The school opens for Day 1 of Term 1 on Monday 2 February 2026. Around 830 students are expected on opening day, including approximately 180 Year 7 students.
Teaching areas, including classrooms and the library, are set to be operational from the first day, while some external works will continue after students arrive.
Photo Credit: NSW Department of Education School Infrastructure
Purpose-Built Campus In Allambie Heights
The new campus is located at 189 Allambie Road and has been developed to replace the school’s former Frenchs Forest site, which closed in December 2025 after more than six decades of use.
Designed as a long-term secondary education facility for the area, the campus has capacity for up to 1,500 students.
Facilities On Site
The Allambie Heights campus includes 73 classrooms and three special support units, alongside a library, canteen and administration spaces.
A multi-purpose sports and performance hall forms part of the development, along with outdoor sports fields and courts. Landscaped recreation areas and outdoor learning spaces have been integrated across the site.
Bike and scooter parking is provided near the secondary entrance on Allambie Road.
Photo Credit: NSW Department of Education School Infrastructure
External Works And Access
Construction activity has continued through the summer school holiday period, including driveway and footpath works, landscaping and sports facility construction.
Approved staging of surrounding access works allows the campus to open while pedestrian and transport upgrades continue. These include changes to bus stop locations on Aquatic Drive, a designated drop-off area and a new pedestrian crossing.
Plans also provide for an upgrade to the existing roundabout at the intersection of Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive to accommodate future traffic demand.
Transition From The Former Campus
Students and staff concluded their final term at the former Forest High School site in December 2025, marking the end of the school’s occupation of the campus that opened in 1961.
The relocation allows teaching, performance and sporting activities to take place within modern facilities designed to support a broad curriculum offering.
Landscaping, sports court works and boundary treatments will continue after the campus opens. The relocation of equipment and learning resources has been scheduled during the school holiday period, with efforts in place to limit disruption to school operations.
Allambie Heights is set to become the new home of The Forest High School, a modern, purpose-built campus that is getting ready to welcome over 800 students next year, marking a fresh start for the 64-year-old institution previously based in Frenchs Forest.
The new school on the corner of Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive represents one of the Northern Beaches’ most significant education infrastructure projects, with the $160-million development designed to accommodate up to 1,500 students as the region grows.
What the New Campus Offers
Artist’s impression of the soccer field at the Allambie Heights campus (Photo credit: schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au)
The Allambie Heights campus has been purpose-built with contemporary education in mind. Interactive smartboards will feature throughout the school, supporting digital learning across all year groups. The entire facility is fully air-conditioned, a considerable upgrade from the original 1960s buildings.
Students will benefit from flexible learning spaces designed around a “Learning Loop” concept – an accessible pathway connecting classrooms with outdoor learning areas. The campus includes a modern library, updated canteen facilities, and a multi-purpose theatre for music, drama and dance performances.
Sports facilities have received particular attention in the design. The school will feature a fully equipped gymnasium and fitness lab, all-weather sports surfaces, two half courts, and five multipurpose courts suitable for soccer, touch football, basketball, netball and volleyball. Break-out study and seminar spaces are included throughout the campus.
Senior students will appreciate dedicated facilities including a senior study area, senior bathrooms, and spaces located near examination rooms – creating what Lawler describes as a more senior experience for Years 11 and 12. The school’s specialist autism support unit will continue operating at the new location, maintaining the inclusive education programs that serve students with additional needs.
A Fresh Start for a Historic School
Photo credit: Facebook/The Forest High School
The original Forest High School opened its doors in January 1961 with just 318 students and 14 teachers. Over more than six decades, it became a cornerstone of the local community; the school included three members of legendary rock band INXS among its students. Now, as the school prepares to close its Frenchs Forest chapter, the move to Allambie Heights signals a new beginning for students and staff alike.
Principal Nathan Lawler has emphasised that the relocation brings significant advantages for the school community. The new 4.5-hectare site, previously home to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s McLeod House facility, offers modern learning environments surrounded by the natural beauty of Garigal National Park bushland.
Room to Grow
Capacity has been a key consideration in the relocation. While the school currently serves more than 830 students, the new campus can accommodate over 1,000, with eventual expansion possible to 1,500 places. This growth capacity isn’t arbitrary – it’s linked to significant residential development planned for the area.
