Lyrebird College autism school could open in Coldstream
A mum is one step closer to opening up a school in Coldstream for children on the autism spectrum with plans afoot to lease land next to an existing primary school.
Outer East
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A mum is one step closer to opening up a school for children on the autism spectrum with plans afoot to lease land in Coldstream.
For three years Melissa Handbury has been working on opening Lyrebird College to provide tailored teaching and therapy-based learning for children with autism at primary and secondary school level.
The seed grew after planning for the future of her 10-year-old son Logan.
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Last year Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader reported Ms Handbury was trying to find a site near Lilydale to cater for students from the outer east, with hopes of opening in January 2019.
However finding a site proved more difficult until Ms Handbury recently discovered and applied to lease a vacant block, owed by Yarra Ranges Council, next to Coldstream Primary School.
If approved by the council Ms Handbury and her board of directors would start the build to be finished and open to students by January 2020.
“It’s in the Coldstream education precinct between the kindergarten and the community centre,” she said.
“We’re taking students that require the most support.”
“We want to create an outcome-focused education in a fun and safe environment.”
She said funding to start the school had been committed by a philanthropic foundation and the board planned to apply for Federal and State Government money.
Ms Handbury plans to lodge an application with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
She said if the lease was approved, expressions of interest for students would start in April.
Yarra Ranges environment and engineering director Mark Varmalis said the council had been approached by Lyrebird College about leasing the 4000sq m Kelso St site.
Mr Varmalis said the decision on starting the public consultation process on potentially offering the college a lease would be considered at the December 18 public meeting.
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