FLAGSTONE Creek State School’s new principal is aiming to outlast her predecessor, who oversaw the school for 36 years.

Rebecca Brown, 37, transferred to the small Lockyer Valley school this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, when schools transitioned to home learning.

But it was a chance for the Stanthorpe local to be closer to home, and work in her favourite environment – small schools.

“I’m following behind David, who was principal for 36 years,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful school and I can definitely see why David stayed so long.”

Ms Brown is a teaching principal and is in the Year 5 and 6 classroom four days a week.

She’s travelled most of Queensland for her teaching career, but 14 years ago made the swap to the small school principal role.

“As a principal, its about working with the parents,” she said.

“Being a principal of a small school is different to other schools because you get to work with the parents more closely and the teachers to support their children.”

With 37 students to take care of, Ms Brown said she enjoyed watching the kids transition through their primary years.

“It’s about watching the kids grow, develop and blossom into their own little individual personalities and see them move on to high school,” she said.

Like most teachers, Ms Brown is a fan of chocolate and coffee, but is also a sport enthusiast.

She’s hoping Queensland are victorious in the final State of Origin round next week.