PUPILS with special needs at Chelsea Heights Primary School will be among the first to benefit from a state government Inclusive Schools Fund program.
Labor Education Minister James Merlino and Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson visited the school on Monday to confirm Chelsea Heights Primary will receive a $200,000 grant to transform its school hall into an interactive sensory space and multipurpose area suitable for physiotherapy.
Principal Jane Satchwell welcomed the funding and said all of the school’s pupils will benefit in some way from upgrades to the Julie Elliott centre, named in honour of one of the school’s first teachers more than 100 years ago.
“The area will re-engage pupils and help them self-regulate in the classroom,” assistant principal Pia Licciardo said.
NAPLAN scores have risen since the school introduced sensory based learning to complement the school curriculum.
Mr Richardson said the new sensory room will improve education outcomes for students with special needs.
“I congratulate principal Jane Satchwell and assistant principal Pia Licciardo and the wonderful parents and students for realising the school’s vision of excellence for every child and look forward to working with them through this exciting time.”
The Special Needs Plan will see 33 projects funded via a $10 million program.
“The Special Needs Plan is helping us achieve this vision by giving students with disabilities the same chances as other students who do not face the additional challenges of a disability,” Mr Merlino said.
Schools unsuccessful in the first round of the Inclusive Schools Fund can apply again in future rounds for funding.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 24 February 2016
