Schools Renewal
New Schools
Harrison School (2008)
Harrison School was opened in 2008. It is designed to cater for the families living in the suburbs of Harrison, Franklin and part of Gungahlin. Initially the school will cater for preschool and primary school students. It is able to accommodate 100 preschool and 450 primary students, including 30 children with special needs.
Kingsford Smith School (2009)
The school will cater for students from preschool to year 7 when it opens in 2009. It will ultimately have the capacity to accommodate, in permanent buildings, approximately 1100 students and up to 110 teaching and ancillary staff.
- Kingsford Smith School
(70kb)
Gungahlin Secondary College (2010)
Gungahlin Secondary College will be established in the Gungahlin region in 2010. The intention is that the college, to accommodate 900 year 11 and 12 students, will set a standard for modern, quality education in Australia. It will provide facilities that will encourage modern approaches to teaching and learning, and will provide the flexibility to ensure that the facility can adapt to new approaches and technologies into the future.
- Information Flyer (174kb)
Tuggeranong P-10 School (2011)
A new P-10 school will be established on the current Kambah High School site and will open in 2011. The Department is currently working closely with the community to shape options for and plan for this new school in the Tuggeranong region.
New School Models
Early Childhood Schools
Five new early childhood schools will be available from 2009. Four new schools will operate as early learning and development centres providing integrated services for children (birth to 8 years). The new schools are at Isabella Plains, Lyons, Narrabundah and Southern Cross(Scullin). O'Connor Cooperative School continues to offer a program for students from Preschool to year 2.
Hawker Collegiate
The Hawker Collegiate has been established in the Belconnen region, linking Hawker Primary School, Belconnen High School and Hawker College. These schools will forge strong links, support student transition and share teacher expertise and teaching spaces.
- Hawker Primary School
- Belconnen High School
- Hawker College
Stromlo High School 6-10 Program
The goal of the program is to provide an alternative education option for year 6 students in the Weston Creek area. Middle school practices are implemented in a secondary setting giving students the best of both worlds. The program recognises that the transition from primary school to high school is a significant step in the educational and emotional development of students. Research suggests that students who are supported and connected to their school adapt well to the challenges and achieve both socially and intellectually.
School Amalgamations
Preschool / Primary
As an outcome of the Government’s Schools Renewal program all preschools have amalgamated with a primary school, forming schools catering for students from preschool to year 6 (or P-10).
Melba-Copland Secondary School
Melba High School and Copland College have amalgamated to form a twin campus school with one administrative structure. The schools caters for students from years 7 to12.
Caroline Chisholm
Caroline Chisholm High School and Chisholm Primary School (P-6) have amalgamated to form the Caroline Chisholm School. The school is a P-10 site catering for students from preschool to year 10.
Transition Planning
The Department is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for those children who will need to move schools. Detailed transition plans are completed for all students. These plans identify each student’s individual social and academic needs. Students also participate in a number of transition visits to their new school.
Transition funding is also provided to schools that have enrolled students as a result of the Schools Renewal program. This funding is used to support activities focusing on the successful transition of students into their new school.
Transition Support
To support students affected by a school closure or change in school structure the Government is offering a one-off transition payment of $750. To be eligible a student must have taken up enrolment at another ACT public school.
Application for Transition Support (53kb) 
For more information please contact the Schools Renewal Project Officer on (02) 6205 8244.
Transport
Representatives from Department of Education and Training work closely with schools, community and ACTION to ensure transport needs for students who are moving from a closed school are addressed. A Schools Transport Liaison Committee meets regularly to respond to community concerns or requests.
Further information on school bus services is available from the TaMS website .
Priority Enrolment Areas
A priority enrolment area (PEA) is defined for each public school in the ACT. A priority enrolment area for a designated school is that area in which all resident students have priority for enrolment at that a school. Priority enrolment areas are defined by the department and reviewed annually to take account of enrolment and accommodation projections. ACT public schools do not operate on a ‘feeder’ school system.
Towards 2020 Website
This site provides all of the background, submissions and decisions relating to the 2006 Towards 2020: Renewing Our Schools proposal.
