We are building a school to meet the needs of students with a disability across our community.
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 schools.
- 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
Stanton Dahl Architects have designed a school that 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
- Amenities, storerooms and staffroom
- Off street staff parking
- Safe drop off and pick up for students within the school grounds
- Community gathering space
Questions and Answers
A Transport & Accessibility Impact Assessment, Preliminary Construction Traffic & Pedestrian Management Plan, and Green Travel Plan have been prepared in accordance with the State Significant Development Application requirements.
These reports carefully examine local traffic conditions and outline practical and proactive measures to reduce impacts on nearby intersections and the surrounding community. Proposed operational measures include:
- Staggered drop-off and pick-up times to ease peak congestion;
- On-site student drop-off/pick-up zones with managed traffic flow;
- Promotion of sustainable travel options through the NSW Government’s ‘Assisted School Travel Program’ and a dedicated Green Travel Plan for staff;
- Provision of dedicated staff parking and secure bicycle storages;
- Infrastructure upgrades, including construction of a pedestrian footpath and road widening along Keefers Glen, as well as compliant driveway designs; and
- Education initiatives to promote road safety among parents, carers, and visitors.
The current access plan was based on careful consideration of site logistics, expert planning advice, and flood constraints. It aims to ensure safe, efficient access for vehicles and pedestrians while complying with relevant regulatory and environmental requirements.
To further reassure the community during the construction phase, a range of mitigation measures will also be implemented, including:
- Scheduling truck deliveries outside school peak times as much as possible;
- Keeping construction activities contained within the site and maintaining clear, safe pedestrian routes with appropriate hoarding and traffic control;
- Ensuring emergency vehicle access and access to neighbouring properties is always maintained, with temporary arrangements provided, if necessary;
- Providing on-site construction worker parking, encouraging carpooling, and supporting the use of public transport through secure tool storage;
- Appointing SafeWork NSW accredited traffic controllers to help manage vehicle and pedestrian interactions at site entry/exit points;
- Establishing a clear monitoring and review process led by the Construction Project Manager; and
- Implementing an ongoing community consultation plan to keep neighbours informed and address concerns promptly.
To help keep pedestrians safe during school operations, a range of measures are proposed, including:
- A new public footpath and widened road infrastructure;
- Clearly marked and dedicated pedestrian paths within the site;
- Driveway designs that support safe crossings;
- Supervised and and carefully managed student drop-off and pick-up areas; and
- Prominent signage and coordinated traffic management to minimise risk at key access points.
The location was selected based on proximity to existing education infrastructure and available land. It provides an accessible and appropriate setting for a specialist facility tailored to the needs of students with disability on the Central Coast.
Contractors will implement dust suppression, noise mitigation measures, and restricted construction hours to minimise impact on residents.
To further reassure the community during the construction phase, a range of mitigation measures will also be implemented, including:
- Scheduling truck deliveries outside school peak times as much as possible;
- Keeping construction activities contained within the site and maintaining clear, safe pedestrian routes with appropriate hoarding and traffic control;
- Ensuring emergency vehicle access and access to neighbouring properties is always maintained, with temporary arrangements provided, if necessary;
- Providing on-site construction worker parking, encouraging carpooling, and supporting the use of public transport through secure tool storage;
- Appointing SafeWork NSW accredited traffic controllers to help manage vehicle and pedestrian interactions at site entry/exit points;
- Establishing a clear monitoring and review process led by the Construction Project Manager; and
- Implementing an ongoing community consultation plan to keep neighbours informed and address concerns promptly.
Dedicated on-site parking has been included in the design to accommodate staff and visitors, reducing pressure on nearby streets and ensuring safe, easy access to the school.
A detailed stormwater management plan has been developed to ensure water runoff is controlled and does not impact local streets. The plan aligns with best practice environmental standards and planning controls.
Community engagement commenced in 2023 through a door knock campaign to share early plans with nearby residents. The State Significant Development Application (SSDA) is a rigorous process that follows a set of requirements that must be adhered to, ensuring it can be submitted as per the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) guidance. This includes how the community are engaged and DPHI have now distributed letters to surrounding residents. There has been continual communication through our websites and socials. CSBB are committed to engaging the community and responding to any concerns raised.
This project is an education and faith-based initiative of Catholic schools Broken Bay in the Diocese of Broken Bay. It responds to a recognised need in the Central Coast for a purpose-built educational facility that supports students with disability – enhancing access to inclusive high quality Catholic education in the region.
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 on the Central Coast with many students and families travelling to the Sydney Metropolitan area on a daily basis. CSBB is committed to providing these services to local families.
The school is already operational with students receiving tuition in other CSBB schools. Once the school facility is built additional students will receive their education at the site with day one operations planned to commence early 2028.
Enrolments are accepted through Eileen O’Connor Catholic School website.