The paint colours have just been chosen and new carpet is yet to go down, but the first girls’ boarding house at The Armidale School will be at least half full when it welcomes its first residents next year.
Built for junior boys in 1924 by Mrs Nora Dangar as a war memorial to her husband, the historic CC Dangar House is about to get a bright new makeover as ‘home’ to a 26-bed capacity girls boarding house, with more than half the beds already accounted for.
The 13 new boarders, from Sydney, the New England and North West, will be among 35 new female students already confirmed enrolments at TAS next year, who will join the first four senior TAS girls who started Year 12 this term. Further enrolments are expected before the start of Term 1.
The construction of a new wing onto White House is on schedule, which when finished, will accommodate all Middle School boy boarders. Those currently residing in Dangar House will move later this term, allowing refurbishment to begin. Interior Architect Alexandra Edwards of Armidale firm Edwards McRae has created a scheme that pays respect to the building’s heritage, whilst making it a contemporary living space.
Headmaster Murray Guest said the school had been heartened by the strong interest from families and girls wishing to start at the school as both boarders and day girls.
“This is an historic time for TAS and to know that Dangar House will be at least at fifty percent capacity when the next term starts, is good news indeed,” he said.
“It is clear the decision earlier this year to move to full co-education has been welcomed by families who are seeking the same opportunities for girls, as families of boys have been able to do since the school opened its doors in 1894.”
TAS Business Manager Pat Bradley, Interior Architect Alexandra Edwards and Director of Enrolments Pip Warrick inspect the interior design scheme chosen for Dangar House which will be used for girls boarding at TAS from next year.
