“Students enrol at Finigan School of Distance Education for a whole range of reasons, not just because they are geographically isolated,” Principal Harvey Wilson began after sitting down with a local reporter.

“Did you know we have students that are elite mountain bikers, drivers in F2 racing, and Olympic level snowboarders?” she added.

“If you’re in the top 10 in your field and you simply can’t attend regular school, we can work with the relevant governing body to make sure your education is prioritised and delivered.”

Queanbeyan’s Regional Independent reporter, Debbie Evans, nodded thoughtfully as she jotted down shorthand notes. Then she put down her pen and asked a question that turned the interview on its head.

“You know I used to go to Blackfriars?” she said.

“Did you really?” Harvey gasped. Blackfriars was Australia's very first correspondence school..

“Yeah, my siblings and I were enrolled there because of childhood health issues, and it was too far to the nearest school,” Debbie replied.

Suddenly Harvey was peppering Debbie with questions.

Q. When did you go to Blackfriars?

“I was there from 1965 to the end of 1968, so when I finished Year 10.”

Q. Where were you living?

“We were living on a farm outside of Grenfall (an historic gold-mining town in the central west, known as the birthplace of poet Henry Lawson)

Q. Were you taught by Walter Finigan?

“Don't know if I’m that old!” (Blackfriars Principal and namesake of the Finigan School of Distance Education retired in the late 1940s)

Q. What do you remember of school?

“I remember I used to look forward to the mail each week and I just loved receiving the manila envelopes; it was very exciting,” Debbie said.

The lessons were packed up and sent by thousands of teachers working in an imposing brick and sandstone building in Chippendale; formerly Blackfriars Public School. It had an international reputation as the ‘School in a Mailbox’ and was the world’s first correspondence school for remote education.

“Now we have state of the art green screen technology,” Harvey explained as she took Debbie for a tour of the school. They entered one classroom with a range of tech, including a large transparent ‘blackboard’.

“Anything you write on this lightboard will be broadcast to your students, and you can cast images, maps, art – it's a wonderful resource.”

Harvey went on to explain how remote learning can be a lifesaver for students in a range of different circumstances.

The great majority of Finigan’s students are enrolled in single subjects their own schools may not offer.

“We have 718 students studying a unit that is important to them, and another 138 full-time students,” Harvey said.

One student, Aiden Pawson from Smiths Hill High School in Wollongong, enrolled in Finigan to pick up the unit Enterprise Computing.

“I was keen to do as many STEM units as I could,” Aidan said.

He ended up being placed eighth in NSW for that unit in last year’s HSC.

“Our teachers are experts in reaching through the camera to build relationships, meet the student where they are and support them to reach their education goals,” Harvey told Debbie as they continued their tour.

“You know in 2024, our entire Italian Beginners HSC cohort achieved Band 6; And we had 7 students chosen for CALLBACK, which recognises outstanding major works by HSC Dance students. We are really chuffed with our academic successes.”

Harvey raised another group of students benefitting from Finigan’s remotely delivered and high-quality education.

“Students with neurodiversity or significant mental health issues, those who can’t make regular schoolwork, they can apply to enrol here,” she said. “We had a young man who was too anxious to leave his car, and now he’s in university.

“I’m really proud of being able to offer an alternative to those young people.”

The tour ended at a photo of Walter Finigan, namesake of the school and himself a veteran of the First World War.

While Debbie lined up Harvey to take a photo in front of Walter’s war medals, Harvey mentioned her fledgling alumni group.

“You’d be our first member Debbie,” Harvey said with a broad grin.

“Well, you can have me and my sister who also lives in Queanbeyan,” Debbie replied. “Two for the price of one. And I’ll throw in a story for the local paper!”

If you are an alumni of Finigan School of Distance Education, it’s predecessor Karabar Distance Education Centre, Queanbeyan Public Distance Education Centre or Blackfriars School, please reach out to Harvey Wilson via the school email finigansde@det.nsw.edu.au