BROKE Public School has been operating since 1871 and has had many dedicated principals and Kathy Nott intends to be one of them.

Education has been Mrs Nott’s entire career and she has mainly been involved in schools in rural areas.

Broke Public School and its 58 students are neither the smallest school nor the largest Mrs Nott has worked at and over the years, she has found every school rewarding and challenging.

Coming from three years at Bribbaree Public School, 50 kilometres from Young, Mrs Nott knows what small communities are about and the importance of the school unit within those communities.

She has done some city work, but finds no matter where she is teaching the children are the same.

“Broke has some very good vibes and I am looking forward to working with the wonderful teachers here who are doing a fantastic job,” she said.

While Mrs Nott does not see differences in the children at city or rural schools she does see differences in what the two types of education offer.

“Rural education offers children more opportunities,” she said.

“It provides more freedom with the opportunity to travel to the city and experience different things they wouldn’t in the country.

“We also have great access to video conferencing facilities and every classroom has an interactive white board.”

Mrs Nott is also looking forward to experiencing the communities at neighbouring small schools and said she was impressed with the interaction at the staff development days that bring Kirkton, Jerrys Plains, Milbrodale, Mt Pleasant and Broke Public Schools staff together.

Mrs Nott has moved to Singleton and intends to be actively involved in the community exploring her interests of tennis and craft.

“This is a long term position and I intend to be here for the long term,” she said.

Mrs Nott is a teaching principal and is the teacher for the year 2 to 3 class.