Harden Murrumburrah Public School has received a boost with the installation of ramps and railings to support people with physical disabilities. The extensive project has unfolded in stages over the past four years. Principal Mrs Clare Crawford said the school was celebrating the near completion of the works.
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"Over the last 20 years we've been really good at including children not just socially, but including them in the curriculum if they have a disability," she said.
"One of the challenges we have here at Harden Murrumburrah Public School, being an older school, is the physical access to the school so over the last three or four years we've been staging ramps and balustrades to give easy access to people with a disability to school."
Mrs Crawford said it was important to provide access to everyone.
"Everybody can come into the school and have access to the various buildings which is something we're really celebrating because we value inclusivity," she said.
"We've had good feedback from the community in terms of elderly people trying to access the school or parents who may have a physical disability. Some people have made comments like 'it's about time', but it's quite a big deal to get it all happening including the design and the physical work of getting it done.
"It's something for us to celebrate. It means all children can access the school physically the same way as every other child which is very important to us."
Steph Cooke MP said she was pleased to see the learning environment improved.
"The NSW Government has made a record investment in school infrastructure with $1.3 billion being spent on maintenance alone over the next five years," she said.
"At Murrumburrah Public School new ramps and rails along with the new roof are an investment in the community, making the school a better learning environment for current and future students.
"Works like this also improve access for everyone, making our schools a more inclusive place.
"This is a sign of the confidence in the future of schools like Murrumburrah PS."