Holy Family Primary School Master Plan

Holy Family Primary School is located in western Sydney, in an area of significant socio-economic disadvantage, and cultural diversity. The local communities include many Aboriginal, Tongan, Samoan and Mauritian people, whose children will attend the new primary school. The site for the school is of significance for the local Aboriginal communities and is currently used for Gatherings, as well as many other activities run by the Catholic Church and volunteers from the local area.

As it is anticipated that the majority of children attending the school will be of Aboriginal descent, the school has been designed to meet their particular needs, and also to be a non- threatening, non-institutional environment, unlike many standard schools. As such, the forms of the buildings are based on a circular plan to accommodate the traditional circular form of ‘Gathering’ in Aboriginal communities.

The buildings are of a domestic scale and construction, using simple materials and colours designed to fit in with the surrounding environment, both natural and man made. Outside areas are arranged in such a way that they may also be used as teaching and activity spaces. A visual link between inside and out is retained through the judicious use of materials. The intention is for students to feel comfortable attending this school and to reduce the level of truancy common in these communities, and provide specialized education for the needs of these local communities.

For more information, please visit the Holy Family Primary School website.