School crisis in The Hills Shire continues to escalate with 13 schools operating above their enrolment cap and three schools being forced to accommodate double their intended student capacity.
This comes with a prediction of significant population growth in the region. By 2041, The Hills Shire is projected to be home to 328,600 people, a massive 71% increase from the current numbers.
At present, there are 68,000 homes in The Hills Shire. With the NSW Government’s housing target of 23,300 homes to be built here over the next five years – many families with school-aged children are expected to settle in the area. New schools will be essential to accommodate the expected rise in student numbers.
As on date, The Hills Shire has approximately 46 schools including nine high schools, 30 primary and seven K-12 schools (a mix of public and private).
“We are one of the fastest growing councils in the country with the most overcrowded schools in the state and while the NSW Government is approving new homes for our Shire, they are doing nothing to address the schools’ crisis,” said Dr Michelle Byrne, Mayor of The Hills Shire Council.
Not only is there a lack of funding for new schools, many existing ones are already under strain – with record enrolments, dozens of demountables and outdated facilities.
“Parents tell us their children endure mould-covered demountables and 1950s toilets at Baulkham Hills North Public, asbestosriddled buildings at Castle Hill High, and a Wi-Fi connection so bad that Department of Education staff bring their own 5G dongles when they visit the school,” said the Mayor.
Katherine Kirk, President of Castle Hill High School P&C, said the local high school – which recently made headlines over asbestos concerns – is operating well beyond capacity, with nearly 2,000 students on a site originally designed for just 900.
“This severe overcrowding has left the campus reliant on 51 demountable classrooms, with facilities that are simply not fit for purpose,” said Mrs Kirk. “Students are dealing with outdated and insufficient toilets, no changerooms, poor drainage that causes flooding, unreliable Wi-Fi and no covered walkways or bus shelters to protect students and staff from the elements,” she added.
Nadine Vijaykumar, Vice President of the Baulkham Hills North Public School P&C, said the school is struggling with 20 demountable classrooms, some more than 15 years old and are prone to leaks, which in turn soak carpets and contribute to mould growth.
“Our children are being disadvantaged by the facilities available to teachers and students. The library is tiny, there is not enough space for active or play-based learning and the school hall is undersized. The P&C had to raise funds ourselves to install modern AV equipment,” she said.
The Hills Shire Council estimates that 15 new public schools will be required across the region to meet the demands of the booming population. The recommended areas include Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Norwest, Bella Vista/ Kellyville, Box Hill and Gables.
