Randwick Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools ‘let down’ by $5m for upgrades

Two high schools in the eastern suburbs have been handed millions in the budget for long-awaited upgrades. But the local MP and P&C has slammed the funding as a huge let down.

Randwick Boys’ and Girls’ high schools are set to receive $5 million worth of much-needed upgrades – but a local MP and the schools’ P&Cs have slammed the funding as a “complete let down”.

One report suggests $60 million is needed to adequately upgrade the schools.

In 2018, the two high schools in Sydney’s eastern suburbs were earmarked for an upgrade by the State Government.

The project took a step forward on Tuesday when $5 million was allocated in the NSW Budget for the 2021/22 financial year.

Randwick Boys' High School is set for an upgrade.

The NSW Department of Education confirmed the funding would go toward “new fit for purpose learning spaces” but did not say when works would begin or exactly what would be included.

Despite the funding, a business case prepared by School Infrastructure NSW to help guide decisions on the project, seen by NewsLocal, stated the preferred option to upgrade the schools would cost a whopping $60 million.

That included a suggested $10 million in the 2021/22 financial year and further funding down the track.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Randwick Boys’ High School in 2018. Picture: Brendan Esposito

The business case detailed upgrades needed at Randwick Boys’ which included compliance upgrades, extension of Block K, a new covered walkway and refurbishment of the gym, science labs and general learning spaces.

At Randwick Girls’, the suggested improvements included a new lift, refurbishment of the library and food technology spaces, sound proofing of music spaces, compliance upgrades, and the conversion of some existing rooms into wood workshops, STEM learning, visual arts, and fitness learning space.

Coogee state Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill said $5 million announced for both schools was well short of what was needed.

“This Government has chosen an inadequate plan and now they have failed to properly fund that plan,” Dr O’Neill said.

Coogee MP Marjorie O'Neill. Picture: Monique Harmer

“They have provided less than half the recommended amount for the 2021/22 financial year.

“This budget is a complete let down for thousands of families across the eastern suburbs, families who have been campaigning for years to ensure their local public high schools, their students and their teachers get the world-class facilities they deserve.”

She also called for future plans to include new teaching spaces and buildings at the two schools.

A NSW Department of Education spokeswoman did not confirm if new buildings had been considered as part of the project.

“The project will deliver new fit for purpose learning spaces to meet the needs of these school communities,” she said.

Inside Randwick Girls' High School.

“More details on the upgrades will be available as the project progresses.”

The spokeswoman said the $5 million was just the first installment of funding for the project.

“(It) represents the anticipated expenditure in the 2021/22 financial year and not the full cost of the upgrades.

“Future years will include additional allocations for the project.”

The two high schools are the only single-sex public high schools in the eastern suburbs or southeast Sydney.

Parent Leanne Bergan, who is vice president on both P&Cs at the schools, slammed the announcement.

She said there had not been a major upgrade of either school in decades and many of the facilities were like learning in “industrial revolution style” facilities.

“The funding falls way short. Would that even paint the schools?

“We are talking about two schools that have not been upgraded in decades,” she said.

“We are absolutely desperate for upgrades at both schools. There are only so many sausage sizzles that we can do as a P&C to fund projects.”

She said at the top of the list would be new learning and teaching spaces but any repairs and upgrades would be welcome.

While neither school is currently at capacity, Randwick Girls’ High School in particular has grown well ahead of projections.

Randwick Girls’ High School has a roll of about 970 students while Randwick Boys’ High School has a roll of about 670 students. Both schools have capacity for over 1000 students, according to the State Government.

In 2019, the State Government rejected a proposal to turn Randwick Boys’ High School into a co-ed school following extensive community consultation.