Work set to begin for $31.5 million new Henbury School

Adam Giles
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

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The Territory Government is investing $31.5 million in special education in Darwin’s Northern Suburbs with work set to begin this Monday for the new Henbury School.

“Henbury School is an impressive institution that has always delivered high-quality education and care to some of the Territory’s most vulnerable children,” Chief Minister Adam Giles said.

“Enrolments have doubled since the existing school was originally built and they have, quite simply, outgrown their current accommodation. Upgrades and expansions over the years have helped but the time has come for a new school on a new site that will better meet student needs.”

The new school will be built on the grounds of Dripstone Middle School in Casuarina and will be designed to handle the significant enrolment growth predicted over the next 10 years.

“The state of the art, purpose-built special education school will cater for students with a range of special needs.

“A gradual transition to the new school facilities is scheduled to begin from July 2016, with full operations expected to begin the following January,” Mr Giles said.

The school is proposed to have 120 places on-site for middle and senior years’ students who meet the criteria for enrolment in special school settings and will deliver all stages of special education services, including work transition facilities.

“One of the key focus areas of the new school will be preparing students for life after school, through training and co-ordination with post-school options,” Mr Giles said.

The tender for the design, development and construction of the new Henbury School has been awarded to local contractor Halikos Pty Ltd.

“The awarding of this tender is a milestone in the Northern Territory Government’s investment in special needs education across the Territory and will create local jobs, with over 420 people expected to work on the project,” Mr Giles said.

While the project is underway, the Dripstone Middle School will continue to function as normal with construction fencing in place to ensure the safety of students.

“Information sessions were held at Henbury School and Dripstone Middle School at the end of last year for the public and school staff to learn more about the project, to ask any questions and provide feedback regarding the proposal,” Mr Giles said.

“I am happy to say that the project has been received positively.

“Every effort will be made to minimise disruptions for residents, students, parents and teachers during the construction.

“This Country Liberal Government is committed to investing in special needs education across the Territory and I am looking forward to seeing the new Henbury School take shape between now and 2016.”

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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