A vacant block of land previously proposed for Flinders High School. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
After years of delays and community pressure, the long-awaited Flinders High School is a step closer, with planning “well under way” and next steps expected to be announced later this year.
Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos said funds were secured in the 2025-26 State Budget to continue planning of the high school.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering a high school for Flinders, with planning well under way,” Ms Houssos said.
“Funding was allocated in the 2025-26 Budget for planning this school, in line with our election commitment and I look forward to updating the community on next steps later this year.”
Her comments come after last month’s Shellharbour City Council meeting, where councillors unanimously backed a push for answers on State Government funding to finally deliver the school, after more than a decade of community frustration over delays.
Councillor Kane Murphy brought the motion to the meeting, calling for a letter to be sent to Shellharbour MP Anna Watson asking why funds for the school were excluded from the State Budget and when would the project be fully funded.
“We’re not asking for luxuries, we’re asking for a school,” Cr Murphy said.
“The absence of a high school in Flinders forces students to travel long distances, often on overcrowded public transport, to access their right to an education.”
Other councillors also highlighted overcrowding at nearby schools, like Warilla High, resulting in families in Flinders, Dunmore and Shell Cove being forced to put children into private education, which they couldn’t afford.
When asked about Cr Murphy’s questions, Ms Watson echoed Ms Houssos’ comments.
“The NSW Department of Education is progressing plans for a new high school at Flinders, reflecting its ongoing commitment to providing quality school infrastructure in growing communities,” Ms Watson said.
“Planning for Flinders High School is part of a broader education infrastructure program across the Illawarra and South Coast, including delivering a new public school and preschool in West Dapto, a new public school and preschool in Calderwood and six additional preschools in existing schools across the Illawarra.”
Ms Watson has been an advocate for the high school, sharing the announcement in March 2023 of the planning process for the West Dapto primary school and Flinders High School beginning immediately.
“The West Dapto and Shell Cove/Flinders areas are some of the fastest growing in the state, with thousands of new dwellings planned to be built in the catchment areas of existing public schools,” she said at the time.
“Families moving into these new suburbs desperately need new schools to cater for the growing number of students.”
While Ms Watson didn’t confirm the new high school’s location, in a 2023 social media post she stood near vacant land at the back of Flinders Public School, stating at the time it was the “site for the new Flinders High School”.
Community response has been mixed for the school, with some acknowledging there were already four government and five non government high schools in the Shellharbour area.
However, others shared stories of being promised a high school for their child decades ago, with one person stating: “I’ve been here 26 years and it was supposed to be built the year my son started high school. He’s now 32”.
Another said in 2003 they were told it would take “20-plus years for the area to grow to justify a high school” and that “with several private schools being built in the area it extended this need”.
Meanwhile, on Thursday (2 September), Premier Chris Minns was in Kiama announcing funding for upgraded science labs at Kiama High School, alongside its former student and Labor candidate for the Kiama byelection Katelin McInerney.
Refurbished laboratories will boost the school’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics programs, giving students access to modern, purpose-built facilities.
Upgrades will also include new lifts, ramps and a new school hall stage lift to support students with disabilities.
As the son of a public school teacher, Mr Minns said he knew schools were the lifeblood of communities and “we want teachers and students to have access to world-class facilities no matter where they learn”.
“Thanks to these brand-new science labs, Kiama High School will be supporting the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.”
Kiama High principal Catherine Glover said the upgrade would help create opportunities for students to explore, experiment and gain a deeper understanding of the technologies that would shape their future.
“Education is the key to opportunity in life and we are committed to partnering with our community to create a school where all students are challenged to excel in a nurturing and inclusive environment,” Ms Glover said.
“With the right tools and experiences, they can adapt to any challenge and thrive in any career pathway they choose.”
