Autism school in Coldstream, Lyrebird College, to open in 2021 with construction starting
Children on the autism spectrum in the Yarra Valley won’t have to travel as far to go to school with Lyrebird College a step closer to opening. But spots are limited so find out when you can apply.
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Ground has been broken and construction is about to begin on Lyrebird College — the Yarra Valley’s own independent school for children on the autism spectrum.
Staff and students are next on founder Melissa Handbury’s list to make her four-year dream finally come to fruition.
The Leader first reported on Ms Handbury’s mission to provide tailored teaching and therapy-based learning for children with autism at primary and secondary school level in October 2017.
The idea grew after planning for the future of her 10-year-old son Logan.
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And while the application for a school still lies before the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority, Ms Handbury said a building was part of its requirement.
The next phase of the journey is to start looking for staff and take expressions of interest for students — which future Lyrebird College principal Julie Kugler will drive.
Ms Handbury said it was exciting to see construction start.
“The school should be completed by the end of November,” she said.
“We’re looking to start school classes at the end of January 2021.”
She said the plan was to have two classes of seven students — one each for lower and upper primary school-aged students.
By 2023 the plan is to add a third class, which would cater for the older students to progress into a high school year level, she said.
“We’re going to operate a cohort model and group students on complimentary needs to make sure the teaching is best suited to each student” she said.
Ms Kugler said it was really exciting and had been charged with the responsibility to create a great vision for the school.
“We want to create and education of excellence and see all students succeed in their individual goals and celebrate each student’s achievements,” she said.
“It will be a safe and happy place for all students.”
She said the goal was to engage students in solid and rigorous learning, which would be fun but also suit each student’s learning needs.
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