Western Sydney mega school: Catholic Education reveal $80m plan

Last year it was announced several schools would be merged to create a 6000-student mega school. Now, for the first time we can take you inside, with plans released for the giant campus.

• WHAT THE WESTMEAD MEGA SCHOOL INCLUDES
• FUTURE OF ‘TIRED, OUTDATED’ DARLING HARBOUR REVEALED
• $53M PLAN FOR SYDNEY SCHOOL

Plans for the creation of a Catholic mega school in Sydney’s west have been released — including a first look at new buildings and learning spaces inside the $80m project.

A multistorey primary school is included in the plans.

In September, the Parramatta Advertiser revealed an exclusive plan by the Parramatta Catholic Diocese to merge Sacred Heart Primary, Mother Teresa Primary, Catherine McAuley Westmead and Parramatta Marist High School into a 6000-student educational community within the Westmead Innovation and Health Precinct at Darcy Rd, neighbouring Westmead Hospital and Western Sydney University.

An overview of stage one.

Parramatta Bishop, Vincent Long Van Nguyen and Catholic Education executive Greg Whitby at the site of the new Westmead mega school. L to R: Monique Turner, Aimee Hassett, Ella Baini, Jesse Hekeik, Sienna Mardini, Alessia Mardini and Christian Mardini.

Stage one of the plans, which are currently on exhibition as part of a state significant development application to the NSW Planning Department, include the development of a new 1680-student primary school building at the site to encompass Sacred Heart and Mother Teresa learning spaces.

Artist impressions of what the new classrooms would look like.

The development also earmarks the creation of a new parish church and catholic early learning centre at the Westmead Catholic Community.

“The Diocese of Parramatta would like to move away from the separate conceptualisation of school and Parish, and instead move towards an understanding that all schools, like all parishes, are part of the one church and mission,” a planner for the ambitious project said.

“The diocese is committed to creating an integrated faith, learning and evangelising community that collaborates beyond its boundaries with the broader community.

A 400-seat church is included in the plans.

“The Westmead Catholic Community will involve expanding the services offered, taking on

a larger population of students, accommodating students with different needs and greater collaboration on campus and with industry partners while maintaining the charisma and identities of each school.”

Plans for the expanded educational precinct comprise of a 200-student Catholic Early Learning Centre and “centralised” primary school facilities.

A look inside the early learning centre.

“The new K- 6 School building is an innovative, contemporary school designed to facilitate the latest developments in Teaching and Learning for Primary Schools,” the planner said.

“It will be implemented in an architectural form that is evocative and suited to the needs of 1680 Primary-aged students, not reflective of conventional and institutional school design.”

Stage one plans also include a new 400-seat church at the school’s entrance on Darcy Rd.

The state significant development application is open for public submissions until April 29.