PSHS Facility Update

In late 2016, a program to plan the renewal of the school site was undertaken by the whole school community.

Labelled "Revital-eyes", the planning saw parents, students and staff looking around the school to identify areas that were no longer fit for purpose or in need of revitalising. This project also presented opportunities to raise funds to ensure students had the best possible learning environment that we could provide.

Needless to say, in a school that turned 70 in 2020, the list was long and aspirations were high. In 2023, we relaunched this program with a fresh set of eyes. The images below, visually represent so many of the before and after comparisons as well as new projects that were identified since this program was initiated in 2016.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed in the many years since!

The success of "Revital-Eyes" has been a genuine team effort. Families have contributed very significant amounts of money through school contributions, tax deductible donations into one or both of our funds (Building and Library), donated in kind goods and services and so much time.

We are grateful for the strong support from the P&C, NSW Department of Education and the Asset Management Unit and community leaders such as our State and Federal MPs and CBD Corporation CEO - Gai Hawthorn.

Our valued Alumni have made significant contributions, often through financial donations following a reunion or school visit and we value the connection to the past, the care of their school and the support they provide current students in many ways, including mentoring.

Since 2017, the following projects have been completed and the list is long, but also an outstanding reflection of the special community that is our school.

Projects undertaken in 2024:

• Renovations to two of the school’s bathroom facilities including the A Block unisex toilets

• Ongoing renovations to the front of the school with the design and installation of signage to the front of the school which includes an Acknowledgement of Country and our school’s values.

• Installation of picnic benches in the War Memorial Garden

• Asphalt resurfacing to History Block and the Hockey Field side of the High Street Staff Car Park which also included a proper kerb and gutter to form a barrier between the pavement and the surrounding gardens

• The installation of a new long jump pit cover

• Painting of classrooms, including new carpet

• Purchasing of new classroom furniture for two classrooms

• The creation of a new Co-Curricular Office in the reactive and Performing Arts Courtyard.

• Extension to the Lethbridge Street bus bay with appropriate signage to ensure the safety of students and staff.

On behalf of every student and staff member, thank you for playing such a large role in ensuring our school facilities continue to be the best that they can.

Please see below for photos of the updates and continue scrolling for past updates.

Kind regards,

Jaclyn Cush

Principal

Projects undertaken in 2023:

• The creation of a Student Services Hub in the school’s Library which will provide a space for students to seek advice and support from key staff members. This space will be opened mid 2024;

• The installation of a plaque at the school’s cricket nets to recognise the significant contribution of ex staff member, David Russell to the establishment and early success of the school’s cricket program

• Renovations to the front of the school with the creation of an extension to the Alumni garden with a new rose lined path leading to an ANZAC memorial which includes a backdrop of ‘PSHS’ hedge letters

• The creation of new garden beds in H Block and the front of the school

• Asphalt resurfacing to the back Bus Bay

• The installation of new shade sails in the lower Quad Assembly Area

• School Hall lighting and vision upgrade which included an update to the power distribution and the installation of a wireless and digital system with complete LED lights and four moving heads

• Painting of classrooms, including new carpet

• A well needed upgrade to the English staff room including storage, shelving and office furniture

• Finally, in 2023, the P&C did a wonderful job advocating for an extended bus bay on Lethbridge Street to ensure the safety of students and staff. Planning for this project has been happening but we are yet to be given an anticipated start date.

Projects undertaken in 2022:

• Roof replacement project which saw the roof replaced in the school’s Hall, A block as well as parts of H Block and T Block

• The completion of an additional car park (entry via Colless Street)

• An extension to our Alumni Garden with the completion of two additional pathways. The first pathway extends from the school entrance (next to Penrith Public School) to the staff carpark and includes additional pavers which are available for purchase and personalisation). The second is from the staff carpark to the existing pathway. Both are rose bush lined.

• Renovations to the School Library which included the creation of a collaborative senior study space that comfortably allows 45 students the space to collaborate in at any given time. Renovations to the upstairs senior study space for individual study are underway.

