Pittwater Life October 2023 Issue

News
Sports High upgrades confirmed
The Minns NSW Government has
confirmed it will allocate around
$20 million towards much-needed
upgrades at Narrabeen Sports High
School (NSHS).
It follows an awareness campaign led
by the school’s principal, its P&C Association
as well as local MPs State and
Federal MPs Rory Amon and Dr Sophie
Scamps.
However, the pledge represents approximately
one third of the funding
required to fully refurbish the dilapidated
school.
As reported in Pittwater Life last
month, NSHS was named an Australian
Olympic Pathway School in August.
Mr Amon said that while the government’s
funding announcement was
welcome, he would continue to seek additional
finding.
“Thanks to the persistence of the
school’s devoted staff and P&C, the
Department of Education has confirmed
that about $20 million will now be invested,”
Mr Amon said.
“Huge thanks must go to School
Principal Heidi Currie, the P&C President
James Wiggins and its Secretary Dr Peter
McDonald.
“When I visited the school in June, I
THANKED: P&C President James Wiggins.
was shocked at the state of the facilities.
Local kids deserve better. They deserve
an environment in which they can learn
and thrive.
“Narrabeen Sports High is a first-rate
school, with first-rate teachers, students,
and parents. The naming of the School
as an Australian Olympic Pathway School
is testament to this.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been let down by
PHOTO: Northern Beaches Advocate
the physical state of the school.”
In their August 2023 Project Update,
School Infrastructure NSW confirmed
upgrades for NSHS including the renewal
and repairs for sciences labs, prep
rooms, and chemical storerooms; the
replacement of all roofs for five school
buildings; new carpets, ceilings, paintwork;
refurbishment of all bathrooms
and changerooms; the resurfacing of
outdoor basketball and tennis courts;
plus cooler classrooms with aircon being
delivered soon.
In its 2023 Budget, the NSW Government
confirmed a total of $53.9 million
towards NHS and Narrabeen North Primary
School – funding that was previously
committed to by the former Liberal
Government.
“These upgrades are a huge step
forward. However, this is just the first
phase of upgrades required,” said Mr
Amon.
He revealed he had requested up to
$30 million more from the Government
to ensure all necessary upgrades of NSHS
could be completed.
An online community petition set up
by Mr Amon to urge the Government for
more funds has so far amassed thousands
of signatures. – Nigel Wall
8 OCTOBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991