Mr Quick has taken a position as principal at Manning Adventist School, a school with just 11 students located in Manning Valley, near Taree.

“My wife and I came across the school in November, and heard there was talk of shutting it down,” he said.

“I felt a calling to come across and set it up for the future.”

Incoming ECPS principal Anne Tonkin will commence her position in term two.

In the meantime, Dawn Hankinson will fill the role.

Ms Hankinson has travelled from Mullumbimby to be in Esperance, where she will “hold the fort for a term”.

“I only arrived on Wednesday, but I can already see it’s a very, very beautiful place,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming the new staff and students, and being here for the term.”

Ms Tonkin – who will spend term one on long service leave – taught at ECPS between 2001 and 2006.

“There have been massive changes since I left,” she said.

“The infrastructure has doubled and it’s really been modernised.

“It’s a very classy school.”

Ms Tonkin has spent the last three years as principal at Karalundi Aboriginal Centre near Meekatharra.

“I’ve come from the desert, back to the ocean!” she said.

In Mr Quick’s three years with the school, he oversaw the successful $100,000 in 100 Days fundraising effort and a $1 million building project.

“They were very memorable and enjoyable years,” he said.

“It’s a highly unique school.

“The place is abuzz – the children are happy and the parents are happy.”

Mr Quick – who has moved to Taree with his wife and three children – said he would miss Esperance.

“I’m going to miss the vibe of the place,” he said.

“It’s a place where if you have an idea, you can make it happen.

“The people in the town support you and I’m really going to miss that.”