Greater Western Sydney’s growing north-west area is set to have a brand-new $123m school offering contemporary skills-based learning for Kindergarten to Year 12 in state-of-the-art facilities.

Earthing Solutions got involved in the project supplying and installing electrodes for the indoor substation for high voltage specialists ARA Electrical Services.

The Planning Commission approved the development on the 15,000sqm site in April 2020 and construction commenced in early June. Work was well underway by the time Earthing Solutions came on board. The team had a small window of around six hours to crane in drilling equipment, install the electrodes, and remove the equipment.

Earthing Solutions Director, David Gale said, “The compressor and drilling rig had to be craned over the building under construction and then swung in under the soffit. The equipment had to be manouevred into position in a very restrictive area. Fortunately, the most compact drill in the Earthing Solutions’ fleet, the GEO 105, was perfect for the job.”

To fulfill the design requirements, Earthing Solutions had to install three 4.8m-depth electrodes in the substrata rock. “The crane-in crane-out went without a hitch, and we completed the project successfully,” said David.

The school plans to start welcoming students into the purpose-built learning space in the second semester of 2021. The construction is proceeding along a tight schedule and it was critical that Earthing Solutions adhere to the stringent turnaround.

The new school, Santa Sophia Catholic College, will cater to 1900 students in four-to-six-storey buildings with learning areas, creative and performance hubs, open space and sporting facilities.