Students at Narbethong State School are making a splash, using the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution stimulus project to build hydrotherapy, indoor swimming pool, endeavouring to improve mobility and strength for students with disabilities.
School principal Catherine Byrnes said $850,000 was received through the Primary Schools for the 21 century (P21) BER component and a further $200,000 was donated from a member of the community for the new swimming pool, which was officially opened on November 2.
This new facility will ensure students learn vital mobility skills, as well as improving their confidence.
Principal Byrnes said the emotional opening, gave thanks to a member of the community, who had donated a sum of money towards the indoor swimming pool.
Ms Byrnes said a former student of the school's grandmother had saved up for many years, wishing to make the school's dream of a swimming pool a reality.
"Around seven years ago, this woman acquired the family trust for a hydrotherapy pool," she said.
"Unfortunately she passed away and 12 weeks later so did her daughter.
"Emily, Palmer, 11 the granddaughter of this woman then died two weeks before construction started on the pool.
"It was a very moving opening, as without this family's kind donation and the BER funding, the pool would not be here."
Ms Byrnes said in the school's entire history, it had never had an on site swimming pool for students.
"We have been trying for years to raise money for a swimming pool, so when the BER funding arose the P&C immediately thought about getting a pool," she said.
"The school was happy to put together the donated money with the BER money.
"We now have a heated, indoor swimming pool with a tracking roof from the change table for wheel chair assessability and ramp access."
Principal Byrnes said previously students had to trek to Mt Gravatt to use a swimming pool.
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