Canberra’s 92nd public school, North Gungahlin High School was officially renamed Aunty Agnes Shea High School in mid-2024. Located in Taylor, the innovative public secondary school serves the rapidly growing north Gungahlin region with infrastructure to provide learning facilities for up to 800 students and associated staff, including external learning environments.

Awarded the mechanical services contract for the $95 million education facility by Hindmarsh, Benmax successfully completed work on the project in late 2024 with the facility welcoming new students to years 7 and 8 for the 2025 school year. The student intake will continue to grow over the coming years with the school expected to be nearing capacity by 2028.

Featuring two main buildings with extensive learning facilities, the site also incorporates a dedicated performing arts centre, specialist learning settings, administration spaces and staff facilities. Consistent with the ACT Government’s commitment to act on climate change, the school is fully electric in its operation, including the mechanical HVAC systems. Built using sustainable materials the site also includes double glazed windows, air permeability membranes, and is powered by a large 250kW solar photovoltaic and battery system.

The Benmax team are highly skilled in building intelligent HVAC systems that adapt to the demands of modern education while meeting the sustainability goals of our clients. The successful completion of the Aunty Agnes Shea High School build adds to an expansive portfolio of major public and private education projects for the team that includes Canberra Girls Grammar School, Marist College Canberra and the Australian National University.

Project features

• New construction
• Fully electric facility
• Two main buildings catering to 800 year 7 to 10 students
• Double gymnasium
• Performing arts centre
• Specialist learning settings
• Administration spaces
• Staff facilities
• Community accessible spaces
• Electric HVAC systems
• Environmental initiatives including 250kW solar photovoltaic and associated battery system