The Stage One construction program has been finalised and will include:

Mother Teresa Primary:

• development of proposed new primary school, Mother Teresa Primary - development includes learning areas and classrooms for an initial enrolment of students from Kindergarten to Year 1. This facility will be expanded during subsequent stages of development to provide accommodation for a total enrolment of up to 420 students

Catherine McAuley Westmead:

• development of two levels of general learning areas above the primary school during 2009 and partial fit-out of the middle floor
• the fit-out of the remaining space to provide additional general learning areas is to be completed in a subsequent stage
• four classrooms (Block F) to be vacated for demolition and relocation to four additional temporary classrooms by early 2009
• relocation of music and other demountables prior to Term 1, 2009

Parramatta Marist High:

• conversion of upper level St Vincent’s to accommodate Project Based Learning (PBL) prior to Term 1, 2009
• conversion of additional existing classrooms prior to Term 1, 2009
• provision of two additional temporary classrooms prior to Term 1, 2009
• current PBL / study centre to be vacated for demolition early 2009
• provision of alternate outdoor games court prior to vacating existing court early 2009

Further stages are currently being determined to maximise supplementary funding opportunities and to ensure the order of construction minimises student and staff disruption. The planning committee is working on the staging at present, now that the master planning is near completion.

At all times during the development, alternative accommodation, suitable to the learning and teaching needs of the schools will be provided.

The need to minimise disruption to students and ensure the safety of students and staff is paramount, and will be incorporated into the planning and provision of these equivalent learning spaces. Continuing access to technology will be provided. 

Noisy construction will be limited to out of school hours (before and after school, weekends, school holidays) to minimise disruption.

We are committed to the wellbeing and safety of our students and staff at all times. In relation to OHS issues we have well-established procedures in place to meet our obligations and responsibilities. There are reporting processes in place to address any OHS issues via the school OHS committee or school principal.

As part of the consultation process, an OHS assessment will be conducted at the school level and reported via the school principal to the precinct planning committee for review. In relation to the building works, contractors who are engaged, must comply with all workcover requirements. Any site-specific issues during construction can be raised with the OHS committee or school principal.

There is a need for a second Catholic primary school in Westmead to respond to the high demand for Catholic education in the area. Sacred Heart Primary is not large enough to accommodate the demand and cannot be expanded on its parish site. The addition of a second primary school will help serve the need in the area.

A total of $25 million has been committed and allocated by the Diocese of Parramatta towards the project. For the first stage Commonwealth Government funding of $1.9 million has been approved by the NSW Catholic Block Grant Authority.

Government grants will be sought for parts of the project that qualify, noting there is always some uncertainty about government funding. This is one of the most significant investments into Catholic education by the diocese in the next seven years and the diocese is committed to its completion.

A traffic management assessment has been conducted by independent traffic management consultants, Stapleton Planning and Transport (STAP). The traffic management plan has been lodged with the master plan to Parramatta Council for planning approval.

Download a  summary of the traffic management assessment and recommendations.