Two small schools more than 120km apart — Broadwater and Old Bonalbo — have new principals starting this term.

At Broadwater Public School, Jake Debrincat joins this term as principal. 

At Old Bonalbo, it is Samantha Cooper’s first time as a principal.

Across NSW, 80 new principals have started meeting staff at school development days.

Of these principals, 51 are taking up the leadership roles for the first time and 29 are principals starting at a new school, with 31 across the Sydney metropolitan area and 49 in regional areas of NSW.

Welcome to our region Ms Cooper and Mr Debrincat. Most students return to school this Monday,  February 2. 

This information was provided by the NSW Department of Education.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 31 January 2026.