The Armidale School (TAS) is the only Greater Public School (GPS) outside the Sydney metropolitan area and has more than 115 years of excellence in education. The school caters for students from Transition to Year 12, with boarding for boys commencing from Year 6. The Junior School (Transition to Year 5) is fully co-educational, while the Middle School (Years 6 to 8) and Senior School (Years 9 to 12) offer boys a comprehensive education. TAS specialises in seven-days-a week boarding, with well-equipped boarding houses, specialist housemasters and an excellent pastoral care system. The aim of the school is to enable every student to achieve his or her full potential. This is achieved through top academic results and extensive co-curricular and extracurricular programs.
Facilities: Heated indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, indoor cricket centre, new drama and art facilities with a 200-seat theatre, modern library, music centre, computer centre, technology and trade training centre, extensive playing fields, rifle range, Poll Hereford stud and farm and comfortable boarding houses.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Extension English, Extension History and Geography, Agriculture, Transport Technology, Information Software and Technology, Design and Technology, Physical Activity and Sports Studies, Japanese, French, Commerce, Food Technology.
Electives Years 11 and 12: At HSC level — English (all courses), Mathematics (all courses), Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Biology, Legal Studies, Physics, Modern History, Ancient History, Business Studies, Economics, Agriculture, Design and Technology, French, Japanese (and Beginners), Chinese for Background Speakers, Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Software Design and Development, Economics, Geography, PD/Health/PE, Aviation Studies. NSW Board Vocational courses — Metals and Engineering, Information Technology, Hospitality, Automotive Studies, Building Construction and Fabrication, Sport and Recreation Fitness, Aviation Theory.
Sport: Competitive — football, cricket, rugby, basketball, rifle shooting, tennis, swimming, athletics, hockey, whitewater kayaking. Leisure — touch football, golf, canoeing, water polo.
Extracurricular activities: Debating and public speaking, drama, band, orchestra, choirs, art, photography, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Poll Hereford stud participating in local and regional agricultural shows, international exchange and community service opportunities.
Welfare and personal development: There is a well-structured system of pastoral care in the boarding and day houses, which are arranged in a “vertical” system. Academic staff members are responsible for the tutoring of students, and well-established careers and work experience programs are in place.
Special features: TAS is well placed in the New England Tablelands to pursue an active outdoor education program. All boys participate in a structured program which develops responsibility, self-confidence and leadership. Choices include cadets, pioneers, Rural Fire Service, surf lifesaving, and community service.
From the school: The Armidale School (TAS) is a boarding and day school for boys where the individual matters. Our size means we offer more opportunity per student. Currently we have 400 secondary students with over 200 boarders. Every boy participates in community service, plays sport, pursues a creative or leadership activity and is involved in outdoor education.
This year our students will learn to fly, hike the Kokoda Track, sing in the Sydney Opera House, play cricket and rugby in New Zealand, go on student exchange overseas, work in an orphanage in Fiji, paddle the Hawkesbury river and learn with state-of-the art technology.