Narellan’s $20 million Yandelora School welcomes first students

The first students at Narellan’s state-of-the-art Yandelora School settled into their classrooms last week as the finishing touches were put on the special purpose school.

Yandelora students Charlotte Day and Jake Cox (back) with Bethany Wood and Joseph Buksh (front) and principal Jacqueline Lockyer.

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The first students at Narellan’s state-of-the-art Yandelora School settled into their classrooms last week as the finishing touches were put on the special purpose school.

The $20 million school includes 16 classrooms, a hydrotherapy pool, play equipment, school hall and library.

Technology such as a hearing loop network and interactive whiteboards have been installed throughout the school.

The first of 50 students from across the Macarthur region started at the K-12 school last Thursday with the remainder beginning this week.

Principal Jacqueline Lockyer said more students would start later in the year.

Ms Lockyer said the school catered for students with a range of special needs.

“The big thing we do in schools like this is write personalised learning support programs … we teach individually,” she said.

The school already has 50 students.

“In every classroom we have a teacher and learning support officer and our classes are capped so that in our biggest classroom they have seven students.”

Ms Lockyer said parents were delighted by the new campus.

“They’re so happy.

“I had one parent tell me he was just really thrilled that the school was on level ground so his child wouldn’t trip, and the classrooms are very safe and engaging learning spaces,” she said.

Camden Mayor Peter Sidgreaves and Ms Lockyer.

Camden state Liberal MP Chris Patterson said Yandelora was among the best educational facilities in NSW.

“This school probably more than any other thing in the electorate is what I am most proud of,” Mr Patterson said.

“It’s a state-of-the-art, world’s best practice facility, but like anything it’s only as great as the principal and staff and I know that we have the right mix here.”

Two new students at the school.

Camden Mayor and state Liberal candidate Peter Sidgreaves said a school for children with special needs was needed in the community.

“I will be supporting this school 100 per cent, there’s a need in our community and this won’t fulfil all of that need but we’ll be working on all that we can to service those people in our community,” Cr Sidgreaves said.

Yandelora School is on the site of the former Hope Anglican School.