“We’re ready.”
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They were the words of a Warrnambool Special Developmental School student which summed up the anticipation of the turning of the first sod at the new school site on Thursday.
Education Minister James Merlino was in the south-west on Thursday to mark the beginning of building works at the new Wollaston Road site.
More than 60 people attended including community members, staff, school council members, teachers and construction representatives.
Fairbrother Construction was awarded the tender to build the $19.6 million facility. Works are scheduled to be completed by October next year and children are expected to be in their new classrooms for term four, 2019.
Mr Merlino said it was a wonderful day for the school and broader community who came together and fought hard for the new school which would accommodate 170 students.
“I haven’t been involved in a school project where the community has been so involved and interested in the outcome, in the campaign to get funding and the campaign to support the school in the delivery of a new school,” Mr Merlino said. “I’m just so so excited to be here.”
He said the existing conditions “weren’t up to scratch” and the new school was “a win” for the school community, congratulating them on the work they’d done on behalf of “these beautiful children”.
Mr Merlino said building the school sent a message to the local and Victorian community that every child deserved the very best.
“We’ll get in as quickly as we can to ensure these kids get the facilities that match the teaching, the learning, the love and the care that is already provided at Warrnambool.”
School council president Jay Everall said the “great vast land” they were standing on was a strong contrast to the cramped conditions of the current site.
He said the new building would provide so many more opportunities for the staff and students, including new programs and initiatives.
Mr Merlino also toured the Portland Bay School and Portland Primary School as part of the visit.