Catholic Schools Broken Bay (CSBB) is transforming quality, inclusive education for students with a disability by:
- Building staff capacity across the region to meet the needs of students with disability in mainstream classrooms.
- Increasing the network of Eileen O’Connor Support Classes across the region in existing CSBB Primary and Secondary schools.
- Building a K-12 Eileen O’Connor Base School using land located at Tuggerah, in the Central Coast region of the Diocese of Broken Bay.
Eileen O’Connor Catholic School will provide quality Catholic education for students with a disability from Kindergarten to Year 12. Collaborating in the Mission, focusing on human flourishing, using Christ’s example to serve, we believe that every child is a unique individual created by God and valued as an individual learner with strengths, gifts, and talents.
The flexible and responsive model of education for students with disability is delivered through the structure of a connected base school with a network of support classes in local parish schools. Situating support classes within existing school sites promotes interaction and inclusion of students in learning opportunities, as well as school events and activities such as sport, carnivals, excursions and concerts.
Building our Vison
A concept design and fly-through for Eileen O’Connor Base School has been created by Stanton Dahl Architects and includes:
- Capacity for 200 students.
- Small adult:student ratios.
- 20 General Learning Areas catering for students in Kindergarten – Year 12.
- Flexible workspaces for Hospitality, Science, Technology and Creative Arts.
- State of the art library.
- Sensory indoor and outdoor play spaces.
- Learning spaces designed to support collaboration with allied health professionals for tailored interventions and in-class support.
- Amenities, storerooms and staffroom.
Questions and Answers
Catholic Schools Broken Bay is a system of schools committed to providing an inclusive model of education for students with disability. Our inclusive model of education focuses on strengths to promote engagement, enable learning growth and flourishing.
We know raising a child with disability can have a significant impact on many aspects of family life. There are limited education options for students with a disability on the Central Coast with many students and families travelling to the Sydney Metropolitan area daily. CSBB is committed to providing these services to local families.
The school has been designed to meet the needs of students. This requires safe, easy, level access for student drop-offs and pick-ups. The design of the school responds to the unique needs of the student group requiring a wide range of environmental supports including quiet and low stimulation areas. There are also design elements to reduce noise impacts on the adjacent neighbours.
Due to the size, location and capital investment the project is considered to be a State Significant Development (SSD).
Further information on the SSD process can be found on the Major Projects website: http://www.nsw.gov.au– significant projects
There will be a period of public exhibition for the project with the assessment process taking six to nine months.
The estimated timing for works to commence on-site is 2026.
The school is already operational with students receiving tuition in parish CSBB schools. Once the school facility is built additional students will receive their education at the site with day one operations planned to commence in 2028 depending on building completion.
Enrolments are accepted through the Eileen O’Connor Catholic School website.
We are working with traffic consultants to determine the level of traffic the school will generate. The design of the school accommodates the drop off and pick-up of students by parents in a safe manner.
CSBB will consult with Council and Transport NSW on traffic solutions for the school.
We’ll continue to keep you informed through the existing project and school channels. As works advance, we’ll share information through project updates, works notifications, information sessions, newsletters, email and phone.
All major project communications will be shared on Catholic Schools Broken Bay Strategy Page. While the school will also share updates intended for the school community on its own webpage.
Download a copy HERE