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A principal with 32 years of teaching experience has been appointed to lead a new state-of-the-art school designed for children and young people with a disability.
The school – designed to accommodate 168 students aged 5-18 – is part of a $2.5bn investment by the Victorian Government to build and upgrade schools across the state.
The North Geelong Special Development School (SDS) will open for students in Term 1, 2018 and will provide specialist education services and a range of facilities to accommodate a range of basic and complex student needs.
The brand new facilities will include a hydrotherapy pool, a games hall, sensory gardens and rooms with interactive equipment to provide students with visual, auditory and tactile activities.
The school will also include dedicated spaces for healthcare professionals so students can access services such as speech pathology, physiotherapy and occupational therapy at school.
North Geelong SDS’ incoming principal, Suzanne Armstrong, told The Educator that she felt “privileged and excited” to be appointed principal of the school.
“The new school will provide specialist education services for students with a moderate to severe disability from five to 18 years of age, in first-class facilities,” she said.
“The amazing opportunity to establish a contemporary learning environment that will ensure the best possible curriculum and therapy programs for students led me to apply for the principal position.”
For the past ten years, Armstrong has been the principal of Colac Specialist School, where she has overseen a range of engaging programs that aim to develop students’ educational, social, behavioural, physical and emotional well-being.
Armstrong said a principal has “a major role” in creating the teaching and learning opportunities and pathways that will support children and young people with a disability to achieve their full potential.
“It is essential the principal lead the creation of a school community vision and ensure a commitment to high expectations for all students,” she said.
“A principal must put all the pieces of the puzzle together so higher levels of educational and life outcomes can be achieved.”