Henbury School gets the keys to its new home

Hon Peter Chandler
Minister for Education

The Country Liberals Government’s commitment to providing improved education delivery has been evidenced in the northern suburbs today with the completion of the new $31.5 million Henbury School.

Minister for Education Peter Chandler said “Henbury School highlights the Government’s investment in special needs education across the Territory.”

“Built on the grounds of Dripstone Middle School, the state of the art, purpose-built special education school will help to meet significant projected enrolment growth for students with high support special needs in Darwin over the next 10 years,” Mr Chandler said.

All students and staff will commence teaching and learning at the new school next week.

“The new school caters for 120 middle and senior years students who meet the criteria as high support special needs students,” Mr Chandler said.

“The school will deliver all stages of special education services including work transition facilities and special facilities to engage students in pathways training programs for screen-printing, sewing, woodwork, horticulture and hospitality, in order to better prepare them for life after school.”

Features of the new school include:

• A large hydrotherapy pool;
• A 100 kilowatt solar array system;
• Extensive outdoor learning space with water features for students to cool off during the wet season; and
• A new air-conditioned hall that provides electronic roll-out seating with ample space for activities, sports and performing arts, allowing the local school community to use the facilities for extra-curricular activities outside of school hours.

Principal of Henbury School Carolyn Edwards said “It is fantastic to have a new purpose built special school. The increased classroom capacity and outside activity areas are something that we are very excited about for our students and their families.”

“We are also really fortunate to now have vocational education and training facilities,” Ms Edwards said.

In April 2015, local Territory contractor Halikos Pty Ltd was awarded the tender to design and construct the new facility and created 420 local jobs during the construction of the project.

“The Country Liberals Government is committed to ensuring all young Territorians have access to high quality education facilities, enabling students to have the best opportunities to prepare for life after school,” Mr Chandler said.

“I am passionate about giving children with a disability or learning difficulty the right facilities to better support their social and educational needs.

“I am confident the new Henbury School will do just that, ensuring all students across the Territory have access to excellent facilities to continue their education journey and reach their full potential.”

Source: Northern Territory Government

View All »