One of the smallest schools in the Hawkesbury, Macdonald Valley Public School is in a rural area near the township of St. Albans. The children travel up to fifteen kilometres on the school bus to and from school. Established in 1848, it is the oldest continuously operating government school in New South Wales. It has extensive grounds with large grassed playing areas, basketball court, cricket nets, long jump pit and play equipment, as well as varied countryside with areas of natural bush, wetlands, rain forests, timber plantations, cultivated fields and rugged mountains, providing ideal opportunities for environmental study. The local community includes farmers, craftsmen, artists, musicians and a variety of other professions which offer a culturally diverse parents and citizens group. There is a supportive interaction between the school and its community which provides a rich source of input for school programs. The school is extremely well- resourced with sport, music and craft equipment and has enjoyed success in all key learning areas. We run an award-winning Horsemanship program. Ours is a family-oriented school with the timeless credo 'character builds destiny.'