Students, staff and families are eagerly anticipating the opening of a $7 million support unit at Moruya High School, with work due to begin early in Term 4.

Students and staff are looking forward to moving into seven new permanent classrooms, including activities areas, breakout spaces, an outdoor play area, a covered outdoor learning area, accessible toilets and change rooms, laundry, kitchen and staff room.

Families will drive to the unit via a new access road, leading to an undercover drop-off area and new car parking.

The long-awaited facility is expected to open in 2026 and will replace five demountable classrooms.

Bega MP Dr Michael Holland turned the first sod at the building site.

For principal Mark English, it’s about ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their potential.

“We can offer our most vulnerable students the opportunity to achieve in the best possible environment and it gives teachers new opportunities to support our kids to be successful,” Mr English said.

Deputy principal and support unit staff member Glen Grimmond said parents had advocated for the project.

“There has been strong interest from our parents, who have wanted this for a long time,” Mr Grimmond said.

“To have world-class, modern facilities for our staff and students will really bolster the reputation of our school. They hope to move in as soon as possible.”

President Jen Wilden became aware, soon after joining the P&C, of how keen parents were for a fit-for-purpose facility.

“Parents for a long time had been raising the importance of developing this support unit,” Ms Wilden said.

“We are very excited and keen to have it go smoothly and quickly, and to move in and take advantage of this great space.”

Director Educational Leadership Linda Langton said it was crucial to meet the needs of all students and bespoke learning areas with experienced teachers offered them a strong chance to contribute.

“They have so many skills and talents and having the opportunity to authentically add value to their school and community is so important,” Ms Langton said.

“We are getting more children with identified special learning needs and they will have fit-for-purpose learning areas.

“Students with a variety of diagnoses learn differently and need an environment that considers, for example, sensory needs.”

Ms Langton said the new unit would be a vital part of the broader Moruya High School community.

“It is a wonderful way to build awareness that everybody is not the same, but everybody has the right to contribute and to benefit through different initiatives and strategies.”

Dr Holland said the community should be proud of the development and the school.

“It is about giving the students with the greatest need the opportunity to fulfill their potential, to have that resilience through the rest of their life, to set the foundation for their future in society,” Dr Holland said.