MORE than 90 fresh students and staff from two of Sydney’s leading schools were among those starting at The Armidale School last week.
The newcomers were warmly welcomed and introduced to the school by Headmaster Murray Guest at the first school assembly for the year.
Senior teacher at TAS and a boarding housemaster David Drain comes from St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill. Prior to that, he worked in finance in Australia and the UK and in sports marketing, including with the Queensland Reds rugby union.
The new senior visual arts teacher is Karl Sebire teaching art for many years at Australia’s oldest school, The King’s School for many years and overseas. He also worked as a graphic artist.
“The size of the school means TAS provides professional opportunities in academic, boarding and co-curricular life that few schools can match,” Mr Sebire said.
Returning to TAS after several years in Rockhampton is Andrew Junge, who will be a senior teacher and Middle School boarding housemaster.
New students include Hayden Shepherd, a Year 11 boarder from Singleton.
“I’m really looking forward to new opportunities here, including in rugby and getting a better academic education,” Hayden said.
He has visited TAS previously as a member of the Australian Rugby Union’s Junior Gold Cup development squad.
His mother, Nichole, said goodbye with mixed emotions.
“It’s about finishing off his education well, and helping him develop independence,” she said.
“Plenty of schools have nice brochures but through friends he has made with rugby we know TAS has genuine warmth and substance.”
