Masterplan for Australia’s first Sikh school at Rouse Hill complete

Planning for Australia’s first Sikh school — which will cater for more than 1300 students from kinder to year 12 — is underway for a site just metres from a new Sydney Metro station.

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Planning for Australia’s first Sikh school — which will cater for more than 1300 students from kinder to year 12 — is underway for a site just metres from Rouse Hill Tallawong Metro station.

A not-for profit charitable organisation for the Australian Sikh Grammar School are currently completing a detailed masterplan for the landmark $110 million proposal at 151-161 Tallawong Rd, Rouse Hill — which earmarks a place of worship and boarding facility for staff and students.

An artist impression of the Sikh Grammar School earmarked for Rouse Hill.

School director Kuldeep Singh said the growing Sikh population, which has exceeded 35,000 in Western Sydney, led to demand for the development of a school dedicated to Sikhism teachings.

“This will be the first dedicated Sikh and Indian School in the Southern Hemisphere,” the director told the Rouse Hill Times.

“Although this is called the Sikh Grammar School, this will be a multicultural school for a growing multicultural community.”

The proposal to the NSW Government’s Major Projects panel seeks the approval of the construction of a primary school which would cater for 588 children and 30 staff alongside a secondary school for 672 children and a 47 staff.

The school would cater for more than 1300 students on completion. Picture: Supplied

The application also proposes the construction of an early learning centre, which would cater for a further 86 children and 18 staff, as well as a library, Langar (kitchen) and Gurdwara (place of worship).

Mr Singh said the community group, which has already raised more than $5 million for the school’s construction, will submit the masterplan for the school next week and hopes classes will commence in 2021.

“We always strive for academic excellence, so teachers at this school will be hand-picked as specialists in their field and will come from all kinds of backgrounds and religions,” Mr Singh said.

“As part of our religion we have a particular look and stand out in the community.

“When some Sikh children go to school, they can be harassed and bullied, so we want to create a safe, progressive and modern space that welcomes all beliefs.”

A place of worship, community kitchen and boarding house would also be included in the proposal.

Mr Singh said Sikh children currently attend Christian and independent schools across NSW.

“There are a range of religious schools in Australia, but none of them cater specifically for Sikh and Indian children,” he said.

“But our school will be multicultural, just like every other community in Australia.”

Planners for the proposed new school, which would stretch across a 10 acre site in Rouse Hill, said in order to meet the current demand for new school facilities, the school would rely on demountable classrooms before permanent ones are constructed.

Mr Singh said the school will also provide an ANZAC Sikh Museum at the school, “which will commemorate the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers who fought alongside other Australians in World War I and World War II”.

An artist impression of the Sikh Grammar School at Rouse Hill.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE SIKH COMMUNITY

Bella Vista parents Harminder and Parminder Kaur Singh are convinced the purpose built Sikh Grammar School earmarked for Rouse Hill is “the most important community project seen in decades”.

Harminder Singh and wife Parminder with their children Prabhveer and Japveer who will benefit from the Sikh School which is to be built in Rouse Hill. Photo Jeremy Piper

Mr Singh said his two boys, Prabhveer, 8, and Japveer, 6, would have been enrolled in the school from an early age — if it was already available in the community.

“There is nothing of its kind in the country,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for parents to send their children to a school where they are not different and part of a community that have the opportunity to do well in their studies but also be connected spiritually.”

Harminder Singh said the project is one of the largest ever for the Sikh community. Photo Jeremy Piper

Mr Singh said the Sikh community in northwest and wester Sydney continues to grow — sparking the need for a “community focuses school”.

“The school is not just for the Sikh community, it is based on principles of spirituality but it is a place for everyone to learn,” he said.