After 37 successful years in Ludmilla, the new Nemarluk School in Alawa will open its doors to students returning for Term 2, on Monday 16 April 2012.
The new state of the art education facility will help Territory students with special needs learn and develop in a specially designed, stimulating, safe and spacious environment.
The Nemarluk School motto is “Education for Life” and strongly supports partnerships with families and carers. The school delivers preschool and primary school programs and is focused on fostering independent learners who have a positive outlook and are engaged members of their community through specialised and individual educational programs.
The new school includes 14 classrooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a multipurpose assembly and gymnasium, after-school care building and administration facilities. Another positive feature is the opportunity for community groups to access the facilities after hours.
Changed traffic conditions
To ensure the ongoing safety of students and local residents, the below changed traffic conditions have been put in place.
These changes are in line with AUSTROADS - Guide To Traffic Management and Australian Standards and will ensure improved safety, better access and traffic flow for students and local residents.
Styles Street Bus Zone
A new bus zone is located at the main entrance to Nemarluk School. This bus zone will be in use between 7.55am - 8.25am and 2.20pm - 2.45pm, school days.
Pett Street Children’s Crossing
For safety reasons, the original children’s crossing located on the bend of Pett Street has been removed.
The site of the new children’s crossing was chosen to ensure that it is positioned away from the Henry Ellis intersection and the bend in the road on Pett Street. The ‘No Standing’ areas associated with the new crossings comply with Australian Standards and apply 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.
These road changes are being made to Australian Standards and to keep the students and residents as safe as possible. If you have any concerns or questions, or would like to provide feedback, please contact:
Kevin McShanag
Strategic Manager - Planning and Infrastructure Services
Department of Education and Training
t: (08) 8901 4968
e: kevin.mcshanag@nt.gov.au
News
13 April 2012
Works are in progress to replace the current air-conditioning unit for the multipurpose hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is DET building a school at Alawa for special education students?
The Nemarluk School was no longer able to cater effectively for both the growth in its student population and contemporary special education needs. Enrolments are currently at 110 and the school was originally built for 40 children. In line with expectations outlined in the Australian Government’s Disability Discrimination Act and accompanying Disability Standards for Education, DET operates an inclusion model, with students provided for in a wide range of settings, from which parents may choose including special schools.
Following the announcement to upgrade Nemarluk School, consultants were commissioned to undertake a thorough analysis of the work needed to upgrade the school buildings, their physical infrastructure surrounds and to add additional new buildings.
Existing site constraints and hazards were investigated in detail. Issues that arose included significant cost to raise the ground levels of the site, the condition of some of the older buildings that no longer met disability standards and major problems with traffic and access into, and around the site. The site was very restricted with more than 50 staff in addition to the 110 children.
A number of options were explored and the preferred option was to relocate to Alawa Primary School.
2. How much will this cost?
Covering design, construction, fit out and costs associated with moving the school, about $11.9 million. A contract has been let for $11.3 million.
3. Where did you find the money for this project given the tight budget?
We have made this money available as the need is urgent. As part of our $30 million upgrade program we already had $4.5 million allocated to Nemaluk School. We have reprioritised other funding given the significant cost of upgrading a very old facility that requires a great deal of land work, all have agreed that a new custom designed new school is the answer.
4. Nemarluk have been calling for a new school for a long time, why have you taken so long to make this decision.
We had already allocated significant funds to upgrade the Nemarluk School. However as work was scoped further it became apparent that much of that money would need to be invested in costs associated with servicing land rather than facilities and the site was in a storm surge zone. There was also the cost of temporary classrooms for the whole school while the land problems were being addressed. After discussions with the Nemarluk and Alawa School councils, it was decided that a new custom designed school was the best option.
5. What will happen to the Alawa Preschool currently on the site?
A new preschool has been built within the Alawa Primary School.
6. What will happen to public access to the school oval?
Residents and sporting groups will continue to have access to an improved school oval which will be irrigated as part of the development.
7. What consultation has there already been with the community on this move?
Consultations have taken place with the Nemarluk School staff and their council, followed by public meetings with the Alawa community on 22 February, 8 March and 16 March 2011. Further consultation occurred through a Planning Advisory Group which included community representatives. A number of recommendations from the group have been adopted.
8. How many students and what years does Nemarluk cater to?
110 students are currently enrolled T – Year 6. Nemarluk School also has a number of satellite classes for part of the week for example at Wulagi Primary School and Stuart Park School.
Contact
For more information on Nemarluk School please complete the form below.
