HORSHAM Special School will go into the summer holiday break celebrating after winning an award for its state-of-the-art building.
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Students moved into the $6 million High Street school in term three.
The modern, brightly-lit school won the Council of Educational Facility Planners International Victorian Award for Best New Educational Facility Construction – Entire Educational Facility.
It is now nominated for the Australasian Awards in South Australia next year.
Principal Matt Copping said he was thrilled with the accolade.
“We thought we might be in with a chance but all the schools that get nominated are amazing facilities,” he said.
“Many of them are metropolitan.”
Mr Copping said the school explained the building’s functionality and educational value to a panel of judges in Melbourne.
“We were able to specifically note how the sensory courtyard had acute and unexpected outcomes for our students with autism and some with anxiety disabilities,” she said.
He said the Department of Education and architect Kneeler Designs were also involved in the nomination.
Mr Copping said the school had benefited strongly since moving into the new building.
He said further curriculum areas could be addressed in the new setting.
“It’s chalk and cheese from where we were to where we are now,” he said.
“We’ll be able to put in place a sensory curriculum and play-based curriculum.
“It’s just been fantastic.”
Mr Copping said physiotherapy was another area the school could now focus on.
He thanked the department and the State Government for their support.
