It comes after the Mercury reported last year that the Thornton-based school was calling for the community’s support to complete the six classroom campus in time for this year’s first term. 

Principal Lara Cheney readily admits the campus, based next to the existing primary school, wouldn’t exist without the tireless efforts of the local community.

“We had people working all through the Christmas break and into January. We had people donating their time, services and resources – even in the extreme heat,” she said.

“We were focused on getting the classrooms ready for the high and middle school … we couldn’t have done it without the community.”

On February 1, the Hunter Aspect School welcomed 13 new high school students onto the new campus.

“The school currently has 13 high school students enrolled, and eight of those students have come from education at home,” Ms Cheney said. 

“So some of them haven’t been in formal schooling for a number of years. They are now coming to school and socialising but also having all the opportunities that school provides.”

But the school still needs the community’s support for the final hurdle.

The school is hosting a gala fundraising dinner next month, which will aim to raise more funds towards establishing the new high school program. 

“There is still a lot of work that needs to be done,” Ms Cheney said. 

“Our main focus is building a technology centre to be able to deliver some of the practical components of the high school courses.

“Throughout the night we will be connecting guests to our school community including presentations by our students and parents. We will also be auctioning off artworks from each of the classes.

“We are so pleased that the program has provided for these students and their families, and I couldn’t be happier with how they’ve started.”

The three-course gala dinner, including entertainment from Roy and HG, will be held on March 23 at Wests Leagues Club, New Lambton. Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite.