Sydney (Press Release, 29 Jan): NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Education
Adrian Piccoli today welcomed students back to school for 2014 and opened a new $15.5 million public school at Oran Park, built to accommodate growing student enrolments in South Western Sydney.
Mr O’Farrell and Mr Piccoli opened the new Oran Park Public School along with local MP Chris Patterson on the first day of school for 2014.
“The start of the school year is an exciting time for all students, and it is especially exciting for these students at Oran Park who are beginning their school lives in brand new classrooms today,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The opening of the $15.5 Oran Park Public School demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering projects that support the continued growth of Western and South Western Sydney.
“About 120 students are starting their first day at Oran Park Public School today, which will eventually accommodate up to 720 students.
“Oran Park Public School joins Bass Hill School for Specific Purposes and the Marie Bashir Public School in Strathfield as new public schools opening today for the first time.
“As Western Sydney continues to grow we are getting on with the job of building the infrastructure that is needed. The opening of Oran Park Public school today will relieve pressure on nearby schools in the Camden and Narellan areas.”
Mr Piccoli said more than 1.14 million students across the State will go back to school today for the beginning of the 2014 school year.
“This new school at Oran Park has been built to prepare today’s learners for tomorrow’s world. They will have access not only to the latest technology but, importantly, to a team of dedicated teachers to help them,” Mr Piccoli said.
“Teachers matter and that is why we are working so hard across the State to improve the quality of teaching, which research shows is the single largest in-school influence on student performance.
“We are introducing minimum standards for school leavers who wish to study education, providing better support for new teachers and enhancing professional development over the whole of a teacher’s career.
“We have also secured $100 million in extra funding for public education in NSW by signing the Gonksi agreement, while a new Resource Allocation Model will ensure a more equitable distribution of funding.”
Member for Camden Chris Patterson said that since coming to office the NSW Liberal & Nationals Government had invested more than $32 million in school maintenance and capital works in the Camden electorate.
“The new Oran Park Public School is a fantastic investment in the Camden electorate, and in the coming year, we will also see work start on a new primary school at Spring Farm,” Mr Patterson said.
