Permanent classrooms are beginning to take shape at Gillieston Public School as work continues on the school’s upgraded facilities.
Construction is progressing on the school’s major redevelopment ahead of its planned 2027 opening, bringing a significant expansion of the campus and a new public preschool.
Growing enrolments have seen demountable classrooms spread across the site.
Once complete, the redevelopment will replace 20 of those temporary buildings with permanent, purpose-built learning spaces.
The upgraded campus will include 32 classrooms, three support classrooms, a new library and a hall with a canteen.
New outdoor play areas, upgraded sporting facilities and an outside school hours care service will also be delivered.
The project will increase the school’s capacity to more than 730 students.
A public preschool is also being built on site and will cater for up to 120 children each week.
This is part of the NSW Government’s plan to deliver 100 public preschools across the state by 2027.
The main three-storey classroom building has been structurally completed and the internal fit-out is continuing throughout the building.
Steel has also been erected for the new hall, while work inside the preschool is nearing completion.
NSW Premier Chris Minns toured the site and said the project would provide permanent facilities for one of the Hunter’s fastest-growing communities.
“We’re removing the demountables that took over Gillieston Public School by investing in the schools, early learning facilities and teachers that fast-growing communities in Maitland urgently need,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see construction progressing well on this project, which will next year welcome local students and preschoolers for the first time into the state-of-the-art classrooms they deserve.”
Principal Lauren Fernando said the redevelopment would benefit students, teachers and families for years to come.
“Our school community has experienced significant growth, and we are incredibly excited to see this project continue to take shape,” she said.
“The new facilities will build on the strong learning environment already established at Gillieston Public School and provide contemporary spaces that will support our students, staff and community well into the future.”
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