Member for Dobell, Emma McBride talks with children at Gorokan Public School.

23 September 2026

 

LOCAL schools have now benefited from more than $620,000 in improvements, including new shade sails, new laptops, sandpits, outdoor learning spaces, technology enhancements, and a new pickleball court.

 

These targeted investments are helping create safer, healthier and more engaging learning environments for students across the Coast.

 

These projects build on the Government's commitment to strengthening public education, delivering for students, teachers and school communities.

 

The Commonwealth and State Governments have delivered the largest investment in NSW public schools in Australia's history through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.

 

The agreement will provide an estimated $4.8 billion in additional Commonwealth funding for NSW public schools over the next decade, including schools on the Central Coast.

 

This funding will support evidence-based reforms to help make sure every child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of where they live.

 

The Federal Government’s $500,000 investment, distributed through the targeted Schools Upgrade Fund, focuses on practical, everyday improvements. Local Federal MP Emma McBride announced the rollouts, emphasising that the grants aim to ensure regional students have access to modern, healthy, and resilient environments that support both learning and teaching.

 

It will make "sure our children have safe, modern and engaging learning environments is a priority of mine," Ms McBride said.

 

"These upgrades may be small in scale, but they make a real difference to students, teachers and school communities every day.

 

"I am proud to have delivered these projects and to be investing in local schools across Dobell.

 

"Every child deserves access to a quality education, and our Government is delivering the funding and support needed to help students reach their full potential."

 

The funding answers direct requests from local campuses to fix aging infrastructure and improve student well-being. Upgrades across the region range from classroom ventilation and air conditioning overhauls to the creation of sun-safe, shaded outdoor learning spaces. Funds are also being used to purchase new digital learning equipment, including updated iPads and laptops, closing the technology gap for regional students. Seven public and independent campuses secured individual grant allocations under the program:

 

• Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College

 

• The Entrance Public School

 

• Wamberal Public School

 

• Toukley Public School

 

• Hopetown School

 

• TLK Youth College (Berkeley Vale)

 

• Wyong Christian Community School

 

Ms McBride noted that these investments alleviate immediate financial pressures on school budgets and parents' citizens associations, allowing principals to fast-track essential safety and comfort projects. At schools like Toukley Public and Wamberal Public, the focus on sun-safe play spaces and proper climate control is expected to drastically improve student focus during the peak summer months.

 

"This is about investing in our kids' future," McBride said, "reinforcing the government's commitment to equitable education funding on the Central Coast.

 

"Providing modern facilities and up-to-date technology gives our local students the best possible start."

 

With the first phase of funding now delivered, works are already underway across several Dobell campuses. Parents and school communities can expect to see these new outdoor areas, cooling systems, and digital resources fully integrated by the upcoming school terms.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE to the Grapevine News Online and to the monthly e-book edition of the Grapevine Community Weekly. Our online news platform and monthly newspaper is about real local news and events. We will not spam you or share your details with third parties.