The old Frenchs Forest site will be demolished to make way for a new town centre, with developers permitted to build apartment blocks up to 12 storeys high. This rezoning, part of the state’s plan to provide medium and high-density housing near the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct, will create demand for additional school places. The Forest High School is expecting approximately 180 new Year 7 students in 2026.
In a win for local residents, Northern Beaches has partnered with the Education Department to ensure community access to the school’s sports facilities outside school hours. This arrangement extends the benefit of the significant public investment beyond the student population.
As demolition equipment prepares to move onto the old Frenchs Forest site, the school community is focused on the opportunities ahead. The relocation keeps the school within its existing catchment area, minimising disruption for current families while positioning The Forest High School to serve growing communities across the Northern Beaches for decades to come.
For Allambie Heights residents, the arrival of this expanded educational facility represents a significant addition to local amenities and a vote of confidence in the area’s future.
A historic gravestone linked to the naming of Frenchs Forest has been carefully removed from The Forest High School as the campus prepares to relocate to Allambie Heights, ensuring the monument is preserved ahead of site changes.
On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, specialist heritage stonemasons removed the gravestone of northern beaches pioneer James French from the school’s auditorium wall. The removal was carried out to prevent damage or loss as the school prepares to vacate the site.
The monument, weighing about 130 kilograms, had been mounted indoors and protected from the elements for decades.
Caption: Photo courtesy of Nicole Murray, The Forest High School Photo Credit: Colin Gwyther via Find A Grave
Temporary Relocation To Lane Cove
Following its removal, the headstone was transferred to the Local Studies section of Lane Cove Library. The relocation allows the monument to remain protected while options for conservation and its longer-term placement are considered.
Possible works include stabilising existing fractures and addressing missing sections of stone.
Why The Gravestone Was At The School
The headstone was previously moved from James French’s burial site at what is now Pioneers’ Memorial Reserve in Lane Cove North after vandalism damaged the original gravesite. To protect the monument, it was later displayed inside The Forest High School in a purpose-built cabinet.
Its presence at the school meant the gravestone remained largely unnoticed by the broader community until the upcoming relocation raised concerns about its future.
James French (1817–1893) was an early settler on the northern beaches and the namesake of Frenchs Forest. He operated timber cutting and orchard activities in the area during the mid-1800s and also served in ranger and constable roles.
His work contributed to early development across parts of the northern beaches and surrounding districts.
Community Concern And Next Steps
Concerns about the gravestone’s future were raised as The Forest High School prepares to relocate to its new campus at Allambie Heights. Members of the school community and descendants of James French sought clarity on how the monument would be protected.
The headstone will remain in temporary storage while decisions are made about conservation work and the possibility of returning it to its original burial location.
Bellburra, the new premium independent living addition to Allambie Heights Village on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, has officially welcomed its first residents this week as the development reaches near full occupancy.
Approved in 2022 and now complete, the 24-apartment Bellburra building sits beside Allambie Heights Village and the Martin Luther Hostel aged care facility. It forms an integrated living environment for over-55s planning to age in place.
Only three apartments remain available after strong demand from downsizers seeking space, privacy and secure community living. The development involved Allambie Heights Village Ltd, architect Jackson Teece and builder Richard Crookes Constructions. Bellburra focuses on wellbeing, accessibility and social connection.
Apartments offer three-bedroom layouts, lift access and wide internal pathways for easy mobility, supporting move-ins now underway. Communal facilities include a resident clubhouse, sauna and spa, with bushland views and outlooks toward the city and Blue Mountains.
Strong Community Interest And High Pre-Sales
Eighty-eight percent of apartments were secured before completion. This reflects strong confidence from local residents familiar with Allambie Heights Village, which has operated since 1966.
The continuity of services and the co-location with aged care next door have fuelled community uptake, offering residents future care pathways without needing to relocate outside the suburb.
Smooth Move-In Process Underway
Residents began moving into Bellburra this week, and the operator has reported that the process has been smooth due to the intentional layout design. Most residents are expected to move in over the next fortnight.
The development is described as a major step to expand the existing community, not create an isolated village. It reinforces Allambie Heights as a long-term residential option for older Australians who want to stay independent without leaving their local area.
Limited Availability Still Remaining
With only three apartments left, Allambie Heights Village is encouraging final enquiries from interested buyers who want to remain on the Northern Beaches while moving into a lower-maintenance environment.
