By Casey Neill
A multi-sensory room is easing anxiety and lifting learning at Wallarano Primary.
The Noble Park school officially opened the space on Friday 18 August with representatives from Club Noble and Dingley Village Bendigo Bank.
Both donated $10,000 towards the $70,000 room late last year.
“We’re very thankful for the support,” principal Gail Doney said.
“The school put a lot of money towards it as well.
“Children who have gone in there who have been feeling stressed and anxious have returned to the classroom much more settled and got on with their work.”
Ms Doney said the room was the idea of assistant principal and integration leader Carolyn Frank.
It features lighting and textures designed to calm and focus children.
“In this day and age where depression and anxiety is such a big thing and leading to terrible stats for young people, it’s really important that they learn to deal with difficult times and face challenges,” Ms Doney said.
“It’s about knowing when you need to calm down and how to do it.
“I think it’s a really important life skill.”
Ms Doney said the school had about 43 students with disabilities.
“The whole school has a passion for making sure children with disabilities are included in schools,” she said.
She said one child with special needs would have a meltdown when they got home from school.
Spending the last 10 minutes of each school day in the room has eliminated the outbursts.
“It’s not used for huge lengths of time,” she said.
“It’s meant to calm children who are feeling anxious.”
Some of the school’s therapists hold sessions in there, too.
“It’s getting quite a lot of use,” Ms Doney said.
