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Background and Site Constraints

Darling Point Special School, located on Upper Esplanade in Manly, has seen rising enrolments. Operating on a site smaller than one hectare, the school faces physical limitations due to its location beside Moreton Bay and surrounding parkland. To manage enrolment growth, a temporary satellite campus has operated at Iona College since 2022.

Planning Underway Following Land Acquisition

To address these constraints, the Department of Education has purchased a 2.5-hectare site at 218 Manly Road, adjacent to Manly West State School. This land acquisition marks the beginning of early-stage planning, which will include technical site investigations, a concept master plan, and a detailed business case.

The planning aims to provide long-term relief for Darling Point Special School. These plans will be informed by input from nearby schools and the broader community.

Educational Need and Program Overview

Darling Point Special School delivers a broad range of programs for students from Prep to Year 12. The school is known for its co-teaching model, where curriculum specialists collaborate with special educators. Students access diverse subjects including literacy, numeracy, science, arts, music, hydrotherapy, and vocational education.

The school has a sensory room, therapy services using a transdisciplinary approach, and registered training programs delivering certificate outcomes. It also maintains an international partnership with Denmark and is supported by expert consultants in behaviour analysis.

Next Steps and Community Engagement

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The concept master plan is due by the end of 2025. Public consultation will follow to guide future planning approvals. Construction will depend on funding and formal approvals. Local families, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to take part in the early discussions. Questions can be emailed to BuildingFutureSchools@qed.qld.gov.au.

Published 31-May-2025

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Read: Darling Point Special School To Get a Major Makeover

At the start of Term 4 2022 (3 October 2022), more than 70 students from the special school will hold classes in portable classrooms, multipurpose rooms and amenities within the premises of Iona College. 

The temporary campus, to be provided by the Queensland Government, will be fenced and will include a play area, a car park, and a separate drop off and pick up area.

The buildings will be located near the Iona College multi-purpose basketball courts adjacent to the bus turnaround.

Iona College Manager Corporate Services, Mrs Susan Boban, confirmed that when construction is completed at the special school, the temporary buildings will be removed, and the College site will be regenerated.

The redevelopment, which has been supported by the Department of Education to keep up with the school’s rising enrolment, is estimated to be complete in 18 months.

Plans for Darling Point Special School 

The school has partnered with the Queensland Government and Department of Education for the $15.86 million for the major transformation of the school. The redevelopment is known as the biggest revamp in the school’s 35-year history.

The works will include a new 15-classroom learning centre, a manual arts room, a multipurpose room, a staff collaboration room, and amenities and storage spaces.

“In recognition of a strong and longstanding relationship that exists between the two schools, Iona College will support the much-needed upgrade by providing the green space required for the temporary relocation,” Iona College announced.

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“This relocation is necessary as the Darling Point Special School site is not large enough to accommodate temporary buildings.”

In respose, Darling Point Special School principal Charmaine Driver acknowledged the insight and generosity of Iona College rector Fr Michael Twigg, the college principal Trevor Goodwin, and the college board.

The post Iona College Prepares To Welcome Students From Darling Point Special School appeared first on Manly Today.

To enable the school to keep up with rising enrollment, Darling Point Special school is up for a much-needed revamp. The school has submitted a development application to conduct a major makeover.

Funded by the state government to the tune of $15.8 million, the project aims to upgrade outdated facilities and deliver a new learning facility.

The new building will house not just new classrooms but will also include outdoor learning areas, a collaborative space for the staff, amenities, an undercroft, multi-purpose areas, and storage rooms. A new play area is also included in the redevelopment plan.

Barring any delays, the redevelopment should be completed by 2022. 

Meanwhile, in May 2021, another state government-funded project for the special school was completed which delivered two new learning spaces. The first learning space was the former chillout room and bathroom while the second learning area used to be a vacant area.

In 2020-2021, with its Renewing Our Schools program, the State Government has invested a total of $1.9 billion, delivering refurbished and new learning spaces. Of the 1,254 state schools that received these funds for new learning spaces and support facilities, 45 were special schools.

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About Darling Point Special School

Founded in 1958 as the Darling Point Opportunity School, the school was demolished in 1985 to give way to the construction of a new school. It then re-opened in 1986 as Darling Point Special School.

Located at 368 Upper Esplanade, Manly, the school serves the suburbs of Manly, Cannon Hill, Chandler, Gumdale, Hemmant, Lindu, Lota, Murarrie, Ransome, Thorneside, Tingalpa, Wakerly, and Wynnum, as well as parts of Bulimba, Birkdales and Wellington.

The school provides special educational programs catering to students aged 5 to 18 who have intellectual disabilities, or significant delays in cognitive and physical development.

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