After months of learning side by side in the virtual world, students From the Dubbo School of Distance Education finally united in real life – some for the first time ever – not in a classroom, but at the city’s annual Agricultural Show.

The students from a range of backgrounds, who are a part of the National School for Travelling Show Children, gathered as part of the school’s residential camp.

Some of them are travelling around the country while others are living and learning from isolated areas across NSW.

“We’ve got kids from preschool all the way to year 6,” Dubbo School of Distance Education Assistant Principal, Jenny Ballhausen, said.

“They’ve come from Condobolin, Wanaaring, Mount Hope, and some of the show children are from even further afield; as far as Victoria.”

The Dubbo School of Distance Education is equipped with hostel accommodation for students who undertake the Residential programs throughout the year. It caters for students from preschool, primary and high school and their families.

While together, students complete activities including curriculum-based workshops with their class teachers as well as enjoying a program of social activities after school hours.

“We always make sure this residential falls in the week of the Dubbo Show and it’s incredible watching them interact,” Ms Balhausen said.

“And here now, they’re all chatting away. You wouldn’t know which students belonged to which category, whether it be geographically isolated or show children, they all just get along no matter where they’re from.”

This year, the activities included getting up close and personal with fire trucks, police cars, and arts and crafts from across the region. There was also a petting zoo.

Student Esther said the best part was getting to try out the many rides at the Dubbo show with her friends by her side.

“We got to test out how scary the rides are,” she said.

“With distance ed, I get to make friends but can’t see them in real life, but at camp, we finally get to do fun stuff together.”

It’s not only a chance for best friends to unite, but for new friends to finally meet.

“They see each other on teams during lessons, but to be physically able to see the whole person and focus on the social learning kids often get at school is the highlight of the school’s year,” Ms Ballhausen said.

“For them, it’s who you are, not what you are or where you’re from and it’s just beautiful.”