Safety concerns are growing around the new Forest High School in Allambie Heights, with community calls for pedestrian bridges and safer traffic management as the campus nears completion.
The Forest High School is being relocated from Frenchs Forest to Allambie Heights. Construction is due to finish before the end of 2025, with students expected to move in at the start of Term 1, 2026. The new site is located at the intersection of Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive, close to Warringah Road, and will cater for about 1500 students.
Initial plans to replace the existing roundabout at Allambie Road and Aquatic Drive with traffic lights have been withdrawn. The revised approach will retain an upgraded roundabout, which authorities say can be delivered more quickly and will accommodate future increases in traffic volumes.
The decision was made after assessments indicated that constructing the roundabout upgrade would allow work to continue while the current intersection remained in use, avoiding delays that traffic lights would cause to the school’s opening schedule.
Pedestrian Safety Concerns
Community members have raised concerns about student safety when crossing nearby major roads. Proposals for pedestrian bridges over Warringah Road and Aquatic Drive have been suggested but were not included in the project scope.
The Education Department has stated that it does not hold concerns about safety and confirmed it has worked with local transport organisations to implement traffic and pedestrian measures at the site.
Residents have expressed unease about future congestion, noting that peak-hour traffic at the junction is already heavy. Many support the installation of pedestrian overpasses, while others suggest lowering speed limits or adding further pedestrian crossings along Allambie Road.
Concerns have also been raised about access for nearby streets once the school and additional developments are operational. Several locals pointed out that pedestrian bridges are already common near other Sydney high schools, questioning why they have not been considered here.
The opening of a Bunnings Warehouse with 400 parking spaces on Allambie Road in 2026, located about 250 metres from the school, has added to concerns that the area will face even greater congestion and safety challenges.
The Education Department has confirmed it is working with the school’s leadership team to finalise operational arrangements for staff and students ahead of the 2026 opening. Community calls for further safety measures, particularly pedestrian bridges, continue as construction moves towards completion.
Four Allambie Heights businesses were among 13 local establishments targeted during a five-day crime spree that has resulted in a 23-year-old man facing 25 separate charges.
The alleged offences occurred between 16 and 22 July, with Northern Beaches Police Area Command launching an investigation into multiple break and enter incidents across several suburbs including our local area.
According to police allegations, the man broke into businesses across Allambie Heights, Forestville, Elanora Heights and Freshwater between 18 and 22 July, with investigators claiming more than $15,000 in cash was stolen during these incidents. Four businesses in our suburb were allegedly targeted during this period.
The crime spree extended beyond the Northern Beaches, with police also alleging the man broke into two locations in West Pennant Hills between 16 and 18 July, where a white hatchback and silver SUV were reportedly stolen.
Police arrested the man on Pennant Hills Road in West Pennant Hills at approximately 9am on 23 July. He was initially taken to Hornsby Hospital under police guard for assessment.
Following his release from hospital on 6 August, the man was charged at Hornsby Police Station with 25 offences. These include 13 counts of break and enter, multiple charges related to driving stolen vehicles, four counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, and several other related charges including having his face blackened or disguised with intent to commit an indictable offence.
The accused appeared at Hornsby Local Court on 7 August where he was refused bail. He is scheduled to appear again at the same court on 21 August.
The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about property crime in the Northern Beaches area. According to crime statistics, there were 382 reported cases of burglary and break and enter offences in the Northern Beaches during 2024.
Local business owners are reminded to review their security measures and report any suspicious activity to police immediately. Northern Beaches Police Area Command can be contacted on the non-emergency line or through Crime Stoppers for anonymous tips.
The investigation demonstrates the collaborative efforts of police across multiple commands to address property crime affecting local communities.
A long-running musical partnership from the Northern Beaches is set to bring its latest album launch to Allambie Heights as part of a series of live shows.
Musical Collaboration Returns to the Northern Beaches
Rod Crundwell and Stafford Sanders, who grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and first collaborated in high school, are launching their new album Musical Differences under their project Men With Day Jobs.
The pair formed their earliest band in the late 1970s, briefly signed with a major label, and released a single that was later recognised by a national music program in 2024. After the group’s dissolution, both artists pursued music-related paths while maintaining separate careers, eventually reforming as Men With Day Jobs in 2000.
The new album, Musical Differences, was released on 1 August 2025 via Apple Music and streaming services. It brings together a range of styles including folk-rock, country, bluegrass, pop, and jazz. Eleven tracks span themes from satire and social commentary to personal reflection and instrumental arrangements.
