Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson with Minister for Education Pru Car and former Labor candidate for Kiama Kaitlin McInerney at the site of the future Calderwood public primary school on Wednesday (12 March). Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
Calderwood kids will walk through the doors of their own public primary school at the start of 2028, according to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car.
Ms Car announced the opening date alongside Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson and former Labor candidate for Kiama Kaitlin McInerny on-site in Calderwood on Wednesday (12 March).
The site will also feature a public preschool that can cater for about 60 children; the primary school will have capacity for 600.
Ms Car said the new public primary school and adjoining preschool were part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to rebuild public education, with the 2024-25 budget delivering significant education funds, including $1.4 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW.
“This targeted investment in growing communities will ensure every child in NSW has access to a world-class public education in their local area,” she said.
“This much-needed new school and preschool is a game-changer for the growing Calderwood community, where families waited too long for a new school under the Liberals and Nationals.
“Local families have moved into one of NSW’s most beautiful areas where they can build their dream home – they have a right to expect their child can go to a local public school.”
The school and preschool will be located at a site on the corner of Calderwood Road and Escarpment Drive in Calderwood, not far from Calderwood Christian School.
A state Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) is in place to secure the land from developer Stockland.
The site is due to be handed over to the Department of Education later this year. Ms Car said construction would begin in 2026.
At the announcement on Wednesday Ms Watson acknowledged Ms McInerney’s advocacy for the school.
“This is one of the fastest growing areas in NSW and Kaitlin was instrumental in this piece of land being set aside for community infrastructure,” Ms Watson said.
“No-one gets out and knocks on doors harder than Kaitlin and that’s what we want in an advocate for the community.”
Once the new suburb is complete it will house more than 6000 homes and 10,000 residents.
A preliminary master plan has been developed for the school and will be shared with the community ahead of an information session to be scheduled in coming weeks.
The new primary school will include modern classrooms, a library, hall, covered outdoor learning area, support learning classrooms, administration and staff areas and play space.
The school will have access to sports fields set to be constructed on adjacent land.
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