Armidale City Public School will see their highest number of enrolments in more than five years, pushing their number of students to more than 400, while Year 7 enrolments in most of the regions high schools are up from last year.

“We’ve seen healthy enrolments across Armidale, which is positive for the education department and community, and all of our schools are looking good for a great start to the year,” regional director for Department of education and training, Jim White told The Express.

The region will also welcome two new principals this year with Duval High School’s former principal Phil Jones moving into the position of school education director for the New England central region.

His position will be filled temporarily by David Bieler until a new principal is appointed in term one.

Guyra central school’s new principal Joanne Burgess will also undertake her first full year as principal after starting at the school late last year.

Ms Burgess joined Thalgarrah Enviromental Education Centre principal Matthew McKenzie and Yetman Public School’s Charna Wood in attending an induction course and conference for new principals held in Sydney on January 19.

The conference covered issues such as, ways to improve students results, ways to improve the quality of teaching, student and staff management, physical and financial management, school and community partnerships, school planning, performance, reporting and accountability and customer service.

But perhaps the most positive piece of news for locals schools is the rollout of the Federal Government’s Education Revolution Plan, which has seen millions of dollars poured into Armidale schools.

“What’s exciting for us is the education revolution which will see ten’s of millions of dollars spent on Armidale schools,” Mr White said.

“Both Armidale High and Duval High schools have had significant refurbishing of rooms including food tech areas, with more work to come.”