PARENTS of students set to attend the new super-school in Armidale have a number of unanswered questions.
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The news of the $65 million state government investment dropped on Tuesday.
But, parents have said they were given no notification ahead of the announcement.
New England District P&C president Rachael Sowden said parents were upset with the delivery.
“There wasn’t any conversation or consultation prior to it being announced,” she said.
“Both current and previous parents, down to old school captains, are asking what’s happening to the heritage?
“There’s a big concern over what will happen during the transition period.”
Both Armidale and Duval High Schools will be dissolved, with the still unnamed super-school to be built on the Armidale High School grounds.
Students will be moved to the Duval campus from 2019, and will move back into the new facility in 2021.
Armidale and Duval are the only public high schools in the town, and Ms Sowden said parents shared concerns about bullying.
“Students will be thrown back into the mix together in a very small site [during the transition],” she said.
“When there isn’t enough space those are times when conflict can arise.
“That’s definitely something the schools will have to work through and make sure they’re very cognitive of those bullying concerns.”
Despite the issues, Ms Sowden said the super-school is an amazing asset to the regional community.
With a state-of-the-art purpose built theatre, full wifi integration, commercial grade vocational facilities and upgraded sporting fields, students will be spoilt for choice.
The high student population will allow teachers to specialise in certain fields, and students can be offered every subject on the statewide curriculum.
The facility was proof the state government is committed to public education, Ms Sowden said.
“We are an education hotspot with our university, our schools, and our TAFE.
“This will enhance those facilities - it’s great for the kids and the teachers.”