The sod was turned at St. Philip’s Christian College Cessnock last Thursday to signify the start of work of the first-ever purpose-built classroom for DALE students.
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DALE stands for dynamic alternative learning environment and provides individual learning plans in a flexible environment for year 5 to 10 students with a range of emotional disorders, behavioural disorders and intellectual disabilities.
Examples of students involved in the program include those with ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, depression or oppositional defiant disorder.
The program started out at St. Philip’s Christian College Waratah and was introduced to Cessnock and Gosford in 2012.
The Cessnock program has grown to include 22 students from year 7 to 9, and is currently based out of demountable classrooms in the school.
DALE executive officer Kevin Berger said the new facility will allow for an expansion of enrolments, with numbers expecting to rise to 32 when the building is ready next year, and could eventually accommodate up to 55 students.
The modular building will contain four classrooms as well as “withdrawal rooms” where children can have time out or engage in small tutorials.
There will also be a staff room, storage room and office space included.
Outgoing DALE principal Stephen Fyson said that the students involved in the program are fantastic and that the building of the new space brings very exciting times.
“Our students here are terrific, we love them,” he said.
“They bring a lot of light and energy to our days.”
“This is an exciting chapter in the history of DALE.”
St. Philip’s Cessnock principal Darren Cox said the school loves to meet the educational needs of young people, which is exemplified by the DALE program.
“It is great that we can work together,” he said.
The school is also preparing for works to begin for an early learning centre and a sports centre to be implemented over the next few years.
“Today is the first step in that bigger and better,” Mr. Cox said.
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said the facility serves a need in the community.
“What a great effort the organisation is doing in providing for our young people,” he said.
