The look of the new primary school and preschool in West Dapto is starting to take shape, but it still needs a name. Image: NSW School Infrastructure.
Concept designs for the new public primary school and preschool in West Dapto are being finalised and planning documents are being prepared, with the community now being called on to help find a name for the school when it opens in 2029.
Architects, project managers and engineers have created designs and plans which will shape the school being constructed to cater for Dapto’s rapidly growing population.
Artist’s impressions show peeks of the site which will include 24 permanent, fit-for-purpose classrooms and three support classrooms, a multipurpose hall, covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and open spaces, administration and staff areas and a preschool with a capacity of 60 children per day.
Although the project is in the early planning phase, a big decision is in the mix on what the school will be called and the community is getting a say.
A survey seeking feedback on the name shows that Wongawilli Public School is currently proposed, but other options for respondents include: Horsley Public School; a name that represents an aspect of the local area; a name that represents an aspect of our Indigenous heritage; a name that represents a significant feature/impact of the area; and a name that represents an aspect of local flora and/or fauna.
“The choice of a name is of particular importance to schools as it will remain with the school throughout its history. A suitable name is highly desirable and great care should be exercised in selecting it,” the survey by the Department of Education states.
“The department follows a strict policy to choose names for schools and for specific parts of school premises which are appropriate, acceptable to the local school community and do not duplicate past or present names.
“Whenever possible the school should adopt the name of the suburb, town or locality in which it is situated.”
After consultation, the Minister for Education and Early Learning makes the decision on the final name, however there are processes and rules about what will and won’t be considered.
Except for special circumstances, names won’t be submitted to the minister for approval if they include a term such as road, street, avenue, crescent, drive; include compass points such as north or south or are directional, such as lower or upper; begin with ‘the’; are named after people still living; are names of schools of places elsewhere in NSW or Australia or likely to cause postal confusion; or if the name is just clumsy and too long.
These requirements would render West Dapto Public School unsuitable as it includes the compass point ‘west’.
The naming survey will close on Sunday 24 May at 5 pm.
The school is set to open on day one, term one of 2029 with finalised plans set to go on public exhibition mid this year alongside a construction contract tender release.
The construction contract is expected to be awarded late in 2026 for main construction to start in 2027.
Elements such as the catchment area for the school, enrolments and the assignment of a principal are expected around 12 months before project completion.
More consultation and surveys on key areas which impact the community and future attendees of the school are expected to be undertaken throughout the process with community feedback also set to inform aspects such as the school logo and uniform.
For more information on the project, to receive updates or to submit a survey response visit the NSW School Infrastructure website.
