the principal Heidi Currie, and P & C officials, early in term 3 to prioritise the work needed.

A water leak and ruined carpet. Picture supplied

A hole in the wall. Picture: Supplied

What appears to be mould on a ceiling. Picture: Supplied

In 2018 the previous Coalition Government announced a total of $20 million in upgrades to the school and the neighbouring Narrabeen North Public School — the so-called the Narrabeen Education Campus.

In October last year the Manly Daily reported the high school would be getting upgraded learning spaces, a refurbished multipurpose hall, a two-storey extension to include a performing arts space, specialist science classrooms and spaces for woodwork and metalwork. There will also be a “food and textile learning space”.

An artist's impression of a proposed two-storey extension at Narrabeen Sports High School that will accommodate space for the performing arts. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

But, as yet, no contracts have been signed for the upgrade work.

P & C secretary Peter McDonald said the photographs graphically showed the chronic maintenance problems at the school.

“When we talk to the students they say it’s hard to come to school when you’ve got a crappy classroom and their really good teachers are put in third world conditions.

“Families, like all of us, trusted that all the promises (of upgrades) would be met, have hung in there.

“But what we really need is a thorough refurbishment to inspire the students to come to school.”

A sodden carpet. Picture: Supplied

A badly damaged, leaking roof. Picture: Supplied

Filthy, leaking windows. Picture: Supplied

A spokeswoman for Ms Car said that while the former government promised significant upgrades, “the project has stalled and the school community has a right to be disappointed about this”.

“The new Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering much needed upgrades at Narrabeen Sports High School,” the spokeswoman said.

An artist's impression of the proposed upgrade of Narrabeen Sports High School showing a new two-storey extension that includes a performance art space. There will also be an expanded and refurbished multipurpose hall and new science labs. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

It is understood that no areas at the school have officially been deemed unsafe and repairs have started while plan are drawn up for a major refurbishment commencing in Term 3.

Additional planned maintenance works will include the refurbishment of existing wood and metal workshops, an upgrade to the gymnasium, and repair of existing storerooms.

An upgrade of two science labs will also begin in the coming weeks.

Essential and urgent maintenance will continue to be delivered as required, including the repair of toilets.

Mr Amon said that in anticipation of new facilities at the high school, locals could understand the “fiscal sense in scaling back maintenance programs temporarily”.

“Why paint or recarpet a classroom today that would be knocked down and rebuilt in a couple of years’ time?

“What was envisaged for the school is now a distant memory” Mr Amon told parliament.

The federal independent MP for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps, also visited the school, and said she would be “working with my federal colleagues to ensure adequate funding”.