AS CONCERNS over the multi-million dollar super-school mount, principals of Armidale and Duval High schools have spoken out.
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The facility will see both schools dissolved.
AHS principal Carolyn Lasker and DHS principal Stafford Cameron said it was understandable that people would have fears about a change of this magnitude.
It's going to be something unheard of in NSW up to this point.
- Stafford Cameron.
“There is a degree of anxiety with some parents,” Ms Lasker said.
“It’s critical in the next phase that we are communicating with the key stakeholders.
“We’re not going to just sit back and let stuff happen to us, we’re going to take the lead on this and make sure the kids and the families are well supported.”
The new school will be built on the current AHS grounds, and students will transition to the DHS campus in 2019.
Students and teachers will move into the state-of-the-art facility in 2021, and DHS will then be sold.
There has been a significant concern over disruption to learning – particularly for Higher School Certificate students.
Ms Lasker said the main focus was to provide support to those students.
“As we go through the process it will become clear that the support we give our students is not going to change – if anything it’s going to increase,” she said.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time doing the logistics and planning to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.”
The consultation period will begin early next term.
A new school culture, name, the heritage buildings and dealing with bullying are all on the agenda.
DHS principal Stafford Cameron said that both schools would ensure the traditions, honour boards and archives were kept – and incorporated into the new school culture.
“We’re going to be able to have a say on what we need to deliver 21st century learning,” he said. “It’s very hard to deliver that in a mid 20th century classroom.
“It’s going to be something unheard of in NSW up to this point.”