Parents at Kyeemagh Infants School will be popping champagne corks this week to celebrate news the little school is set to expand into a primary school.
The school’s P&C has led a campaign for more than a year to get the school reclassified.
The school currently caters for about 60 children in years K-2 (kindergarten to Year 2), with parents pushing for it to be reclassified into a K-6 school.
The NSW Government announced this morning the school would be developed from an infants school into a primary school, providing additional teaching spaces and upgraded facilities to address enrolment growth. More details about the expansion are yet to be released.
The expansion is part of a $1.6 billion boost in funding to be included in tomorrow’s state budget, which will go towards infrastructure projects in more than 120 primary and high schools across the state, during the next four years.
“I can’t believe it, we just heard the news,” Kyeemagh Infants School P&C secretary, and school parent, Louise Sheehy said.
“We have been really working hard towards this. There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes – we are very happy.”
She said they were waiting to hear more information about the details of the expansion, but were rapt the school would be reclassified into a primary school.
“We have been hearing informally that it is looking good but until you get something in writing you don’t know, so today’s news is what we have been waiting for.”
She said the expansion would mean parents with more than one child would not need to look elsewhere for a more convenient school, which could cater for more year groups.
“Also children won’t have to change schools [so soon] and they can keep their friendship groups. It is such a great community here.”
The P&C and parent-led campaign saw a petition signed by over 1000 supporters last year which was handed to Rockdale MP Steve Kamper. Mr Kamper has been a supporter of the campaign and passed on the petition to the state government.
“Kyeemagh Infants is a great local school and the students deserve to be able to continue their education there through to Year 6,” Mr Kamper said.
"I'm glad the minister has listened to the community's calls to have Kyeemagh reclassified.
"Without the ongoing advocacy of the students, parents and staff this never would have happened."
Kyeemagh Infants School (also known as Kyeemagh Public School) is turning 75 this year.
- Other upgrades announced today for schools in the St George region:
- Penshurst Public School: The school will be replaced by “a brand new school, which will provide state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff,” Oatley MP Mark Coure confirmed.
- Penshurst West Public School: Upgrade to existing school.
- Hurstville Public School: Install a four-classroom modular building and minor core facilities upgrade to address enrolment growth.