February 25 - March 2, 2024: Issue 615

 

Narrabeen Sports High School Science Labs Opened


On February 14, Narrabeen SHS had the pleasure of celebrating the Grand Opening of 4 brand new Science Labs, a hybrid Lab and a technician spaces in their Science faculty.

The school stated:
''We would like to thank  The Honourable Mr Greg Warren MP Campbelltown, Parliamentary Secretary for Education & Early Learning for unveiling our new Science mural painted by Narrabeen students and our new Science Labs as part of the NSW Department of Education Upgrade works.''

''It was a lovely way to celebrate this milestone with our special guests, senior school leaders, staff, our school community and former students.

Our students and teachers alike have thoroughly enjoyed these spaces today and we look forward to meeting the next generation of Scientists brought to you by Narrabeen Sports High School!''

The Hon. Greg Warren MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Early Learning, who attended the opening, said:

''Thanks for having me Narrabeen Sports High School to open your 4 brand new science labs, a hybrid lab and a technician space on behalf of the Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car with my Parliament of NSW colleague and local member Rory Amon MP.

The labs look amazing and I look forward to hearing about your future learnings and experiments!''




Two days later the school posted on its social media accounts:
''We have been enjoying our new Science Faculty spaces for a couple of days now and you still can't wipe the smiles from at faces here at Narrabeen.

These promised photos are of our labs complete, such a transformation and we are very proud to show them off!

Again special thank you to Royal Contractors and the NSW Department of Education for completing this project for us.''



Narrabeen Sports High School is committed to delivering quality public education to develop the individual talents, interests and abilities of the staff, students and citizens who form its learning community. Their aim is to be recognised as a vibrant and responsive public school, working collaboratively within the public education system to produce well educated citizens with the capability and confidence to succeed in the twenty-first century. 

Narrabeen Sports High School aims to be the first choice of secondary school for its local community. The school is first and foremost a local, comprehensive public secondary school that provides the full range of academic and cultural programs. 

As well, it offers an excellent sports program. The school caters for students of all ability levels and interests. Local students who are not particularly interested in sport should have no concerns enrolling in Narrabeen Sports High as the primary aim is to be a high quality local secondary school for all students of all interests and abilities. 

In 2018 Narrabeen Sports High School was announced as an Olympic Pathways school in the sport of surfing.

Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden and President of the NSW Sports High Schools Association (SHSA) Roger Davis launched the new partnership at Maroubra Beach on Friday October 26 2018 alongside students from Matraville Sports High, Narrabeen Sports High, Illawarra Sports High, Hunter Sports High and Endeavour Sports High.

Luke Madden said: “Now that we are an Olympic sport, it is essential that we explore ways to further develop our sport. We see this partnership as a vital component in the identification and development of talent and a key to building a high-performance pathway for our sport in the state."

The program provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes skill and technique development and fitness as well as strategies to enable students to build the mental capabilities required to be successful in the competitive world of surfing.

In February 2023 this was re-announced with other sports added in. The state’s seven Sports High Schools officially became Australian Olympic Pathway Schools from February 8, 2023. 

In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum the school also offers a variety of Vocational and Educational Training courses including Certificate 2 Sport and Recreation, Certificate 3 Trade and Construction through a state of the art Trade Training Centre and Certificate 2 Hospitality through state of the art commercial grade kitchens. 

In 2012 Pittwater Council provided funds for a major upgrade to the school sports fields. In 2013 Pittwater Council received an award for its work at the school.

Narrabeen Sports High School is also a partner in the Peninsula Community of Schools which includes 13 local primary and secondary schools. Senior curriculum options are enhanced through a shared curriculum structure involving Narrabeen Sports, Pittwater and Barrenjoey high schools. Narrabeen Sports High School also has many partnership programs with local primary schools involving leadership, enrichment and transition opportunities. 

Narrabeen Sports High School consistently records very strong growth outcomes for its students. A great strength of Narrabeen Sports High School is the personalised learning programs and individual support offered to students. The school is known for its caring and nurturing environment. 

