Community outrage at the run-down condition of Narrabeen Sports High School has resulted in a commitment to upgrades and repairs.
The shocking state of Narrabeen Sports High School came to public attention after it was raised by members of the school community with state and federal MPs Rory Amon and Dr Sophie Scamps.
Mackellar MP Dr Scamps expressed ‘shock and horror’ at the condition of the facilities, saying she never expected to see such dilapidation in her electorate.
“If this is the state that one school is in, in my electorate, basically across the road from my office, then what’s happening in the rest of the country?” asked Dr Scamps in July.
Pittwater MP Rory Amon likewise expressed ’embarrassment’ at the ‘unsafe’ state of the facilities at the school, publicly releasing a number of shocking photos of the school’s condition and raising the matter in NSW Parliament, calling for urgent action.
Heidi Currie
Narrabeen Sports High School Principal Heidi Currie wrote to parents announcing that upgrade works, outlined by School Infrastructure NSW in their August 2023 project update, would begin immediately, and are expected to continue until the end of the year.
Immediate works will include:
- Renewal and repairs for the sciences labs, prep rooms, and chemical storerooms in Block B
- Replacement of all roofs in Blocks A, B, C, D and E. Stage One will replace roofs in Blocks A, D and E, including external walkways. Stage Two, which is to be scheduled, will replace roofs in Blocks B and C, including coverings in corridors.
- Block E (levels one and two) will have new carpets, ceilings, paintwork for classrooms and staffrooms
- Refurbishment of all student and staff amenities (bathrooms and change rooms)
- Resurfacing of outdoor basketball and tennis courts
Further works will include:
- Upgraded Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) classrooms in Block A (from late 2023)
- Refurbishment of existing classrooms within Block C (from late 2023)
- Refurbishment of Block K (Old Community College), including data upgrades (from late 2023)
Ms Currie also advised that new air-conditioning had been committed.
News of the upgrade was warmly received by Pittwater MP Rory Amon (image above), whose electorate the school is in.
“Thanks to the persistence of the school’s devoted staff, and P&C, the Department of Education has confirmed that about $20m will now be invested. Huge thanks must go to School Principal, Heidi Currie, and the P&C President, James Wiggins, and Secretary, Dr Peter McDonald.
“These upgrades are a huge step forward. When I met with the School in June [2023], there was no certainty of what upgrades would occur and when.
“However, this is just the first phase of upgrades required. I am mindful that the specifics, timing, and delivery of upgrades can vary,” said Mr Amon.
He thanked the community for ‘significant’ support lobbying for the commitment to the upgrade and repair works, saying a petition he set up had carried a lot of weight with ‘thousands’ of signatures.
“We must continue to support the School’s staff and P&C. On 16 August I wrote to the NSW Treasurer, requesting that the Government provide $60m+ in the 2023-24 Budget, to ensure all necessary upgrades of Narrabeen Sports High School can be completed.
“I will continue to work with the staff and P&C, and liaise with the Minister for Education and Government on this matter,” said Mr Amon.
The long awaited and desperately needed upgrade and repair works will be a substantial boost to Narrabeen Sports High, which only two weeks ago (Thursday, 24 August) was proudly named an Australian Olympic Pathway School.
Narrabeen Sports High School is located at 10 Namona Street, North Narrabeen. For more information, visit their website.
Images: Northern Beaches Advocate, Rory Amon MP
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