The Armidale School (TAS) is a vibrant co-educational boarding and day school in the heart of the New England highlands of northern NSW. For students from Pre-Kindergarten all the way to Year 12, TAS is a dynamic place to live and learn and for every student to explore, experience and excel.
Our Ethos
TAS was founded as a boarding school in 1894 as an independent Anglican school and is the only regional based co-educational school within the membership of the Great Public Schools of NSW (AAGPS). We offer a diverse curriculum with a focus on individual academic achievement and the development of strong character through engagement in a broad range of co-curricular, challenge and adventure programs. TAS is an International Baccalaureate World School in our Junior and Middle Schools and offers the HSC program in our Senior School.
Our goal is to enable our students to have the education, skills, attitudes and open mindedness that will prepare them for life.
We are proud of our community, and proud to be a regional school with a global outlook; we value our traditions but celebrate innovation. We offer a family education destination for boys and girls where everyone matters and this is what makes us, ‘The One For All’.
TAS has a long history as a quality regional boarding school that prides itself on the breadth of its offerings both in and outside of the classroom and attention to the individual student.
It is a place where fresh air and green space abound, and where our aim is to develop young people with strength of character, courage, decency, and a passion for life. Our academic strengths, boarding heritage, Christian values and co-curricular programs promote a sense of belonging, resilience and meaning to all who live, work, and play here.We look forward to welcoming you to find out more about what makes The Armidale School the special community it is.
- Dr Rachel Horton, Principal
TAS at a Glance
TAS comprises 3 distinct Schools all existing on the same green 25 hectare campus; Junior School (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 5), Middle School (Years 6 to 8) and Senior School (Years 9 to 12). Each school is purposely designed to meet the students’ changing physiological, emotional and psychological needs.
We welcome students from regional areas, metropolitan centres, interstate and overseas. We have a diverse student population of over 680 students and we are growing every year.
TAS Junior School has currently around 177 students and is growing rapidly with waiting lists in a number of year groups.
TAS Middle and Senior school population has around 505 students with 50% boarders and 50% day students. 42% of the student population is girls and 58% is boys.
There is a soft landing for boarders at TAS with specialised separate Middle School boys and girls boarding Houses. With staffing appropriate for those beginning their boarding journey, these Houses are designed around the needs of our youngest students.
We also have 3 senior boys boarding Houses for Years 9 to 12, and one senior girls boarding House with another one due to be opened in 2024.
682
Total students
444
Day students
238
Boarding students
By Road:
TAS is located in Armidale NSW, approximately halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and two hours inland, it is Australia’s highest city, with an altitude of around 1000m. The New England Highway forms part of the major inland route connecting Sydney and Brisbane and carves through the spectacular New England High Country. Along this drive, you’ll find outstanding eateries as well as a range of breweries, wineries and distilleries. Discover unique attractions, museums and art galleries as well as an abundance of natural wonders before reaching picturesque Armidale.
Waterfall Way: There is no hyperbole in the name of this road: travel on it and you will see many waterfalls. You’ll also cross the dividing range from Coffs Harbour to Armidale, a mountain pass with hairpin bends and long, steep hills. Stop at the many lookouts to enjoy incredible views over the gorges to the coastal flats beyond.
Thunderbolts Way: We’re not short of stunning drives in NSW, but Thunderbolts Way is among the best as it weaves over the Great Dividing Range climbing almost 1000m in altitude and provides spectacular scenery around every bend. Thunderbolts Way is the perfect scenic route for anyone travelling to Armidale from Sydney, Newcastle or the Central Coast.
Oxley Highway: Beginning in Port Macquarie, this epic road tightly winds its way through the tall timbered forests of the mountains to reach the lofty tablelands of New England where the road suddenly transforms into vast prairie-like valleys to Walcha. Along the way explore the incredible Apsley Falls and when you arrive in Walcha take a break at one of the many cafes. From Walcha continue towards Uralla, to join the New England Highway 20km south of Armidale.
By Air:
Numerous flights operate each day between Sydney and Armidale. Brisbane to Armidale flights are also available. Armidale Airport is located only six minutes from the city centre.
By Rail:
If you have more time on hand and want to take the scenic route to New England High Country, why not take the train? Transport NSW TrainLink operates a daily service between Sydney and Armidale that takes about eight hours, while buses operate from Armidale to Guyra.