Application lodged to build school for autistic students ROOM TO LEARN

A NEW special school dedicated to educating children with autism has been pitched for Townsville.

Calvary Christian College has lodged a development application to build a new administration building with six “pod” classrooms.

The development application states there are few autism-specialist schools in Queensland, with none in Townsville.

Townsville mum Natasha Stanta homeschools sons Jakey, 12, and Josh, 10, who have autism.

She opted to do so to allow them to learn at their own levels after finding they excelled in certain subjects but were below their age group in others.

“Focusing on their level to further develop their skill is more important than putting them in a grade and letting them sink or swim,” she said.

Ms Stanta said having a specialist autism school in Townsville could help children who have been bullied.

“The lack of choice for families with children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is an indication that there is a need for more specialist schools that cater for the needs of ASD pupils and provide a learning environment that ASD will benefit from, in terms of academic, social and communications skills,” the development application states.

Calvary Christian College currently offers prep through to Year 12 at its Mount Louisabased school, with more than 900 students.

Jakey and Josh’s mother Natasha Stanta hopes the proposed school at Mount Louisa goes ahead.

The proposed school will be called Eaton College, which will be separate and independent of Calvary Christian College.

“Eaton College will exist to offer autism-friendly education to children on the autism spectrum across Years 1-10 who are unable to success

fully access education in a mainstream setting,” the development application states.

“The vision for Eaton College: to develop specialised facilities designed to meet the unique needs and learning environments for pupils on the autism spectrum.”

The proposed classrooms

would allow teachers to break the classes of 10 students into two smaller groups, while a shaded playground would provide an “exploratory space” for the pupils.

It is planned the school would at first cater for Years 1 and 2 students, with a view to cater through to Year 10.

The proposed building would be broken up into three stages, with the first two classrooms and administration building opening in 2022.

It is planned construction of the school would finish in 2026 and cater for up to 120 students, with 29 teachers and six administration staff.

Picture: MATT TAYLOR

“Teacher to pupil ratios are also lower than mainstream school, as classes need to be smaller to better suit the pupils needs and afford a better and manageable learning environment,” the application says.

The proposal is expected to be open for public comment in coming months.