NSW Minister for Education John Aquilina made the announcement during a special combined assembly of Moree Technology and Courallie high schools, which will amalgamate to form the new college next year.

“Probably this is the most significant day in the history of education for Moree,” Mr Aquilina said.

The minister said it was significant both in terms of what the amalgamation would immediately deliver as well as the promise it held for the future.

“The junior campus of the Moree Secondary College will be situated at Courallie High School and the senior campus at Moree High School,” Mr Aquilina said.

“It will deliver a broad curriculum in modern teaching and learning facilities.”

Mr Aquilina said the new college would provide its 560 students with a greater choice of subjects and increased opportunities to undertake vocational courses through TAFE and university.

“Students will be able to take advantage of a 30 per cent increase in senior courses.”

The minister said an additional alternative education access centre would operate for Years 7 to 10 with a gifted and talented facility planned for both campuses.

“The blueprint for this secondary college was developed after extensive community consultation involving representatives from the Moree Aboriginal community, the NSW Teachers’ Federation, the schools’ councils and parent organisations,” Mr Aquilina said.

Current Moree Technology High School principal and soon-to-be Moree Secondary College principal Neil Mieren-dorff described Mr Aquilina’s announcement as both exciting and a relief.

“The long process of transparent explanation, consultation, discussion, deliberation and finally recommendation has been fruitful and laid the foundations for future success,” Mr Mierendorff said.

General maintenance work will be done on both sites with a facelift planned for the junior campus in 2002.