The school, which has been open for classes for the past month, was officially opened yesterday by NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli.

The $3.5 million purpose-built facility in Degance St replaces the Denison St school, which was established in 2002 in a converted house.

The new school includes four classrooms, two special programs rooms, administration facilities, and extensive outdoor areas.

Mr Piccoli said the new environment gave students room to move and to achieve even more.

“The old site was well-loved and well-cared for, but it was limited in what could be achieved at school,” he said.

“The bright, colourful new school with its recreation spaces and fantastic grounds offers an environment that will enhance the programs that will best meet the needs of its students.”

Parry caters to students of high school age with behavioural and emotional issues  and currently has 18 enrolments.

With four classrooms now there’s the opportunity for the school to expand its numbers in the future.

Principal Sally Hansen couldn’t keep the smile off her face yesterday, having lobbied long and hard for a separate purpose-built 

complex, rather than being co-located with an existing school, as had been the original plan.

“I’m just thrilled,” she said. 

“I’m nearing the end of my career and it’s great to have achieved this.

“The students deserve it and the community deserves it.”

Fifteen-year-old Sarah Sheridan was one of the students showing guests around her new school 

yesterday, and spoke passionately about the difference Parry School had made to her life.

She said the new school offered students a more positive environment in which to learn and they were loving the larger play areas and brand new kitchen.

The school is just down from Bullimbal School on the site formerly occupied by Tamworth High’s agriculture plot.