Village Life
A good belly laugh is part and parcel of class time at Lucas Gardens School.
Goodwill in the gardens
By Ashlee Betteridge
Many locals probably see Lucas
Gardens School in Canada Bay as
they crawl down Queens Road in
peak hour traffic.
But most probably don’t realise
the special work that goes on be-
hind the unassuming facade at this
small but important school, which
celebrates its 20th anniversary at
the end of August.
Lucas Gardens caters for students
with severe intellectual, physical
and sensory disabilities.
While the Department of
Education and Training runs many
special schools, most don’t cater
specifically for children with multi-
ple disabilities.
“That’s been a real focus for this
school. All the children have severe
intellectual and physical disabilities,
and many also have sensory impair-
ment” Principal Ann Roberts said.
“They all have very high needs,
and many also have medical needs,”
she said.
The school has places for 36 stu-
dents, who range in age from four to
18 years. Around half are from the
Canada Bay municipality, with the
rest largely coming from surround-
ing inner west suburbs.
Students follow a modified Board
14 VILLAGE VOICE DRUMMOYNE July
of Studies curriculum. Improving
mobility and communication is a
primary focus and facilities such as
a hydrotherapy spa and a sensory
garden aid students’ learning and
development.
The exchange of knowledge at
Lucas Gardens is a two way process,
as the school regularly hosts terti-
ary teaching and nursing students,
including psychology interns from
Boston.
“It’s great because the students
learn about working with children
with severe disabilities, and we also
get extra hands to help in the class-
room,” Ms Roberts said.
Senior students at Lucas Gardens
take part in a community access
program where they visit Burwood
Westfield and take recycled paper
they have shredded to the pet store
for use as animal bedding.
Students also recently raised
money on Dolphin Day for the
Stewart House Charity.
Once again, community goodwill
comes into play because one volun-
teer is needed to push each wheel-
chair for the students to go on an
excursion.
Volunteers also come into the
school to read to students and help
out in class.