Situated between the Dorrigo Plateau and the Great Dividing Range, Hernani has deep rich red soils, plentiful rainfall, mild summers and cold winters. There is no town as such, just the school, a hall, and superb tennis courts maintained by an involved community.  Our nearest town is Dorrigo, nearly 50 kilometres east, while the major centres of Armidale, Grafton and Coffs Harbour are all more than 100 kilometres away.

The school is on a hectare of flat ground with 3 main buildings. The main classroom is of 60s vintage and brick, with a tiny office/ storeroom attached. There s a demountable and an older weatherboard building soon to be the library. The present library is a converted weathershed, now bursting at the seams.

Agriculture is the source of income for most families, primarily through beef cattle and some sheep. In the past, potato growing provided itinerant workers to increase school numbers. Those days, however, are gone. School numbers now hug the magic number for two teachers.

The children are delightful country children. They exude responsibility, determination, enthusiasm, a sense of stability and a joy for life and learning.

Being quite new to CAP we re still finding our way through this excellent support in meeting the demands (and utilising the benefits) of isolation.