Narrabeen Sports High School to get 500-seat hall for performing arts

A school once known as the northern beaches’ most neglected public school is set for a 500-seat performing arts hall as part of a multimillion campus upgrade.

An artist's impression of an early design idea, released in 2023, of an extension at Narrabeen Sports High School that would include space for performing arts. Picture: School Infrastructure NSW

What was once one of the northern beaches’ most neglected public schools is to get another multimillion-dollar boost.

Narrabeen Sports High School will receive a 500-seat performing arts hall.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car made the announcement at the school on Friday alongside the independent MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby.

It comes as work continues on a $20m upgrade of the school after it was revealed, in 2023, that a massive maintenance and refurbishment program was needed at the 71-year-old facility.

Photographs had emerged showing dangerous black mould, ceilings caving in and classrooms damaged by leaking roofs.

NSW Education Minister, Prue Car, (left), and independent state MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby, with dance students at Narrabeen Sports High School on Friday, for the announcement that a 500-seat Performing Arts Centre will be built at the school. Picture: Supplied

Images also showed toilets, used by the 1000 students, covered in dark spots. There were also rotting wooden stairs and carpets soaked by rain.

In September 2023, School Infrastructure NSW confirmed that as well as repairs, it would upgrade a number of classrooms including science labs as part of the refurbishment program.

Images of dirty, dangerous and dilapidated conditions, including black mould on toilet facilities, at Narrabeen Sports High School emerged in July 2023. Picture: Supplied

A leaking roof and ceiling at Narrabeen Sports High School in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Ms Car’s office said current upgrade work included renovated Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) classrooms, refurbished science labs and a new roof across large sections of the campus.

Construction of 20 classrooms, in Block C, was expected to begin within months. New turf has been laid on the school’s sports oval.

The new stand-alone performance hall, which authorities hope to have completed in 2027, would include a stage and a large performance area with seating for up to 500 students. Final designs of the building are still being worked on.

There would also be two music rooms and a smaller performance space with a sprung wooden floor to support dance and other arts subjects.

Students at Narrabeen Sports High stretch in a dance class. Picture: Supplied

Ms Car said the arts hall was part of the Labor Government’s $8.9b investment in new and upgraded schools across the state.

“After years of neglect and broken promises from the former Liberal government, the Minns’ Labor Government is delivering high quality facilities for the northern beaches,” she said.

“This upgrade will enrich student life at Narrabeen Sports High school — academically, physically, and creatively — for years to come.”

Ms Scruby said she had advocated strongly for the facilities in parliament and directly with the Minister, while highlighting the school’s lack of creative space.

“I thank the NSW Government for its collaborative approach and commitment to the arts. “Pittwater has a proud tradition in the creative arts, and it’s wonderful to see our students finally getting the performance spaces they deserve,” she said.

(Left to right) Principal Heidi Curry, P&C president, Suzie Stanford, independent state MP for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby and NSW Education Minister, Prue Car, at Narrabeen Sports High School on Friday. Picture: Supplied

School principal, Heidi Currie said she was excited “to see our students and staff make the most of these new and upgraded facilities”.

President of the P&C, Suzie Stanford, said the announcement was the “result of great collaboration and co-ordinated efforts from our state and federal MPs, the NSW Education Department, the NSW Government, the school staff, and the P&C”.

“Our Dance Academy and HSC students will finally have purpose-built spaces where they can truly shine and showcase their talents,” she said.

Year 8 dance student, Mia Murdoch, said she and her friends were “very excited”.

“It’s like everything to me,” she said.

“I think it will be great to have our own space like all the other sports do”.

Originally published as Narrabeen Sports High School to get 500-seat hall for performing arts