The ACT Government is committed to providing every family with access to a great local public school. As Gungahlin continues to grow, the Government is delivering new public schools.
“As Canberra grows, the Government will continue to deliver on our election commitments to build more schools and invest in our world-class public education system.” Chief Minister Andrew Barr commented “We are undertaking the most ambitious school infrastructure program in the history of self government. We are building new and expanded schools in growing communities, and renewing the schools that Canberrans know and love right across the city. Now is the time to invest in our city, in infrastructure that is built for Canberra, to ensure that the Canberra continues to be one of the most liveable cities in the world.”
The Chief Minister explained that the upcoming ACT Budget will provide additional funding for the construction of a new high school in Taylor, catering for 800 students. The ACT Government is also delivering 600 more places at the Margaret Hendry school through an expansion that is already underway. The Chief Minister said that the Government will also start the planning and design for a second secondary college for Gungahlin.
“More and more families are choosing public schools for their children’s education in the ACT and nowhere is that growth in our system more prevalent than in Gungahlin. The expansion of Margaret Hendry School and the construction of a new high school in Taylor are a key part of our plans to ensure that every family that wants to attend a high-quality public school can do so in their local area.” Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Yvette Berry commented “I look forward to the completion of both the new high school in Taylor and the expansion of Margaret Hendry School as they deliver great education to more Gungahlin students.”
The Minister explained that the new high school in Taylor due to open in 2024 will offer general and specialist learning areas, small group programs, a library and an interactive learning centre. Sport and recreation spaces for students and the community will include a double gymnasium/hall, performing arts spaces and hardcourts. Minister Berry said that Margaret Hendry School’s new learning spaces, due for completion in time for the 2023 school year, will feature general learning settings, specialist learning settings including food technology, Science Technology Engineering Art and Maths (STEAM), and small group programs.
“I’m also pleased to confirm that we are starting the master planning and preliminary design works on a second college for Gungahlin. I know this is an issue that is of interest to residents in Gungahlin and the first steps towards the delivery of a second college for Gungahlin are now underway.” Minister Berry commented.
The Minister said that construction and upgrades to schools in Gungahlin are part of the ACT Government’s infrastructure pipeline, creating more good jobs as we work towards our goal of 250,000 local jobs by 2025.
