Early enrolments are rolling in for Port Stephens' newest high school that is set to open next year.
More than 130 students are enrolled in the incoming Year 7 cohort at the new Medowie High School, which is on track to open Term 1, 2027.
This week, the member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington, visited the site to inspect construction progress after it began in September last year.
Ms Washington said she kept meeting local families who were excited to start the new year at the school.
"Our community always knew this school was desperately needed, and these enrolment numbers prove it," she said.
The early enrolment figures are reportedly similar in size to other high schools in the area, according to the state government.
The new high school will include 29 classrooms, including facilities for specialist support classes, workshops for science, wood and metalwork, creative and performing arts spaces, a hall, library, administration, canteen and sports facilities.
The new school project was developed to meet the needs of the fast-growing Medowie community, which is expected to increase by more than 4000 residents by 2040.
Medowie High School principal Kylee Beasley said she was looking forward to welcoming the first students and building a strong school community.
"It is particularly encouraging to see so many students coming from local partner schools and choosing to continue their secondary education within their community," she said.
Minister for Education Prue Car said the government was working on making sure every child could attend a local public school, close to their home.
"With more than 130 students already enrolled in its first year 7 cohort, the evidence is clear - this school was desperately needed," she said.
In the early months of construction, some Medowie businesses and residents raised concerns that the new high school could trigger traffic chaos.
The government, however, said road and infrastructure upgrades on Abundance Road and Ferodale Road were in progress, including providing safe student pick-up, drop-off and pedestrian access.
As part of its 2023 election commitment, the state Labor government promised a $53 million high school on Ferodale Road on land acquired in the early 1980s.
Fast forward to 2026, and the costed project is now estimated to cost more than $96 million at the new six-hectare Abundance Road site.
The school location was chosen due to the Ferodale Road site partly being ruled out over investigations identifying significant biodiversity value.
Year 7 enrolments for the school are still open via edu.nsw.link/NewHSMedowie-Enrol.
