Students at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School are quite literally flying the nest.
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When boarding students return back to school after weeks of learning from home, they will have new sleeping arrangements in ensuite accommodation at the Tamworth Flying School to meet coronavirus pandemic guidelines.
Until now, boarding schools have been unable to return all of their students to full-time face-to-face learning due to Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) guidelines, which outlines that students must either be accommodated in single rooms or a dormitory occupied at no more than 25 per cent of its previous capacity.
This has meant that only 152 of the 320 boarders at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School were able to return to school while just year 11 and 12 boarders were allowed at one of the state's other public boarding schools, Yanco Agricultural High School.
Josh Swinton, who is in year 11 and will be moving out to the flying school as a dorm monitor, says he's looking forward to when his year seven brother, who is currently back at school and his year nine brother who is at home, can be together again.
"It will put us back together again here at school and it certainly takes the weight off our parents' shoulders having two at school and one at home," Josh said.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said while students at Farrer and Yanco had still been able to learn remotely, it was critical to get them back in the classroom and back to a "sense of normality".
"This accommodation perfectly meets all of the department's requirements for security, wifi provision, a health centre, catering and recreation facilities; it was a no-brainer," Ms Mitchell said.
For students at Yanco Agricultural High School, the fast tracking of pre-planned renovations at some of the boarding facilities and adjustments to other existing dormitories such as the installation of partition walls will allow for a staged return for all students.
"I know how important it is to get all of our country kids - no matter where they live - back into the classroom, so I am thrilled we were able to look at infrastructure modifications at Yanco to fast-track their return," Ms Mitchell said.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he was grateful they had been able to take a negative situation with the flying school sitting empty due to COVID-19 and turn that into a positive for the community and students.
The flying school site is 16km from the school and a local bus company will be contracted to transport the students.
