Whatever the collective noun is for a group of high-ranking state MPs, we will have it this week. The premier, deputy premier, education minister and our local MP, who is also a cabinet minister, will all be in Armidale on Friday for the opening.

It's almost four years since we broke the story, in June 2017, that Armidale High School and Duval High School would merge to form what was then called a super school.

While the term super school was soon dropped, there would be focus groups and surveys as plans for the new facility took shape.

In May 2018, we heard the name Armidale Secondary College for the first time and at the end of that year, artist impressions of what the school would look like were revealed.

It wasn't all smooth sailing. Initially there were plans for a 1000-seat performance venue at the school, with $1m from Armidale Regional Council. But two years ago we learned that had been dropped from the plans.

The first sod was turned in 2019, and the new school began at the Duval campus.

By the time we got to 2020, construction was ahead of schedule at the former Armidale High School site, and now we are less than a week away from the official opening.

We congratulate the school community and hope everything goes well this week, and the year ahead.

Thanks for reading, and remember if you have a news tip or just want to get in touch, you can reach us at armidaleexpress@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

Laurie Bullock

Group Editor