Tomaree Education Centre (TEC), celebrating its 20th anniversary next month, was almost built on what is today the Port’s most controversial parcel of land – the Mambo Wetlands.
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Eventually the steering committee settled on the 9.6-hectare site on Salamander Way, deemed to be more accessible to infrastructure such as the shopping centre and sporting facilities.
This stark revelation came after the Examiner met with three of the TEC’s most influential proponents – teacher Vicki McCleer and former principals Don Watham (high school) and Elaine Fereday (primary).
Ms McCleer, who has taught children of former students at both Nelson Bay and Tomaree high, said the 1998 move was significant for the entire community.
“It was an incredible feat to ask more than 1500 children and 120 teachers and staff to leave their old grounds and move into the new,” she said.
Mr Watham said that planning for the TEC began in 1992 when it became obvious that the increasing number of students would out-grow the school buildings at the former Nelson Bay High.
“Likewise the primary school, then located in Wahgunyah Road, was growing so it made sense to combine the two along with a TAFE facility on the one site,” he said.
Seven years and $17 million later, students from kindergarten to Year 12 with teachers and staff moved into a state-of-the-art education centre, opened by then Education Minister John Aquilina.
While the high school students undertook a symbolic walk from Shoal Bay Road to the new premises, the younger children had the luxury of bus trips.
“At the time there was mixed reaction to the move from some parents, but we were able to communicate with them the long-term benefits including the sharing of facilities such as the library and multi-purpose centre,” said Ms Fereday.
Other contentious issues included the school name [Tomaree was voted ahead of Nelson Bay], uniform, colours, logo and starting-finishing times.
Then there was the logistic challenge of transferring furniture, technology and library books.
The 20th anniversary celebrations will comprise a special assembly on November 9 followed by a dinner at Soldiers Point Bowling Club on November 10. For details contact TEC on 4981 1444.