Shoal Bay Public School would receive $3 million to build a new school hall and benefit from a range of NSW-wide education commitments proposed by Labor if the party was elected on March 23.
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This was the pledge Labor MPs Kate Washington and Jihad Dib, the shadow minister for education, made outside Shoal Bay Public School on Wednesday morning while outlining the party's commitments to education.
“The Shoal Bay Public School P&C has been pushing for a new school hall for years. Right now, there simply isn’t enough room to fit every one in,” Ms Washington said.
Currently, the school is required to stagger its assemblies because the hall is not large enough for the 400-child student body at the one time.
The $3m pledge comes as part of Labor's Schools and Hospitals before Sydney Stadiums plan.
“Kate Washington made it very clear to me that the current school hall wasn’t up to scratch, and we had to do something about it,” Mr Dib said.
“This is a beautiful school with a lovely school community. As a former school principal myself, I’m so pleased we’re going to be able to support the school community with a new $3 million hall.
“And we can build it because Labor has the right priorities. We’re focused on schools, not splurging $2.2 billion on Sydney stadiums."
NSW Labor has pledged to spend $7.4m on upgrading and building NSW schools.
Wednesday's announcement builds on Labor’s previous education commitments, including:
- building a public high school in Medowie,
- employing 5,000 additional teachers across the state,
- delivering 100 per cent of Gonski’s needs-based funding model,
- replacing 1000 ageing demountable classrooms,
- air conditioning every classroom across the state,
- funding an extra 150 specialist disability teachers and support staff
- giving $5,000 to every P&C each year, and
- ensuring every child can learn a second language
Ms Washington has this week, so far, delivered key election commitments to health, roads and education.
On Monday Ms Washington, joined the shadow minister for health, Walt Secord, committed to a $15.2m upgrade to Tomaree Community Hospital.
On Tuesday, she joined the shadow minister for roads, Jodi McKay, at Salt Ash to announce Labor's plan for Nelson Bay Road.
The pair said a NSW Labor Government would spend $600m to complete the final three stages of the Nelson Bay Road duplication. The promise was conditional of the Labor party being elected in the 2019 and 2023 state elections.
On Wednesday, in Shoal Bay, Ms Washington and Mr Dibs outlined Labor's education commitments which included spending $3m on a new hall for Shoal Bay Public School and delivering a public high school in Medowie in its first term of government, if elected.
“Kate Washington made it very clear to me that the current school hall wasn’t up to scratch, and we had to do something about it,” Mr Dib said.
“This is a beautiful school with a lovely school community. As a former school principal myself, I’m so pleased we’re going to be able to support the school community with a new $3 million hall.
“And we can build it because Labor has the right priorities. We’re focused on schools, not splurging $2.2 billion on Sydney stadiums."
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
