The Hunter Aspect School at Thornton has been given a much-needed boost thanks to Beyond Bank and Cessnock-based support group Strive for Autism.
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At a charity golf day, held at Crowne Plaza in August, Beyond Bank welcomed more than 100 philanthropic golfers who managed to raise more than $10,000 for Strive For Autism.
President and founder of Strive For Autism, Maxine Baird, recently presented the cheque, along with Sarah Mayhew and Alex Malam from Beyond Bank, to Aspect School principal Lara Cheney.
Ms Baird said that she was thrilled with the generous donation and that it would go a long way.
“Our support group aims to give back funds to our local schools for resources, projects and awards each year,” Ms Baird said.
“We were very privileged that Beyond Bank chose Strive as their chosen charity this year which gave us the opportunity to help Aspect’s project, opening the first high school in the hunter which is so needed.”
Aspect High School is the Hunter’s first school tailored for children with autism and is planning to open its doors early in 2019 thanks, in part to the generous donation and efforts of prominent developer Hilton Grugeon.
Mr Grugeon donated land, labour and building materials to establish the primary school back in 2011.
The Hunter Aspect School caters for more than 140 students from across the Hunter, Central Coast and Far North Coast regions of NSW.
The school also conducts a range of satellite classes located in Cardiff, Belmont, Waratah West, Tarro, Abermain and Port Macquarie.
“It means students who are not engaged at their fullest potential will have an opportunity to have a really tailored program where they can learn at their best,” principal Lara Cheney told Fairfax Media in October.
It is expected that the new high school will open in term one next year with two classrooms and 12 students.
There are plans to open an additional four classrooms by 2020.
The development comes with a large price tag and has only been made possible through the generosity of local people, businesses and community groups.
The school continues to look for donations of funding, equipment, materials and if you are able to help contact the Hunter Aspect School on 4922 5900.
