An extended Multi Sensory Area at the Sannat Primary School in Gozo has just been completed to cater for children with special needs. The project, which cost circa €30,000, has been financed by the HSBC Cares for Children Fund.
The first part of the Multi Sensory Area at the Sannat Special Unit was implemented four years ago, with Light and Sound Sensory Rooms, equipped with OptiMusic, Projector and Ultra Violet Light. The second part of the project which has just completed is the Relaxation Room which includes a Bubble Tube, Fibre Optic Curtain, Fibre Optic Spray, Projector, Mirror Ball and Water Bed.
All students attending the Sannat Special Unit have regular sessions in the Multi Sensory Area to receive diversified learning according to their individual needs and abilities.
Other students who benefit from the Multi Sensory Area include those in mainstream classes at the Sannat Primary; Year 2 students attending both government and Church schools in Gozo, who are provided with inclusion programmes to learn integration skills with children having special needs; and other students who attend individual sessions.
“The benefits of multi sensory activity for children with special needs are that they get to learn through unconventional methods that stimulate their senses to trigger their creativity in a calm and relaxing environment,” said Saviour Portelli, Headmaster of Sannat Primary School. “We are grateful that the HSBC Cares for Children Fund has understood the relevance of the concept and helped us deliver it to our children.”
“It is indeed the aim of the HSBC Cares for Children Fund to help children in need reach their full potential in life,” said Sally Robson, Chief Operating Officer of HSBC. “This is our Bank’s way of enabling society to function for the benefit of each of its members.”
On behalf of the Minister for Gozo, Claire Xuereb, Private Secretary, commented upon the fact that Gozo is once more benefiting through the generous initiative of HSBC through the worthy contributions of HSBC Cares for Children Fund. The high standard Multi Sensory Area which is now available at the Sannat Special Unit complements the investment by Government in this school which witnesses Government’s educational policy “For all Children to Succeed”. This policy intends to discover and focus on the abilities of each and every child by providing appropriate learning tools and facilities at all levels. Projects such as the one which has just been inaugurated integrate with this policy and support Government’s endeavours in this regard. Moreover children coming from all schools in Gozo will be able to use this area thus benefiting through this project together with those attending the Sannat Special Unit.