Narrabeen Sports High School Archives

Narrabeen Sports High School To Build 500-seat Theatre In Major Campus Revamp

Photo Credit: Narrabeen Sports High School/Facebook

Narrabeen Sports High School is set to receive a purpose-built 500-seat performing arts theatre, giving students a dedicated space to learn, rehearse and perform in dance, drama, music and entertainment production.

A Campus Renewal For Creative Learning

For the first time in its 71-year history, Narrabeen Sports High will have a dedicated performing arts centre, featuring a 500-seat theatre, two music rooms and a dance-ready rehearsal space. The new venue will also host school and community events.

*Photo Credit: Narrabeen Sports High School/Facebook*

School principal Heidi Currie described the development as a major step forward, saying staff and students are looking forward to using modern spaces that support a wide range of learning experiences. She said the upgrades will offer a more inclusive and flexible environment, especially for senior students completing HSC subjects in performance.

School Upgrades Already Underway

The theatre is part of a larger NSW-funded upgrade, which has already delivered new science labs, updated TAS rooms, refurbished amenities, a new roof, and fresh turf on the school oval previously used by a nearby primary school.

Next, 20 general learning classrooms in Block C will be rebuilt, with designs finalised and a builder to be appointed soon. The theatre, known as Block K, will go to tender in the coming months.

Community Support And Advocacy

The school’s P&C has been recognised for its strong advocacy, helping raise concerns in recent years about leaking roofs, mould and water damage, issues identified in 2023 that helped shape the current upgrade.

MP Jacqui Scruby said she advocated for improved facilities and welcomed the inclusion of performing arts, reflecting Pittwater’s creative culture and giving students more ways to express themselves.

A Year 8 student from the school’s dance program described the announcement as meaningful, saying it would finally give creative students a space equal to what already exists for sport.

A Future-focused Investment

Narrabeen’s upgrade is part of a $8.9-billion NSW schools investment. While works run through to 2027, most classrooms will be ready by mid-2025.

The school community says changes are already making a difference, with the new theatre seen as a much-needed boost for local talent.

Published 17-April-2024

Olympic Bound: Narrabeen’s Sariah Paki Tackles Paris 2024

Narrabeen Sports High School alumna Sariah Paki, a 22-yr-old powerhouse in women’s rugby sevens known for her brutal defensive style and infectious energy, will be competing in her second Olympic Games.

Read: Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club to Rebuild After Devastating 2021 Fire

The journey of Sariah Paki

Sariah Paki made her World Series debut in Dubai in 2019, becoming the youngest player ever to compete for Australia on the global stage. Her international career began even earlier, with her first appearance for Australia in the Dubai 7s in 2018.

The young rugby star has already amassed an impressive list of achievements:
– Participated in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo
– Won a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
– Contributed to Australia’s victory at the 2022 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town

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Paki played in every 2023–24 SVNS tour leg as Australia placed second in the league and won the Grand Finals in Madrid last June.

Known affectionately as “Big Girl” within the squad, Paki is recognized for her tenacious style of play, particularly in defence. Her impact extends beyond the field, with teammates often citing her as the team’s chief comedian.

Personal life and character

Standing at 1.72m, Paki comes from a family deeply rooted in sports. One of six siblings, her sister Aaliyah Paki has played touch football for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL Touch Premiership in Australia.

Paki’s vibrant personality shines through both on and off the field. She plays a crucial role in maintaining team morale, often using humour to deflate the pressures of high-level competition. “I like bringing that character to the crew and not always being in a serious environment every day when you come in here,” Paki says.

At just 22 years old, Paki’s rugby career continues its upward trajectory. While firmly established in the Sevens format, she has hinted at a potential interest in the 15s version of the game, showcasing her versatility and ambition.

Read: Riding Two Waves: Ruby Trew To Her Dual Olympic Glory

Paki is set to represent Australia in Paris 2024, adding another exciting chapter to her already impressive career. The sevens group stage takes place on July 28 and 29, with Australia facing South Africa, Great Britain, and Ireland. Paki and the Australian team aims to improve upon their quarterfinal finish in Tokyo 2020.

Published 19-July-2024

Narrabeen Sports High School Named Among Seven Olympic Pathway Schools

Video Still Credit: Facebook / Narrabeen Sports High School

In NSW’s pursuit of cultivating future Olympians, Narrabeen Sports High School joins six other distinguished public schools to become the new Australian Olympic Pathway Schools.

The official designation of the seven Sports High Schools in New South Wales (NSW) as Australian Olympic Pathway Schools marks an important milestone for the state. The main goal of this partnership is to increase the possibilities open to gifted athletes in NSW, allowing them to progress in both their athletic and academic careers.
The seven Sports High Schools that have received this prestigious recognition are as follows:
Narrabeen Sports High School
Endeavour Sports High School
The Hills Sports High School
Hunter Sports High School
Illawarra Sports High School
Matraville Sports High School
Westfields Sports High School

The state government also confirmed an additional $1.5 million investment to extend the highly successful “Olympics Unleashed” school program until 2026, emphasizing its commitment to supporting students through the transformative power of sport and equipping them with essential life skills such as decision-making, goal-setting, and resilience, which has already benefited over 75,000 Year 9 students in the past three years.

Furthermore, this extension will allow thousands more young individuals, including primary school students, to reap the program’s rewards, delivered by inspiring Olympians and aspiring athletes. This further recognises the vital role played by public schools, particularly remarkable sports high schools, in shaping Australian sporting excellence, thus solidifying their well-deserved recognition as “Australian Olympic Pathway Schools.”

Minister for Sport, Alister Henskens conveyed his excitement, stating that the students currently enrolled in these sports high schools will be the heroes standing on the podium at the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

He further stressed that this pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in Australia, will inspire even more high school students to pursue their dreams relentlessly. Additionally, it will provide comprehensive programs aimed at helping young individuals remain focused and motivated whilst navigating their academic studies and striving to forge a successful pathway in their respective sports.

With the NSW Government’s commitment to fostering sporting excellence and empowering young athletes, New South Wales has established itself as a trailblazer in developing the next generation of Australian sporting champions. This momentous achievement sets a new benchmark for other regions and reaffirms NSW’s status as a powerhouse in the realm of sports education and talent development.

Published 24-May-2023