• The installation of a replica plaque to signpost the school’s oval which is historically known as the H.E McGregor Oval. Mr Hector McGregor was the first Principal of Penrith High School. As noted on our school website, the original is kept in our archives.

• Reinvigoration of the school’s vegetable garden.

• The creation of a large mural which completed the Yarning Circle project and involved students working with a local indigenous artist.

• Classrooms were not forgotten with Vivi installed in every learning space as well as the School Hall. Vivi is a collaborative learning tool that enables teachers and students to share, display, annotate, capture and save information in real time.

The projects undertaken in 2019, 2020 and 2021 before, during and after both COVID 19 lockdowns include:

New upgrades:

• Framed portraits with bronze name plates and postnominals of all past Headmasters/ Principals (located in the front foyer)
• The Wendy De Paoli Gallery (formerly A block gallery- see below) to showcase student artworks and acknowledge the service of former Principal, Mrs Wendy De Paoli
• A Block stairwell mural to mark 70 years of historical highlights and student excellence across all fields of pursuit
• Full hallway carpet and stair upgrades in both levels of A block
• Upgrade to Hockey Field gardens and rear carpark
• Installation of 5 new flagpoles parallel to the main driveway (school flag and the four house flags in order of the current placing of houses- updated fortnightly)
• Historic style bollards to improve student access to the Alumni Garden and to mark the soon to be installed new concrete pathway featuring personalised pavers (tax deductable via the school website)
• Full LED lighting upgrade in all classrooms, hall & gym, offices and hallways.

Former Upgrades

• Upgrading the T Block (old IA area) quad with seating, new grass, landscaping and 4 outdoor table tennis tables.
• Upgrading the gardens outside the Canteen/Gymnasium
• Construction of the Alumni Garden continued and was used for the 2020 and 2021 Year 12 Graduations (instead of the hall due to COVID) and features over 300 personalised pavers and has added to the environment that we all enjoy each day.
• The dust bowl also known as the Hockey field was irrigated, top dressed and fenced
• The Basketball/ Tennis Courts were re-fenced and outdoor seating was installed along with a water filling station. In addition new pathways were completed and sandstone stairs installed for easier access up the incline.
• A new carpark near the Basketball Courts was started but will be completed after COVID 19 lockdown
• The school foyer received an upgrade including 2 large (wall paper size) historical pictures of the Towers Mansion that sat on our site before 1950.
• The A block bulkheads were decorated with the school values and quotes voted as inspiring from the 2019 Student Voice Competition held in Education Week.
• The A block Art Gallery was installed with 30 frames that are used to showcase student works and are rotated each term.
• The gym was air conditioned to complete a 4 stage facelift which also included the construction of the student cafeteria, painting and new Audio Visual equipment for presentations and lessons.
• The long standing but unused (due to safety) Cricket nets were demolished and rebuilt given the love of cricket amongst the student body.
• Classrooms were not forgotten and all rooms were painted and 100 additional notice and white boards were installed to enhance learning.
• 10 rooms received new furniture to foster collaboration in lessons.
• The NSW Government funded, Cooler Classrooms which saw all classrooms installed with reverse cycle air conditioning as well as air quality control. Details can be found here: Cooler Classrooms
• Pathway near the History Block out to High Street upgraded
• The new Yarning Circle completed except for mural to be added after COVID 19 lockdown

At the front of the school, we have a new "Alumni Garden" which was completed and opened in October of 2020. A feature of the garden are the two remaining pieces of the Towers Mansion that sat on the site before it was purchased to build the school in the late 1940s as well as individual pavers purchased by current and former students/ families. Donations are tax deductible and can still be purchased via this link.

With a modern layout and fresh styling, our new front office area creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for parents, students and staff to enjoy.

Our Towers wall mural presents the historic progression of our beloved Penrith Selective High School, dating back to 1950 when our school officially opened to the public, before gaining academic selective status in 1989.

Framed portraits and bronze name plates with years of service and postnominals (Qualifications)

While we are an academic selective high school, we value the importance of our creative and performing arts sector, encouraging students to explore their abilities in music, drama and art.