News
26 February, 2026
Premier pays special visit to Bowral High School
The NSW Premier Chris Minns paid a visit to Bowral High School alongside Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan on Thursday morning to have a look at the school’s facilities and meet with teachers and students to chat about the recent upgrades to the school.
The NSW Premier Chris Minns paid a visit to Bowral High School alongside Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan on Thursday morning to have a look at the school’s facilities and meet with teachers and students to chat about the recent upgrades to the school.
The State Government has been assisting in funding for upgrades to Bowral High School, as well as to Picton High School and the opening of a new preschool, public school and high school in Wilton in 2027 and 2028.
Bowral High School recently celebrated the opening of their new industry-standard creative and performing arts centre, dubbed ‘The Theatre’, as part of a commitment to enhance high potential and gifted education (HPGE) opportunities for students.
The state-of-the-art performing arts space provides students opportunities to develop backstage skills, along with public-facing drama, dance, music, debating and movie making opportunities.
‘The Theatre’ is also available for public school students across the Southern Highlands region to use.
As part of the NSW Government’s commitment to provide HPGE opportunities, teachers at Bowral High School are receiving targeted training to ensure the best use of the new performing arts centre.
The Bowral High School upgrade also includes their visual arts and science classrooms, hospitality facilities fitted out to industry standard, plus their wood and metal work rooms.
“The upgrades at Bowral High School, including the cutting-edge performing arts centre and specialist classrooms, reflect our commitment to help every student reach their potential,” Premier Minns told The Southern Wire.
“Our investment in projects at schools across the Wollondilly electorate represents a real step forward for education across the Southern Highlands.
“We are delivering first-class facilities for Wollondilly and the Southern Highlands as we rebuild public education in New South Wales.”
Bowral High School Relieving Principal Safija Bristina, agreed with the Premier’s statement.
“We are thrilled with our new creative and performing arts centre, ‘The Theatre’, a state-of-the-art facility and the best performing arts space in the Southern Highlands, endorsed by industry experts,” Mrs Bristina said.
“It provides our students with top-tier, industry-standard resources to nurture their talents in dance, drama, music, and more.
“This fantastic space not only enhances our high potential and gifted education programs but also allows us to engage with local primary schools, strengthening our community ties.”
At Picton High School, a recent upgrade transformed unworkable learning spaces delivered under the failed open-plan learning experiment of the former Liberal National government into 26 state-of-the-art classrooms, as well as seven new staff and seminar rooms.
Construction is also underway on the new high school, public primary school and public preschool for the growing community of Wilton, with all three set to open Day 1, Term 1, 2027.
In addition to the new and upgraded schools, there are currently more than 15 maintenance and minor works projects underway in Wollondilly’s existing public schools to ensure students have a great environment to learn in.
The projects are part of the State Government’s record $9 billion investment in new and upgraded schools.
Students in Wollondilly are also benefiting from more teachers in the classroom, with local schools starting the year with 66.6% fewer vacancies compared to the peak of the teacher shortage crisis overseen by the former Liberal National Government.
“We have not had any improvements to education in Wollondilly for 70 years,” Member for Wollondilly, Judy Hannan said.
“Thanks to the NSW Government, Wollondilly families have brilliant facilities and deserve it. I look forward to the much anticipated opening of Wilton High School, Wilton preschool and Public School with students in place at the start of next year.
“I am also pleased Bowral High School now offers a comprehensive High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program designed to nurture student talents across academic, creative, sporting, and social-emotional domains. I thank the NSW Department of Education for allocating $8 million to upgrade Bowral High School for this purpose.
“Tangara School in Renwick also has an additional classroom for students with special needs.
“The Picton High school upgrade now has functional classroom walls and a new school hall. I know educators are enthusiastic about teaching our local students - clambering to get a teaching position in our local schools, rather than running from Wollondilly to teaching jobs outside of the electorate.
“I appreciate working with The Hon. Prue Car and the Premier. I hope the state government's commitment to Wollondilly’s educational future and investment continues. I look forward to more education project announcements in the Wollondilly electorate.”
Read More: Bowral, Southern Highlands