Unlike earlier albums, this release is primarily composed and performed by Crundwell and Sanders themselves, with support from collaborators on select tracks. The production took place over 2024–25, completed at Rodwell Studios. The title refers to the phrase often linked to creative splits but here highlights the strength of their ongoing collaboration.
Allambie Heights Amongst Album Launch Locations
A live performance of Musical Differences is scheduled at Humph Hall, Allambie Road, on Friday 26September 2025. This follows an earlier launch event at Gasoline Pony in Marrickville on Thursday 7 August 2025, where seating will be limited and the venue will operate under licensing and accessibility policies.
Both artists have returned to live on the Northern Beaches—Crundwell in Fairlight and Sanders in Balgowlah—supporting their continued collaboration. Past works include five previous albums, one group project under a different name, and award-winning songs that have been performed nationally and overseas. Their discography also features a climate satire that remains popular online and a recent contribution to a First Nations group.
Future performances and recordings are in development, with members Pete Purton and Kim Constable joining the project more regularly. All works are accessible via major streaming services, with video clips available on YouTube.
We’ve combed Allambie Heights, Beacon Hill, Brookvale, North Manly, Oxford Falls, and Warringah Mall for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!
Nick Z ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It was a short drive from the hotel. My colleagues did not want to have breakfast at the hotel so we took a drive down the road to Fuel.. I wanted something healthy so I decided on the Acai bowl. I was happy with the meal, nicer and refreshing. I’d say it’s in my top 5 of Acai bowls I’ve ever had. It had a good blend of fruit and granola mix with the acai. I should have asked them if they had peanut butter to make it even better. Maybe next time.
Nadav L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Visited with friends for dinner and absolutely loved it! All dishes were great and authentic, and the service from Jess and the team was very welcoming! The dips with the bagel are a great way to kick off the meal. We then had the beetroot, the grilled eggplant, and the tabbouleh salad which were all excellent. Out of the bigger dishes we tried the Turkish kofta which was very authentic and well executed and the shawarma which was great too. All of that for a very fair price. Very warmly recommended!
Bec S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This beats Ottolenghi restaurants in London! Amazing Middle Eastern flavours, beautiful presentation, fine precision from the chef in balancing flavours & careful knife skills. The staff & manager were fantastic & talked us through the traditional Israeli street food inspiring their menu. Can recommend the Jerusalem bagel with homemade dips (hummus, labneh, eggplant, olive oil w pomegranate molasses), roasted beetroot entree, Arabic kofta & coconut malabi dessert. Well done Fuel.
Simon S ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently dined at this restaurant, and I can honestly say it was an incredible experience. Every dish was not only delicious but also brought me so much joy. The flavors were vibrant and perfectly balanced, making each bite a delight. I left the restaurant with a big smile on my face and a craving to return. I can’t wait to come back and enjoy this amazing food again!
Jessica Yunjun P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The food at this restaurant is of great value for the money. The dishes were served very quickly, and all the ingredients were fresh! The customer service was kind and attentive, and there is ample parking space available. The quality of the food was superb. I will definitely come back for more.
Peter N ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The food was delicious, portions were large, all at a low cost. Impressive. Chicken karaage was soo crispy and perfectly cooked, salmon was very tasty. Staff were friendly. Reccomend.
Maria L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shaggys is a great place to go when your a local and fancy a meal out with a Freshly made Cocktail, Fantastic Food, Frozen Margarites are the best. Highly recommend this place, support our local Allambie shops with this new wine bar.. 🙂 Thanks Shaggy, we will be back soon.
Ashlee D ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I absolutely love this coffee shop! The atmosphere is always welcoming, the drinks are consistently excellent, and the service is top-notch. Isabella is especially amazing—friendly, knowledgeable, and always makes my coffee just right with the perfect amount of caramel. You can tell she genuinely cares about creating a great experience for every customer. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!
Tracey Z ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Such delicious Mexican and family friendly. So reasonable – not many places in Northern Beaches you can get away for dinner for two with two drinks under $60!! Our go to when we don’t feel cooking.
