Newcastle High School: $76 million redevelopment to see student population increase by 193 kids

The redevelopment of a booming NSW school is expected to see student numbers increase by just 193 – despite eye-watering population growth forecasts and a $76m price tag. Find out why.

A $76-million overhaul of Newcastle High School will see the creation of space for just 193 additional students – and is designed to only cater for population demands to 2026.

The multimillion-dollar upgrade of the school at 25a National Park St, Newcastle West, is set to include the demolition of eight school buildings for a new three-storey “learning hub” featuring a new library, canteen, covered outdoor learning area, general learning spaces, hospitality rooms, and science labs.

Meanwhile, a new multipurpose facility incorporating a gymnasium, stage, fitness lab, flexible learning spaces and outdoor courts are also earmarked for the soon-to-be redeveloped school.

An artist impression for the redevelopment of Newcastle High School. Picture: School Infrastructure

Plans for the redevelopment of Newcastle High School. Picture: School Infrastructure

Despite the multimillion-dollar price tag for the redevelopment of the 100-year-old school, planning documents revealed upgrade plans are only expected to meet student demands for the community to 2026, while the student population would increase from 1227 to 1420.

Planning documents suggest the redevelopment, which will be completed over five stages, could mean that construction is not complete before the education hub is expected to reach its new capacity in three years time.

Planners said the option to “meet secondary catchment student demand to 2026 … was preferred as it meets the need of the school”.

A second option, which would have “future proofed the site” to cater for 2040 students was rejected by School Infrastructure NSW – despite population forecasts suggesting the Newcastle local government area is expected to increase by 31,773 people by 2041.

Student numbers are only expected to increase by 193 kids. Picture: School Infrastructure

Another option could have seen the school “future-proofed” to 2040. Picture: School Infrastructure

The second option would have seen the department “realign boundary catchments to redirect demand from Adamstown Public School and Merewether Heights Primary School from Kotara High School to Newcastle High School”.

Education Department planners said “unprecedented population growth”, particularly in children under 15 years of age, would result in 164,000 children expected to enter the government school system by 2031.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of Newcastle High School. Picture: School Infrastructure

Education advocate and former Parents and Citizens Federation president Natalie Walker said the Education Department “should be future-proofing redeveloped schools with population forecasts 10-20 years ahead, not three years”.

“We want to make sure we are developing sustainable school communities that can cater to the population growth that is expected,” Ms Walker said. “This is a lot of money, so we have to have the best infrastructure to support the school community.

“When funds of this magnitude are being spent there needs to be a long term plan – when it comes to these plans, it is short term thinking.”

Natalie Walker

Newcastle resident and parent Kylie Myatt said she supported the redevelopment of Newcastle High School, “which hasn’t been upgraded in a really long time”.

“We have had all of our children go through the school and know how much of a great job the educators do to support kids,” she said. “Hopefully these upgrades help current students thrive – because the more resources and infrastructure available to them, the better.
“No one wants to learn in a dark, old, dingy space.”

A School Infrastructure NSW representative said NSW Planning will review all submissions received during the current 28-day public exhibition period.

“We have finished the final major design phase of the Newcastle Education Campus,” the representative said in an update to parents and carers.

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“The detailed design was developed in consultation with Newcastle High School, architects, engineers, planners, consultants, parent and citizen representatives, the department’s technical stakeholder group and other government agencies.

“The state significant development approval process can take between six to nine months.”

A NSW Education spokeswoman said “delivering high quality infrastructure for students and school staff is a critical priority”.

“(The department) considers forecast population growth and demographic trends across regions and what school facilities will best support communities,” she said.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of Newcastle High School. Picture: School Infrastructure

“The upgrade at Newcastle High School will deliver additional learning spaces as well as deliver a much-needed major refurbishment of old school facilities providing up-to-date modern learning spaces to meet demand as the population grows.

“Newcastle High School is just one of several high schools in the area that provide excellent public education for the local community.”

The $76 million redevelopment plan is currently on exhibition.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Planning documents wrongfully stated Newcastle High School’s redevelopment would only meet student population needs to 2026, rather than 2036. Education Infrastructure has updated documents to address the issue.