KEEN: Year nine students Amber Smithson, 14, and Emma Broadhead, 14 are excited to be in the first group to go to year 12 at the school. Picture: Sarah Price
YEAR nine students at Medowie Christian school are celebrating after the school announced it would be introducing years 11 and 12 by 2014.
The current year nine students will be the first batch to go through with students Emma Broadhead, 14 and Amber Smithson, 14, both saying they were very excited by the prospect of completing their education on one campus.
For Amber, who changed to Medowie Christian from Medowie Public, it means she can continue her education with the same group of friends and teachers and will not have to get up early and home late for a commute into Newcastle
"We'll already know everyone," Amber said.
While for Emma it meant staying in the same positive atmosphere with the possibility of a better education from small class sizes.
"We will have more one-on-one time with the teacher," she said.
The school made the announcement this week, with parents informed about the move at the end of last week.
The school's chairman, David Harrison said the announcement had been driven by community demand and comes after two years of planning and preparation.
"The need for a complete years seven to 12 high school in Medowie has been highlighted by a lengthy and vocal community campaign which has gained increased momentum over the past three years," he said.
"We have listened, responded and delivered."
Head of senior school Troy Lavender, who helped with the project, has also introduced senior years to three other schools he worked and said a lot of research, professional development and planning had gone into getting years 11 and 12 at the school. Medowie Christian School is inviting the community to find out more by attending a launch on Wednesday, August 1 at 6.30pm.