Murilo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic and very high quality Brazilian food. The service is outstanding and the owners are always working and making sure that everything is perfect. Highly recommended
Christa E ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Freshly cooked on the BBQ, the chicken hearts were so delicious we even forgot to take a picture. The hosts are so nice and they will make you feel very welcome. The great service just makes dining there such a pleasurable experience! The food is absolutely delicious, fresh and you can taste that the owners care about the food they put on your plate. Highly recommend!
Annaliese C ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This place is awesome! Ivan has absolutely nailed the art of hospitality and customer service. It feels like dinner at a friend’s house with incredible food. We loved everything we ate and we took on board Ivan’s suggestions and got that too – delicious. We loved it all so much we doubled down and ordered seconds (leaving us overfull but very happy!). Also don’t leave without getting some Churros!!
I’m BOO ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great atmosphere, clean, and delicious food. Perfect for dinner or after work, as the place stays open late. If you’re looking for a chill spot with Thai style, I totally recommend this place.
Su Min Sussan L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Everything was so delicious and well cooked. The crispy chicken entree was both crunchy and juicy! And I loved the prawn pad thai especially. I’m so happy a nice sit-down Thai restaurant has opened inside the mall, I will definitely be returning. Staff are super friendly too.
Brookvale Oval, the beloved home of the Sea Eagles, is set to undergo a security review in light of recent tragic vehicle-ramming attacks in the United States and Europe.
The Northern Beaches Council has confirmed it is collaborating with local police to assess and enhance safety measures at “crowded places” like Brookvale Oval, prioritising the protection of pedestrians from potential copycat incidents. This proactive step aims to reassure residents and attendees that their safety is paramount.
The review will focus on mitigating the risk of vehicle-borne attacks, a growing concern globally. While details of specific security enhancements are yet to be released, the council has emphasised its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone visiting the oval.
Beyond Brookvale Oval
The security review isn’t limited to Brookvale Oval. The council has also indicated that other public events, such as the Australia Day breakfast BBQ at Newport Beach and the popular Sun Run from Dee Why to Manly were also subject to similar assessments.
The move to bolster security comes after independent councillor Vincent De Luca requested information from the council regarding his concerns about the increased risk of copycat terrorism. His enquiries highlighted the community’s anxieties and ultimately prompted Council to take decisive action.
Council’s proactive approach to security at Brookvale Oval and other public events aims to not only enhance safety but also to reassure residents. By openly addressing these concerns and implementing preventative measures, Council hopes to maintain the vibrant community spirit that makes Brookvale such a special place.
A construction contractor in Allambie Heights has been fined $30,000 for causing environmental damage from sediment-laden runoff at The Forest High School site. The runoff polluted a creek home to a critically endangered fish species.
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) found that ADCO Constructions failed to implement adequate sediment controls during heavy earthworks early in 2024. As a result, polluted water escaped into Curl Curl Creek, an ecologically sensitive waterway linked to Manly Dam.
Curl Curl Creek is the habitat of the Climbing Galaxias, a prehistoric freshwater fish species that has existed for over 60 million years. The pollution raised serious concerns about the survival of this critically endangered species, which relies on clean and stable ecosystems to thrive.
The issue came to light after heavy rain in February 2024, when local environmentalists noticed brown, silt-laden water in Curl Curl Creek. Concerned residents reported their findings to the EPA, which conducted inspections with support from Northern Beaches Council. The investigation confirmed that sediment from the Allambie Heights construction site had reached the creek via stormwater drains.
Authorities also discovered that ADCO Constructions had been warned about similar run-off issues earlier in January but failed to take sufficient corrective action.
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EPA’s Response
An EPA spokesperson stated that protecting sensitive ecosystems like Curl Curl Creek is a top priority and that compliance with environmental regulations is non-negotiable. The EPA noted that adequate pollution controls were not in place at the time of the incident, which was described as unacceptable.
The EPA has committed to monitoring the construction site on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance and prevent further damage to the local environment. The organisation has also urged residents to report any potential pollution incidents to its Environment Line.
Photo Credit: Save ManlyDamBushland/Facebook
Community Concerns and Future Measures
Local environmental advocates expressed relief that the issue was being addressed but emphasised the need for stricter oversight. The Northern Beaches Council stated that it will continue to work with the EPA to enforce environmental standards at the site. The construction of The Forest High School, part of a relocation project, will remain scrutinized to ensure it does not further endanger the region’s unique biodiversity.
The EPA reminded all contractors working in ecologically sensitive areas of their legal responsibility to prevent environmental damage and protect local habitats.
