TRIBUTES are continuing to flow for popular Armidale principal Murray Guest as the school rallies to support staff and students in the wake of his shock death.
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Mr Guest is being remembered as a "lovely fella", a passionate educator and a strong leader, after guiding The Armidale School (TAS) for 21 years.
The husband and father-of-two was killed in a crash near Wollomombi on Tuesday morning, when the car he was driving struck a tree off the Waterfall Way and burst into flames.
HSC students, as well as other pupils and staff, were being supported on Wednesday by a team of counsellors deployed to the school.
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"Our primary focus at the moment is the support we can give to the Guest family, and the welfare of our students and staff," deputy principal and now acting headmaster Alan Jones told the Leader.
"We are grateful to seven counsellors from PLC, the Department of Education and Centacare who were here this morning.
"We have been offered a great deal of support from schools in Sydney and have also been in contact with the national manager of Headspace, who offer a range of services."
The shock passing of the long-time principal comes amid HSC exams for year 12 students.
The school said it was "doing everything it can" to support all students and the "focus is for the welfare of the students".
The school confirmed it had liaised with the parents of those students still sitting their final exams and special provisions were in place.
"For those year 12 students still to sit HSC exams, the school will be filing a group misadventure appeal that will be considered by NESA, with students feeling particularly impacted by the tragedy also having the option to complete an individual appeal," Mr Jones said.
"We have reassured them that there is plenty of support if they need it, and just to try and do the best they can."
POLICE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Police investigators are still piecing together the moments leading up to Tuesday morning's crash.
The crime scene was examined by detectives and forensic police on Tuesday afternoon and the wreckage was seized as part of the investigation.
New England police confirmed the circumstances of the crash were being investigated.
A spokesperson said the brief of evidence would be given to the Armidale coroner, who would ultimately determine the cause of death.
On Wednesday, condolence messages were being left online to provide to the Guest family, as hundreds of tributes continued to flow from local MPs, colleagues, old boys, friends, and past and present students.
Mr Guest had been the headmaster of the school since 1998, pioneering it as a co-educational school in 2016 from an all-boys private institution previously.
Mr Jones said the news was devastating for the school community, particularly staff and the 620 students.
"But in particular, our prayers and thoughts are with his family: his wife, Joanne, and his children, Annelise and Harry," he said.
"The TAS community is united in our grief and devastated by this news.
"We are aware of the emotional impact this news may have on all of you.
"We are providing initial support to our students through our welfare team.
"I assure you that, while this news is heartbreaking and incomprehensible, our board and staff will continue to guide the school during this very sad time."