Macdonald Valley Public School in Greater Sydney recently experienced an unusual lockdown due to an aggressive camel roaming nearby. This incident is just one of the quirky challenges faced by the school, which has a small enrollment of only 13 students and four part-time teachers. The school is celebrating its 180th anniversary, making it the oldest continuously operating government school in New South Wales, according to the Department of Education.

Principal Sarah Allen, who has led the school for nearly five years, expressed her deep connection to the community. "When I first came here, it was like I had died and gone to heaven," she said. The school serves the Lower Macdonald area, which has a population of fewer than 300 residents. Allen noted that the school's longevity reflects the strong ties within the small community. "So many of the people you meet on the street would be ex-students or teachers, or was the bus driver — it's lovely," she added.

The Sternbeck family, among the first non-Indigenous settlers in the region, has a long history with the school. Rachel Slater, a sixth-generation Sternbeck, runs a daycare center on the same property. "My dad went here, my sister went here, and now my two children are here," she said. "It's really special to have so many of us walk these halls."

The community has faced significant challenges, including natural disasters. In 2020, they were threatened by the Gospers Mountain mega-blaze, and in 2022, they united as the Macdonald River reached a record flood level of over 13 meters. "The community has gone through a lot here, but they really rally behind each other," Allen remarked.

Allen emphasized the importance of students connecting with nature alongside their academic studies. "Having the students immerse themselves in the bush is crucial so that they understand the land they live on," she said. Transitioning from a large school to one with a small student body has been a learning experience for her. "We're definitely like a family, but a family with boundaries," she noted.

Despite its remote location, with the nearest major supermarket over a 30-minute drive away and accessible only by ferry, the school strives to provide its students with diverse opportunities. Allen stated, "I think there's a misconception that small schools miss out on a lot of things, but we want to be the exception. We go to the Opera House, we go to plays in the city — we're making sure they're not sort of stuck here."

Music teacher Susan Walker, who has been at the school for a decade, has played a significant role in organizing excursions. "It's rather surreal when you're in a place where you teach the kids of the kids you previously taught," she said. Walker expressed her passion for teaching, stating, "I've loved every second of my time here. I don't know when I'll stop because I just adore working with [the students] so much."

She finds joy in witnessing students discover music for the first time. "Even if it's a fairly simple instrument, like the xylophone or recorder, the look on their face when they realize they're making music is unbeatable," she said. The school continues to thrive, fostering a close-knit community and a love for learning despite its unique challenges.