Narrabeen Sports High School has experienced steady enrolment growth over the past few years and this is projected to increase over coming years. The school has in place careful plans to maximise the opportunities afforded by this growth through expanding curriculum and cultural programs without jeopardising the attention to each individual.

Upgrades

In 2018 the Coalition NSW Government committed to upgrading Narrabeen Sports High School and Narrabeen North Public School with new and improved education facilities to ensure all students can learn in modern, fit for purpose environments.

Master-planning undertaken in 2019 for the Narrabeen education precinct or campus considered the long-term opportunities across both campuses. In 2020 concept plans were scheduled to be completed.

In June 2021 then Pittwater MP Rob Stokes announced funding had been secured in the 2021/22 NSW Budget for the Narrabeen Education Precinct- this was listed as $3.135m for the Narrabeen Education Precinct in Budget papers. A further $15.5 million to commence the upgrade of the Narrabeen Education Campus (total cost subject to tender) was announced as part of the 2022/23 NSW State Budget.


Narrabeen Sports High School layout plan. Image Credit: School Infrastructure NSW, 2021

Artist impression of the new multipurpose hall and administration hub at Narrabeen North Public School. Image Credit: School Infrastructure NSW, 2022

In October 2022 the documents for the Narrabeen North PS DA were made available on Council's website for feedback.

ADCO Constructions was awarded the design and construct main works contract to deliver the Narrabeen North Public School upgrade. The development application (DA) for the main works at Narrabeen North Public School were approved by Northern Beaches Council in June 2023. That allowed construction works to begin on site. Site establishment at Narrabeen North Public School started in late June 2023, with works to remove hazardous materials from the site undertaken during the Winter school holiday break to minimise potential impacts on students.

The Narrabeen North Public School works are scheduled to be completed in 2024.

Narrabeen Sports High works remained at a standstill though.

New Pittwater MP Rory Amon stated as part of his election commitments, ''I am committed to seeing the continued improvement of our local schools, including the $60 million upgrade of the Narrabeen Education Campus (Narrabeen North Public School and Narrabeen Sports High School).''

Mr. Amon kept his promise and pursued the funding that had been allocated be put towards where it was intended, sending in a statement weeks back about the conditions of the classrooms, bathroom facilities without toilet doors and leaking rooves at Narrabeen Sports High School, and calling for immediate remediation works to be commenced so students returning from the Winter break could focus on being students rather then the stains on the walls or toilet cisterns that were cracked and stalls without doors.

Apparently the roof sheets, toilet systems and doors that could have been bought just up the road for a few hundred dollars and put in by a community working bee isn't the way it can be done nowadays - it has to be through official channels and it has to cost millions and a community has to wait until it can be done - even if there is a clear need to get it done yesterday. 

With the change of government, residents were advised for future project updates, works notifications, or other relevant documents related to the current upgrades of Narrabeen Sports High School or Narrabeen North Public School after July 2023, to please visit their separate project pages:  Narrabeen Sports High School project page and the Narrabeen North Public School project page

The new NSW Labor Government stated it remains committed to delivering the much-needed upgrades at Narrabeen Sports High School and followed up and followed through.

The August 2023 update by School Infrastructure NSW records:

'In the first week of Term 3, School Infrastructure NSW met with the school’s leadership to confirm their priorities and make sure that the upgrades meet the needs of the students and staff.

As an outcome of this discussion, it has been decided that the upgrade will include essential and urgent maintenance including the following:

  • renewal and repairs for the science labs, prep rooms, and chemical storerooms in Block B
  • replacement of all roofs in Blocks A, B, C, D and E
  • refurbishment of student and staff amenities (bathrooms and changerooms)
  • upgraded technological and applied studies classrooms in Block A
  • refurbishment of existing classrooms within Block C
  • refurbishment of Block K including data upgrades.

Now these works are being completed - in record time.