Darling Point Special School to be relocated to Iona College during construction of $15.8m project

More than 70 students from a Brisbane special school will be relocated to a nearby college as works start on a mega infrastructure project on the waterfront campus.

A special school on Brisbane’s bayside will be relocated to a nearby college as construction starts on a historic $15.86 million infrastructure project years in the making.

From next term Iona College will host temporary facilities for Darling Point Special School while works on the mega redevelopment on the waterfront school in Manly last for around 18 months.

The project, in partnership with the Queensland Government and Department of Education, includes a new learning centre featuring 15 classrooms, a manual arts room, one multipurpose room, a staff collaboration room as well as amenities and storage spaces.

Darling Point Special School.

The state government is providing portable classrooms, multipurpose rooms and amenities on site at Iona College with the temporary campus to also include a play area and car park.

“The Darling Point Special School community has been working positively with the Department of Education and government for a considerable while to achieve an agreed plan to further develop the facilities available on the campus at Manly,” Darling Point Special School principal, Charmaine Driver, said.

Darling Point Special School principal Charmaine Driver.

“We are thrilled about the recent announcement for demolition and construction to start before long on the school site.

“Once completed, the new buildings will provide much needed up-to-date learning areas for students, with classrooms and other learning areas designed to provide modern, adaptive spaces that meet the specific needs, interests, strengths and learning requirements of the students who attend the special school.

Iona College, where the Darling Point Special School temporary facilities will be based. Picture: Facebook/Iona Brisbane

“The learning areas have been designed to accommodate students’ needs for space, sensory adjustments, different group sizes, and differentiated ways of working that best facilitate student success and wellbeing.”

Ms Driver also said the assistance from Iona College to provide a base for the school was a continuation of a longstanding partnership between the schools.

Artist impression of the infrastructure project at Darling Point Special School.

“The insight and generosity evidenced by the college rector Fr Michael Twigg, the college principal Trevor Goodwin, and the college board, has been humbling and a true indication of the college mission and vision, partnering with their local special school,” she said.

Artist impression of the infrastructure project at Darling Point Special School.

“That those special school students who number about 70, who need to continue their learning and school life journey off campus for the period of demolition and construction on the campus at Manly are able to learn together … in the one dedicated facility would not have been possible without the open-minded and open-hearted support from Iona College.”

Iona Colle rector, Fr Michael Twigg, said students from both schools would have the opportunity to interact and engage, which he believed would benefit them both.

“DPSS care for some of the most treasured students within our local community and it is our belief that we could be a good neighbour for them in their need,” he said.

“This is a very strong example of government and Catholic schools working well together and we genuinely wish to model good neighbourly behaviour.

“We do believe that Iona and DPSS along with all schools in the region add value to our great community.”

Labor Councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming said the partnership between both schools was an example of the spirit in the bayside community.

After the redevelopment at Darling Point Special School is finished, the temporary buildings will be removed and the Iona College site will be regenerated.