Friday, 4 May 2018
ARMIDALE Secondary College has been approved by Education Minister Rob Stokes as the official name for the new high school to be constructed in Armidale.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today welcomed the ‘naming’ and said it was an exciting milestone for the more than $65 million education project.
“We’ve been waiting on a decision on the name for some time and this will now allow a lot of other work to start on other aspects of the school, including a school emblem, uniform designs and the completion of the schematic building plans,” Mr Marshall said.
The decision by the Minister and the Department of Education followed consultation with the Armidale community, which saw hundreds of votes via online polling and contributions to an ideas board. The results were submitted to the Department to decide on a name.
Mr Marshall said the new school was shaping up to be the best of any west of the dividing range.
“The school will have the most modern a futuristic learning spaces, based in international standards, greatly improved sporting facilities, purpose-built performing arts centre, an expanded and upgrade Den and agricultural outdoor learning areas,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is all about proving students in our region the very best education that can be provided in the best learning environment.
“This is the most exciting education capital project seen in country NSW for decades and will set Armidale and our region apart.”
Armidale Secondary College will be a consolidation of Armidale High School and Duval High School and will be a future-focused school for around 1,500 students. The installation of a temporary additional school at Duval High School has started, in readiness for students during the transition period from Term 1, 2019.
Construction of Armidale Secondary College will start in 2019 and continue in 2020. The new school will be open day one of Term 1 in 2021.
In the coming months, more details will be released about the new teaching and learning methods and environment, better welfare support for students and the expanded curriculum to be offered at Armidale Secondary College.
The NSW Government is investing $4.2 billion over four years to build more than 120 new and upgraded schools. This is the biggest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.