New state-of-the-art $46M primary school

A new public school opened its doors at the former Ryde High School site for up to 1,000 students and 70 staff, with 43 learning spaces including three special education classrooms and the refurbishment of existing & construction of new car parking facilities for 47 spaces.

The school site is complex, located away from the geographical centre of the student catchment area, and with a single street frontage. Locating a new school on the site of a previous school, which had been closed for over 30 years, provided benefits in some aspects, and challenges in others.

With a single street frontage, minimisation of local traffic and parking issues was a key concern for this development. Continued consultation with local and state road authorities ensured full coverage of these issues, which will also continue into the future with additional active and public transport initiatives. Road widening works are also implemented along Smalls Road to accommodate additional kiss and drop facilities and short-term parking.

Our Traffic Team has been working with School Infrastructure NSW to prepare a holistic School Transport Plan for the opening of the new site. This plan sets a framework for continual transport improvements through extensive collaboration with local authorities including City of Ryde and Transport for NSW to keep our kids safe and healthy across footpaths, bike lanes, and public transport rather than clogging our roads with cars.

Client: School Infrastructure NSW

Architect: Conrad Gargett

Builder: Richard Crookes Constructions

Value: $46M

Completion: 2020

Sector: School & Colleges

Services: Traffic