NEW SENSORY PLAY AREA AT CROXTON SCHOOL OPEN TO STUDENTS

Students at Croxton Special School now have another play space to enjoy with the completion of a new outdoor sensory play area at the school in Northcote.

Kat Theophanous, Member for Northcote, welcomed the milestone, made possible with a $198,000 grant from the Andrews Labor Government’s Inclusive Schools Fund.

The fund is helping schools across the state to build inclusive play areas, sensory gardens and outdoor learning areas to support students with disabilities and additional needs.

“Croxton School has been undergoing a huge transformation in recent years and I’m so pleased to celebrate this next milestone – albeit from afar – with Principal Bev Fegan and the school community,” said Ms Theophanous.

The new play area was designed by Bryant Alsop Architects and has been delivered by Johns Lyng Builders. It includes a new sensory play wall, musical features and inclusive seating.

The new play space comes amidst other exciting changes completed and underway at the school.

In 2019, Croxton Special School opened new therapy, learning and play spaces as part of a $5 million capital works upgrade. The second stage of the school’s masterplan is also underway, with Peter Elliot Architects appointed to design an additional $8 million modernisation.

Recently, Ms Theophanous joined Croxton to celebrate the opening of the Judy Dwyer Food Forest, made possible with a $10,000 grant from the State Government. Created in remembrance of much-loved staff member Judy Dwyer, the permaculture food forest is giving students an opportunity to learn about nutrition, food preparation and permaculture.

“Strengthening inclusive education for all students is fundamental to an equitable and excellent school system. It’s been my honour to work alongside Croxton to deliver these important upgrades that will mean even greater support for local students with disabilities,” Ms Theophanous said.

Locally, the Inclusive Schools Fund has delivered over $764,000 in grants to schools across the electorate, with a sensory play area also completed at Thornbury High School and two more underway at Thornbury and Westgarth Primary Schools.

“We know sensory play is vital to promoting inclusion and improving learning outcomes for students. These wonderful projects are creating new opportunities for contemplative and imaginative learning for students,” Ms Theophanous said.

The Labor Government is building the Education State to ensure every student can access a great local school and get a great education. More than $10.9 billion delivered over the past seven years to build new schools and undertake school upgrades.

Over the last two years, Kat Theophanous has secured over $78 million in funding for maintenance, upgrades and modernisation projects, working closely with our school communities to deliver better facilities for local kids.