Mrs Barrett hit the ground running at the school last week, moving from Molong Central School, where she has been the principal for the last six years.

Her tenure comes after a challenging 2020 for Canobolas which resulted in an independent review for the school, the results of which the 2021 staff is now tackling with optimism according to Mrs Barrett.

"We're moving forward, it's a new era and we're looking forward to it with positivity," Mrs Barrett said.

"There's a renewed focus on teaching and learning."

Mrs Barrett said her decision to take the job has been vindicated by the support and enthusiasm she has been greeted with.

"The school undertook a process to review its systems and procedures and as a result there's a renewed focus on teaching and staff," she said.

"There's just such a positive vibe.

"There's new faces in the team and there was such a great start this morning (Friday) by the year 11 and 12s and the year 7s."

Mrs Barrett is grass-roots Orange. She grew up here and attended Orange High School before studying teaching at Wollongong.

She taught physical education in Sydney before moving to Kelso and then came full circle, returning to OHS to teach before becoming deputy principal.

While 'acting' is part of Mrs Barrett's title, it's not going to define her time as principal.

"It's giving the department (of Education) time to get the right person," she said.

"In the meantime I'm excited about the opportunity to set it up (for that person) and to engage with such a supportive staff."

Canobolas' gain is at Molong Central School's expense but Mrs Barrett says she's still invested in the school and has every confidence in the staff's ability to step up in her temporary absence.

"I'm keeping an eye on it," she said.