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“Being an outback principal is an amazing experience,” she said.

“I can’t see myself anywhere else at this stage.

“I encourage anyone wishing to develop their leadership experience to give it a go.”

Wheeler is inspired to help her six students get the best possible education in 2023.

“I am so thrilled with the improvements I am seeing,” she said.

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“The most important skill needed is to be an open and honest person, willing to connect with the community and the passion to provide the best education for the students of the school.”

A typical day starts at the school at 7.30am, checking a responding to emails, preparing the classroom for the day’s lessons, greeting students and parents and overseeing playtime and the breakfast club.

Then it is onto literacy, numeracy and other key learning areas, before chatting with parents at the end of the day and debriefing with staff and colleagues, in person and online.

A typical day might also include chasing the odd goat from the classroom or being offered a ride in a helicopter over local cattle stations and the Sturt National Park.

In a town with two pubs and two eateries, chats with parents are not confined to school hours.

“On Friday evenings I have drinks and dinner with staff and catch up with parents,” Wheeler said.

She values the relationships with students, parents and the community and being pushed out of her skills comfort zone.

“As an outback principal, I have learnt about plumbing, gardening and construction, human resources, finance, work, health and safety,” she said.

She encouraged other teachers to consider a remote posting.

“There are exceptional incentives and the Far West is an incredible supportive network,” she said.

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