130 | New facilities to mark 50th The smart new additions will include a heated hydrotherapy pool, a multi-purpose room, a wheelchair-accessible and adventure outdoor learning area. Wairau Valley Special School T T Kim Newth “It’s all about utilising our space so as to be able to maximise our students’ potential. This is super exciting not only for our students and staff, but also for the parents and our wider community.” In its golden jubilee year, Wairau Valley Special School (WVSS) is counting down to the opening of new specialist facilities in February 2026. Designed to enhance and enrich the lives of the school’s students, the smart new additions will include a heated hydrotherapy pool (15x12m), a multi-purpose room, a wheelchair-accessible and adventure outdoor learning area. “This has been in our plan for a number of years, so we’re thrilled that construction is now underway,” says Tumuaki/Principal Natalie Todd. “It’s all about utilising our space so as to be able to maximise our students’ potential. This is super exciting not only for our students and staff, but also for the parents and our wider community.” Roll growth has accelerated the need for this project. In 2010, the school had 100 students. Today, the roll has reached nearly 300 with a waiting list. Around a third of the students attend classes at the base school, with the rest in satellite classes at mainstream schools across the North Shore. The new facilities will be used by students at the base school as well as those coming in from satellite classes. WVSS is dedicated to meeting the unique learning needs of students from 5-21 years of age in Auckland’s North Shore and Hibiscus Coast area, with all their students funded under the Ministry of Education’s Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) for Special Education. The school’s staff includes occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language therapists. As the biggest base school site of all specialist schools in New Zealand, WVSS has had no difficulty finding space to fit this new development alongside existing school buildings. Ideas for the new outdoor learning areas came from looking at Christchurch’s Margaret Mahy Playground and a new accessible playground in Hamilton. “Our vision has been to keep it as natural as possible with the new learning areas sited amongst trees and grass. “An inclusive wheelchair-accessible path through the adventure area will ensure noone is left behind, with that path also doubling up as a bike path. “From the new carpark to the multi-purpose room and hydrotherapy pool, everything will be wheelchair accessible. Our physiotherapists are particularly excited about what they’re going to be able to offer students who are wheelchair users or who have mobility challenges.” Natalie says Nala Studio Architects (Noor Keary and Deni Star)) brought everything together beautifully in the design, with KBD Construction’s safety-conscious team progressing well on site. “Our project managers Steve Waters and Wayne Walker, of Yellowstone Management, have also been phenomenal.” WVSS has a safe, enclosed campus. These new facilities will open up additional opportunities for students to move, play, learn and have fun. Natalie says the outdoor learning spaces are designed for all age levels and abilities and the new hydrotherapy pool will be a gamechanger for many. “It has ramp and hoist facilities, new changing rooms, and a smart accessible bathroom with a changing bed for wheelchair users. This facility will be second to none in New Zealand.” This exciting project has been largely funded by the school’s board. North Shore Rotary (formerly the Rotary Club of Milford) also generously donated to the new pool, with the Ministry of Education funding the changing room and toilet facilities. COMMUNITY Yellowstone Management Project Management | Property Management | Managing 5YA’s & 10YPP’s | Maintenance Programmes Cyclical Maintenance Plans | Asset Management Planning | Health & Safety Checks | Problem diagnosis, solutions and facility assessment | Structure and advice | Assisting with B.W.O.F, | compliance issues, fire, security, floods, and water leaks Your Property, Our Priority. yellowstonemanagement.net Proudly Supporting Wairau Valley Special School Steve 021 678 693 | Wayne 027 258 7074 Graeme 027 444 0879 Health & Safety yellowstoneholdings@gmail.com
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