Shade is in short supply and the playground is under threat of disappearing as more demountables are trucked in to cope with the surging number of students. In summer, when air-conditioning and the internet are used at the same time, the power overloads, cutting it off entirely. Welcome to The Ponds High School.
Built a decade ago to cater for the growing number of children in Sydney’s north-west, the school and its neighbour, Riverbank Public, are two of the city’s super-sized public schools housing more than 2000 students each, with 106 demountables between them.
Lunchtime at The Ponds High School.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
For years, the two schools have been a political flashpoint over the failure of the previous state government to provide adequate infrastructure in growing parts of the city. Despite the failure to cater for the growing number of students in that respect, both schools have proven popular with students and parents and have a reputation for academic excellence.
At Riverbank Public School, permanent facilities can accommodate 800 of the school’s 2113 students. At The Ponds High School, permanent facilities can fit 1060 of the school’s 2209 students.
Now the government has announced the two schools will have their demountables taken away to free up playground space.
A master-plan for both schools will convert an adjoining 3000 square metres of land owned by Blacktown Council into a playground.
The alley of demountables at The Ponds High School, which has over 2000 students.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
“We are committed to breaking the backlog of critical school infrastructure in western Sydney after more than a decade of neglect by the Liberals and Nationals,” Education Minister Prue Car said.
The cost of upgrading both schools is $104 million, and the high school section is due to be completed by 2026. The primary school will have its demountables removed and new buildings completed by 2027.
Meanwhile, demountables at Riverbank Public, located in what once was a car park, have taken on an air of permanence, surrounded by large potted plants. The school has a staggered lunchtime to allow enough space to play.
“We have high academic standards. We have high expectations, strong teaching. That’s what parents value in this area,” principal Jeanie Brown said.
Lunchtime at Riverbank Public School is staggered.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
The Ponds High School principal Jenny Weal said the large school size means they can offer a large variety of electives including robotics, app design, sports physiology and history’s mysteries.
“We have a great elective program – [parents] believe they’ll get academic success from their children being here,” she said.
Walking around the school when the Herald visited on Tuesday, Weal said she did not hate the demountables as they were new, had air-conditioning and were comfortable for students. But they had their drawbacks.
Riverbank Public has high expectations and strong teaching which, its principal says, is highly valued by parents.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
“Our biggest thing is the load. Sometimes, they all lose power, they all lose the internet, because there’s too much load,” she said.
As part of the infrastructure improvements, there will be an upgrade to the electricity substation at the school.
Roland Du Pree, long-time president of the school’s parents and citizens group who retired from the post last year, did not share Weal’s charitable view of the school’s alley of demountables.
“Kids don’t like demountables – it is like they’ve been separated from the school community. The demountables take away playground. It gives the feeling of an overcrowded campus.
“It is almost a contradiction: despite the fact they’re overcrowded, they’re excellent schools and they’re very well run.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.