Mount Gravatt West new home for Xavier Special Education Unit

Students at the Xavier Special Education Unit at Coorparoo will relocate to new $5 million facilities at Mount Gravatt West Special School for the 2010 school year.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the Xavier Special Education Unit was highly valued by the Bligh Government for its education program based on conductive principles.

“Moving this unit is regrettable, but necessary, as there was no option to extend the lease on Xavier’s current Coorparoo site beyond 31 December 2009,” Mr Welford said.

“Our Government remains committed to Xavier and to its conductive education principles for students with multiple impairments.

“There will be a new $5 million facility built at Mount Gravatt West to allow the good work, including conductive education, carried out at Xavier Special Education Unit to continue in a new location from 2010.”

Mr Welford said while the Xavier unit was currently an offsite program of Whites Hill State College, it could not be relocated to Whites Hill for logistical reasons.

“This decision was not taken lightly and has been given detailed consideration, relating to ease of access, breadth of facilities and the best educational interests of the students,” he said.

“There will be significant benefits for Mount Gravatt West Special School as it will extend the programs available at the school for students with multiple impairments, giving parents greater choice.

“The move to Mount Gravatt West makes use of existing facilities as well as providing additional purpose-built facilities for those students relocating to the special school.”

Mr Welford said the various school communities had been consulted on the move and would be heavily involved in every stage of the transition to the new facilities at Mount Gravatt West Special School.

“A transition strategy will be developed with the school community to cover the design and construction phases of the new facilities, professional development for staff, team building and curriculum development,” Mr Welford said.

“We will plan this transition carefully to minimise the disruption to families as much as possible and the unit will retain its name of the Xavier Special Education Unit at Mount Gravatt West.

“We have also acknowledged the special relationship between students from the Xavier unit and Whites Hill State College and they will continue to attend the college for integration as part of the curriculum.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000