ECHUCA Specialist School is preparing to move into Twin Rivers Primary School after waiting for three decades to get a new facility.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Principal Paul Marshall said the school officially signed paperwork to be co-located at the state-of-the-art facility on Wilkinson Dve, Echuca 10 years ago, but talks of a new school started 20 years before that.
It wasn't until March, 2018 that Twin Rivers opened — the same year Mr Marshall's school was snubbed for funding in the Victorian state budget.
But a community campaign eventually led the government to backflip on its decision and announce almost $17 million in funding so ESS could finally make the move.
“I've spent a lot of my career as principal fighting for my school and trying to get us into a new space,” Mr Marshall said.
“We've been knocked back so many times and I've seen what rock bottom looks like, but it's great to see how far we've come and to see what's next for us.”
Mr Marshall said staff and students had planned to make the move at the end of term four but his team had since made the decision to move as soon as possible.
“We made the decision to move as soon as the build is done, which we're hoping will be sometime in early August,” he said.
Works are under way, with all the outer building work and gymnasium completed.
“All that's really left to do is fit out the inside and work on the playground and play areas, so I'd say we're about 90 per cent done,” he said.
And although there will be a lot of new gadgets and equipment at the new school, the specialist school isn't leaving everything behind.
“We have a lot of specialist equipment like medical beds and hoists, plus some of our outdoor play equipment we're hoping to take with us,” Mr Marshall said.
But they can't do it alone.
Harvey Norman has offered the use of a driver and truck to help with the move and the Apex Club has offered a helping hand, but the school is still looking for volunteers.
“If someone has a bit of time on a Saturday morning and wants to help out or has moving equipment we may be able to borrow, it would be greatly appreciated,” Mr Marshall said.
“Unfortunately we don't know exactly when it will be needed, but we will let everyone know as soon as we know.”
And don't think the equipment and buildings left behind will go to waste.
“Once we move out, the buildings and tables and everything will be used by VIVID,” he said.
“It will be great to see the space used by another organisation who are as passionate about giving back to and helping the disabled community as we are.
“A lot of our students do eventually work with VIVID, so it works out well, and we would do anything to support them and our past students.”
The school couldn't be happier with the support it has received.
“I'm so thankful for the support from the community and the Riverine Herald, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for everyone giving us a helping hand,” Mr Marshall said.
“We all look forward to working with Brea Terris (Twin Rivers Primary School principal) and her staff, but also having the students connect and realise they can be part of and belong to a larger community.”