Tara Murray
An upgrade at Furlong Park School for Deaf Children is a step closer with an architect appointed for the project.
The school was allocated $9.43 million for the upgrade in last year’s state budget, and late last month announced the appointment of architect’s 3iD Studios.
The upgrade will improve facilities and buildings at the school, as part of its master plan.
Principal Lee Bullock said she burst into tears when she first found out about the upgrades.
“It’s really exciting and a great opportunity for us. It’s a 30-year-old building and some of the classrooms are quite small,” Ms Bullock said.
She said the upgrade would create a “unique” main building, built to cater for the students’ specific needs and new furniture.
“We will look to have the classrooms expanded and there will be new learning spaces.”
She said the old building was built for deaf children and had specific attributes, including a sound system which connects student listening devices through bluetooth, which needed to be maintained.
Ms Bullock said the school community would have a say in the design of the upgrade.
The school has about 65 students and 25 teachers – half of whom are also deaf.
St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman welcomed the appointment of an architect.
“We’re making sure that our schools have the best facilities, our classrooms have the best teachers and that every child is given every chance to succeed,” she said.
“Local families are a step closer to getting the great school facilities their kids need to thrive.”
