Medowie High School

About the project
Get involved
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As part of the NSW Government's plan to rebuild public education, the NSW Budget is delivering $2.3 billion for new and upgraded schools in regional NSW. This targeted investment will ensure growing communities get access to a world class public education.

This project will deliver a new high school for the growing community in Medowie. This is in addition to upgrades for Irrawang High School and Hunter River High School.

Enrol now

Earlier this year, we invited the community to have their say on the new Medowie High School. More than 200 parents, students, staff and community members answered questions about values, uniform, logo, operating hours, and extracurricular activities.

We are now in the process of designing the logo and uniform. Both will feature a minimalist yet modern design with a neutral colour palette

We will keep the community informed as these items progress.

The benefits

26 modern classrooms with shared common areas and multipurpose spaces.
3 support classrooms.
Facilities for specialist support classes.
Specialist workshops and labs.
Multipurpose hall.
Library.
Administration.
Outdoor play.
Sports facilities.

Timeline

Planning

Design

In progress

Complete

Progress summary

Enrolments are now open for Day 1 Term 1 2027 for Year 7 students. To enrol visit edu.nsw.link/NewHSMedowie-Enrol.
The process to formally name the new school is complete, with the Geographical Names Board officially signing off on Medowie High School in line with community feedback.
Construction is well underway with all structures topped out, roof sheeting installed on Block C and structural steel completed on Block B.
The staff carpark kerb and guttering is complete and contractors have started electrical and plumbing, as well as heating networks. .

Next steps

Project gallery

Image: Entry view with students in uniform
Image: Street view with students in uniform
Image: Quadrangle view with students in uniform

Additional information

Frequently asked questions

When will construction start?

When will construction be completed and when will the school open?

How was the site selected?

The Department of Education conducted an expressions of interest process, which identified the new site at 6 Abundance Road Medowie. The site selection was guided by:

site size - ensuring the site can accommodate required buildings and open spaces and allows for future growth
location - prioritising safety, accessibility, transport, walkability and proximity to primary feeder schools
environmental and cultural context - minimising impacts to biodiversity and respecting the heritage by integrating it into the design
risks - assessing risks such as flood or bushfire hazards
site servicing - ensuring access to utilities such as water, sewer and electricity.

The school site is 6.51 hectares. Planning has included development of a master plan that allows for expansion of school facilities to support future growth and student enrolments to 2036. Future expansion would be subject to a separate review and approval process.

How is the school designed to minimise impacts to stormwater and flooding?

The design of the new high school has taken the existing stormwater infrastructure into careful consideration. We are committed to ensuring that the development meets the required standards from Hunter Water Corporation and does not contribute to increased flooding.

Stormwater infrastructure
There is currently no stormwater infrastructure on the western side of Abundance Road. As part of the project, we will expand the stormwater network, including the installation of an underground pit and pipe system to direct stormwater from the road into the Council’s system on Ferrodale Road. Site stormwater will be collected in an onsite detention tank, filtered and released into the stormwater system gradually.
Kerb and gutter installation
New kerb and guttering will be installed along the western side of Abundance Road (next to the school site) to direct stormwater into the new underground stormwater pit and pipe system, helping manage runoff and preventing water from impacting nearby properties.
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater from the school’s roof will be stored in tanks and used to irrigate the school grounds, reducing the burden on stormwater systems.
Site area and water infiltration
The new buildings and hardscape cover approximately 20% of the overall school site. The vast majority of the site will enable water to naturally infiltrate the ground, ensuring natural water flow is maintained.

How is the school designed to minimise impacts to the existing sewerage network?

Planning for the new high school has considered the size of existing sewer infrastructure and has been designed to meet the required standards from Hunter Water Corporation (HWC) who own and operate the sewerage network in Medowie.

We are designing the school’s sewerage system in accordance with HWC requirements. The school will not pump the school’s sewer directly into the local network due to the size of the network. This is standard across sites in the local area that are connected to the sewer main. The design includes septic tanks and holding tanks, with a low flow pump out to the sewer main to prevent overloading in accordance with HWC requirements.

How are transport and traffic being considered?

We understand transport is a key concern for the community. A School Transport Plan will be developed to encourage students to choose alternative modes of transport, which is the primary and most effective means of mitigating demands and congestion on the surrounding roads.

We will continue to consult with Port Stephens Council and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to ensure the transport needs for the new school are met.

What infrastructure will be provided to support transport and traffic around the school site?

The Department of Education promotes sustainable travel opportunities, and the project includes several measures to support this, including:

undercover bike and scooter parking
kiss and drop bay
accessible drop-off bay and parking spaces within the staff car park
bus bay
pedestrian crossing on Abundance Road to give pedestrians priority and increase the safety of students arriving by foot or bicycle
new footpaths connecting into existing pedestrian infrastructure.

What parking will be provided?

What year groups will the high school open with in 2027?

What will the school catchment area be?

When can I enrol my child?

Fast facts

Commencement

September 2025

Forecast completion

Day 1 Term 1 2027

Architect

Macella Slazmann NBRS

Builder

Hansen Yuncken

Electorate

Port Stephens

Address

6 Abundance Road Medowie NSW 2318

News

New Medowie High School Reaches New Heights with Topping Out Milestone

Construction has topped out on the new high school at Medowie, marking a major milestone.

Construction begins on the Hunter Valley's first new high school in 25 years

Construction officially begins on a new high school in Medowie, the first new high school to be built in the Hunter Valley in more than 25 years.

Get involved

We are committed to working together with our school communities to deliver the best possible learning facilities for students.
Opportunities for school communities to get involved in the project will be shared on this page.

Get in contact

Your feedback on this project is important to us. For more information or to make an enquiry please complete the contact form or call us on 1300 482 651.

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Information packs
Project updates
Reports
Works notifications

Everything you need to know about your new or upgraded school.

Information pack - November 2024

(PDF 1 MB)