Willyama High School rebuild

In the coming months, the project team will finalise the documentation required to appoint a construction contractor to progress design and construction of the new Willyama High School. We expect that the contractor will be onboard in mid 2025, with construction starting by 2026.

While it was noted that the department works from a standardised design and Education Facilities Standards and Guidelines (EFSG) when building a new school, the design for Willyama High School will progress in consultation with the school leadership to ensure that the local specific circumstances, such as extreme climates are considered. 

The new school will include climate-responsive features such as air conditioning, openable windows for natural ventilation, and covered walkways. We are also exploring additional measures that go beyond the standard Education Facilities Standards and Guidelines to enhance the school’s ability to handle extreme weather conditions common in Broken Hill.

The new Willyama High School will be master planned to allow for future expansion. While the initial build will meet current and projected demand, the design includes provisions for additional classrooms and facilities if student numbers increase. This ensures that the school can grow in response to the community’s needs.

Earlier this year, the department consulted with staff, student representatives and the Broken Hill community to voice their thoughts and opinions regarding public secondary education provision in Broken Hill. The consultation was also designed to hear a wide range of views about the facilities needed at the new Willyama High School to set the school up for future success. The overall feedback reiterated the need to support the new school in meeting the students’ cultural, wellbeing and learning needs as well as considering upgrade needs for Broken Hill High School. 

The report from this consultation has now been finalised and is publicly available at edu.nsw.link/WHSConsultationOutcomes 

While we must adhere to standardised design guidelines to ensure equity across new school builds, we value the input from the school community and will incorporate their feedback where possible to personalise the new school.

The new school will feature specialised facilities, including industry-standard wood and metal workshops, a commercial kitchen for hospitality, and agricultural spaces. These facilities will support the strong focus on vocational education in Broken Hill.

The new school will provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students. This includes accessible classrooms and core facilities, elevator, accessible parking, and specialist facilities designed to accommodate and support all students.