Accessible playground incoming

Officer Specialist School. Picture: GARY SISSONS 201141_05

By Mitchell Clarke

Officer Specialist School will receive $200,000 to build an accessible playground under the Inclusive Schools Fund.

Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing announced on Thursday 2 April, that architectural firm Searle and Waldon Architecture Pty Ltd had been appointed to design the school’s project.

“This is great news for Officer Specialist School students,” Ms Shing said.

“They will get the benefits of new inclusive spaces to cater for a wider range of options for teaching and learning.”

An additional $10 million was announced in the 2019-20 State Budget, as part of the state government’s $40 million Inclusive Schools Fund.

Ms Shing said the fund was a reflection of the commitment to inclusive education, which ensures students with disabilities and additional needs are given the same opportunities as other students.

“Disability doesn’t need to be a barrier to learning and achieving,” she explained.

“These innovative projects are all about giving our primary schools the infrastructure they need to inspire a passion for learning in all students.”

Since the fund was established in 2015, more than 230 creative projects to build inclusive learning spaces, outdoor sensory areas and accessible playgrounds have been announced.

The new accessible playground will be complemented by new shade areas across Officer Specialist School’s junior and senior school play areas.

The school was successful in obtaining $25,000 under the state government’s school shade grants last November.

Officer Specialist School assistant principal Kylie Scott told the Gazette they were hopeful the shade sails project would be completed by the middle of 2020.