Parents and students gather round new Mulwala Public School principal, Kylie Ellis who says that no child is just a number.
When Kylie Ellis talks about education, one message shines through, that every child deserves to be known, valued and allowed to thrive.
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The new principal at Mulwala Public School believes one of the greatest strengths of a small country school is that no child is just a number.
"It's a beautiful school. The children are lovely, and one of the things I love most about smaller schools is that you really get to know every student and every family," Kylie said.
Originally from Sydney, Kylie and her husband made the decision three years ago to swap city life for the country through the NSW Department of Education's Rural Experience Program.
"I wanted to use my teaching career as a way of getting out of the city," she said.
Her journey first took her to Gravesend, between Moree and Inverell, and what began as a 10-week appointment became two and a half years leading a small rural school while living in Goondiwindi.
It was valuable experience as a principal and gave Kylie an understanding of the importance of community connections in country education.
When the opportunity arose to apply for the permanent principal's position at Mulwala, Kylie knew it was the right fit.
"I didn't know much about Mulwala, except that it was on the Victorian border," Kylie said.
"My husband immediately said, 'Lake Mulwala, that's fabulous fishing!'."
Mulwala Public School’s new principal, Kylie Ellis.
For Kylie, the benefits of a small school extend far beyond class size.
"Our smaller classes allow teachers to really know every child, understand how they learn and tailor lessons to suit their individual needs," she said.
"Every classroom has a teacher and a teacher's aide, giving students plenty of individual support."
She said students also benefit from strong friendships, leadership opportunities and close relationships between teachers, parents and the wider community.
"The connections you build are so much stronger," Kylie said.
"Parents know the staff, the staff know the families, and everyone works together to help children succeed.
"Children need to feel safe, supported and valued before they're ready to learn, and building confidence, self-esteem and strong relationships creates the environment where children are willing to learn and take risks."
As a teaching principal, Kylie will continue spending time in the classroom and says she loves those 'aha' moments when children suddenly understand something.
Mulwala Public School currently has 28 students but has capacity for many more, including children from across the Victorian border.
With more than two decades of experience in education, including leadership roles in rural schools and as a principal at Goondiwindi, Kylie Ellis brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and a commitment to country education.
"I want Mulwala Public School to become a real pillar of the community; a school that families actively choose because of its caring environment, personalised learning and high-quality education," Kylie said.
With her experience, dedication to student wellbeing and belief in the power of small schools, Kylie Ellis is excited to lead Mulwala Public School into its next chapter and strengthen its place at the heart of the community.
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