The Minns Labor Government can reveal a new and expanded Maitland Grossmann High School will be built in Chisholm, next door to the new public school and public early learning, giving local families a one-stop drop-off for a world-class public education from preschool to Year 12.
The new 4.2-hectare site will ensure the 140-year-old school will be rebuilt bigger and better to meet the needs of the growing Maitland community.
To be located off Dublin Drive in Chisholm, within the Thornton North Urban Release Area, one of Maitland’s fastest-growing areas, the expanded high school will provide modern facilities and permanent classrooms for 1,500 students when it opens in 2030.
The project will deliver 81 new classrooms including 14 support learning classrooms, as well as specialised classrooms including a vocational education and training (VET) kitchen. The new school will also include a multipurpose hall, games courts and playing field, library, covered outdoor learning area, staff amenities and lift access.
The high school will be located next door to the new primary school and co-located public early learning service in Chisholm which are also due to open in 2030, ensuring local families in this growing area can access public education and early learning close to home.
All students currently enrolled at Maitland Grossmann High School and permanent staff will transition to the new school once it opens, with the Department of Education working closely with school leadership to ensure the design reflects the needs of the current and future school community.
A range of works have been completed at the current school to ensure students are supported until the new school opens, including new covered walkways, shade structures and outdoor seating, a vocational education and training hospitality kitchen, replacement of timber retaining walls between Blocks F and M, and external paintwork.
The new school further expands the Minns Labor Government’s delivery of public education infrastructure across the growing Hunter region, which includes:
New public primary school, preschool and high school in North Rothbury (Huntlee)
New public primary school and co-located public early learning in Chisholm
New high school in Medowie
Gillieston Public School redevelopment
Thornton Public School upgrade
12 new public preschools due to open early next year
The 2026-27 Budget delivers a $9.2 billion investment in school infrastructure in NSW over the next four years, including $2.2 billion in regional NSW.
In addition to funding new and upgraded schools, the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild public education includes putting qualified teachers in front of every classroom, with improved pay and conditions, bringing vacancies down to a 12-year low.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
As one of the Hunter’s fastest-growing areas, Maitland families deserve access to world-class public education close to home.
Not only are we expanding Maitland Grossmann High School on a new site, we’re building it next door to a new public primary school and early learning. This means future students will have a public education pathway right through to Year 12 all on the one site.
The local member Jenny Aitchison has been pushing to find a bigger site for this new high school and has been a huge part in delivering more classrooms for growing families in Maitland.
This is part of the government’s investment in rebuilding public education in the Hunter so that families have the schools and facilities they need for decades to come.”
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
I am excited to share our plans for the relocation and rebuilding of Maitland Grossmann High School on this site in Chisholm, right next door to the brand new public primary school we are building with co-located public early learning, which will be a game-changer for local families.
The rebuild and expansion of Maitland Grossmann High School will honour the legacy of a school that has been at the heart of this community for more than 140 years, while giving future generations of students the modern facilities they deserve.
Maitland families are seeing their community grow, and we are committed to supporting that growth by delivering world-class local public schools built for the future as part of work to rebuild public education across NSW.”
Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison:
Established in 1884, Maitland Grossmann High School has a special place in the history of our community and in the lives of generations of local families.
It’s incredibly exciting to be able to give this school a new home in the heart of one of our fastest-growing communities, with the space, facilities and classrooms to welcome the next generation of students.
Having the high school alongside a new primary school and public early learning service means families in Chisholm will have access to quality public education right on their doorstep – from the earliest years through to the HSC.
When the doors open in 2030, I want future students to find what thousands of Maitland students have found over the past 140 years: a place to learn, thrive and a school they’re proud to belong to.”
Maitland Grossmann High School principal Neil Fara said:
“This is exciting news for our school community and an important step towards supporting our growing student population into the future.
“While we look forward to what lies ahead, we will continue to focus on providing the best possible education for the students in our classrooms today.”