newy.com.au – Chisholm will get a new public primary school and preschool, with the NSW Government confirming the project will be fully funded in the 2026-27 State Budget.
The school will be built on a 2.9-hectare site at 547 Raymond Terrace Road and is scheduled to open on Day 1, Term 1, 2030, for up to 1000 students. The government says the project is aimed at easing pressure on nearby schools, including Thornton Public School, which is also being upgraded to increase capacity.
Chisholm has been identified as one of the fastest-growing communities in NSW after significant population growth over the past 15 years. The new school will be the first new public school built in Maitland since 2007.
Planning is under way for the campus, which is expected to include modern classrooms with shared common areas, support classrooms, multipurpose spaces, a multipurpose hall, games court, sports field and preschool.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the investment was needed to support families in the growing suburb.
“Chisholm is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in regional NSW, and the Minns Labor Government is proud to be investing in the essential infrastructure like public schools to support families in this booming area,” Ms Car said.
“This new primary school and preschool will be a landmark investment for the area, providing local students access to a world-class public education that will set them up for life.”
The project forms part of the government’s $9 billion investment in new and upgraded schools across NSW, including $2.1 billion in regional NSW. In the Hunter, the program includes a new public school, preschool and high school in Huntlee, a new high school in Medowie, the redevelopment of Gillieston Public School and the Thornton Public School upgrade.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the budget continued work to rebuild public education in regional areas.
“Working families should be able to access a quality education in a world class learning facility, no matter where they live,” he said.
Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said the school would support a community that had grown rapidly for more than two decades.
“Maitland is the fastest growing LGA in New South Wales outside of Western Sydney for over two decades. This is the first new school that has been built since 2007, and the suburb of Chisholm was built without any new schools. This investment is a vote of confidence in Maitland’s future,” she said.
