The claim comes from the president of the town’s Wirreanda Public school parents and citizen ‘s association, Kate Washington.

She said this week that more than 550 children travelled by school bus out of the Medowie and Tanilba Bay area every day, having to leave home as early as 7am.

‘‘The buses cannot meet the demand, ‘‘ Ms Washington said.

‘‘It’s time that the much-discussed and long-awaited Medowie high school gets the go ahead to avoid disaster.’’

Ms Washington is also member of the town’s high school campaign committee.

‘‘Our kids deserve better, one parent told me her son walked home because he couldn’t fit on a bus from Raymond Terrace,’’ she said.

Ms Washington said there was also concern about the number of students on the bus with reports children could not get a seat.

The push for a Medowie high school has been running for years.

But the Department of Education and Training has argued it would hit enrolments at Irrawang High which already had all the necessary resources.

Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann supports a Medowie high school.

"There is a need for a high school in Medowie now,’’ he said.

‘‘Major subdivisions planned in the area will only create an even greater demand.’’