STROUD Road Public School has a new principal.
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The tiny school of 15 students welcomed new principal Crystal McGuigan last Wednesday.
Ms McGuigan comes to Stroud Road after 11 years in the Riverina, teaching at small public and central schools.
Originally from Newcastle, she has most recently been the principal of tiny Naradhan Public, about an hour outside Griffith.
“I spent three years at Naradhan as principal but decided I wanted to be closer to family. My younger sister has just had a baby and my mum and dad are recovering from their house burning down early last year,” she said.
Ms McGuigan said she loved the dynamic of a small public school and its position as the hub of a community.
“The kids are different, in a good way,” she said.
“The kids here say they’re just like a family and they are. And the parents are so much more involved in the running of the school.”
A former member of the Rural Fire Service and keen sportswoman, Ms McGuigan said she was keen to become involved in the Stroud Road community outside the school.
“It’s not just about community involvement in the school, but for me to be a part of this community,” she said.
Stroud Road was downgraded from a P5 public school to a P6 midway through last year, but Ms McGuigan said lifting enrolments was not her top priority.
“We’ll use the funding we do have to have two classes,” she said.
“For me it’s all about the kids. I love being a principal, but I also love being in the classroom.
“There’s nothing better than the moment a kid just gets something.”