Electricity can be in short supply, but never the compassion and dedication of Far West Network school staff.

As the power crisis hit Broken Hill and surrounding areas, schools turned the lights on for students and families.

Under generator power, high schools remained an after-hours source of power, encouragement and achievement for HSC students, as teachers worked overtime to support and calm nerves.

Primary schools helped sterilise baby bottles, invited grandparents to breakfast and urgently restocked canteens – no easy task when fridges and freezers failed across the region.

Willyama High School history teacher Kyra Yea was not going to let her HSC students suffer through a dark age – she and colleagues ran a pop-up study centre the night before the Modern History exam.

History head teacher Kellie Nyman left her husband and children at home in the dark to support students, with colleague Danielle Buckman.

Principal Grant Shepherd said students who would otherwise have been anxiously waiting at home in the dark could instead study with a reliable generator supply and expert support.

“I could see how concerned the students were, so we put a call out to teachers who might be able to help,” he said.

“Twenty-one teachers immediately put up their hands.

“Since that first night, we established a HSC study hotline, so students can ring and meet staff at school with reliable power, lighting and cooling.

“They can access their notes, use the internet and make themselves a cuppa.

“Exams are stressful enough, without going through this, and the compassion and generosity of the teachers is overwhelming.

“They have been staying back until 10pm to help their students; they did not want them to be stressed.”

Broken Hill High School principal Ross Mackay said his staff are running a study centre, as power shedding continues to deprive sections of the city of power.

Broken Hill Public School principal Jonathon Thomas praised the determination of canteen manager Donna Lee Singleton, who put her disappointment behind her and set about sourcing replacement supplies for spoiled food.

“Donna was amazing. She moved heaven and earth to restock, which was no easy task,” Mr Thomas said.

“She wanted to ensure children could have lunch at school.”

Her efforts meant so much for families still without power or food at home.

Broken Hill North Public School principal Angela Sampson knew her school had to step up too, when power again failed on Monday 21 October.

A generator was delivered the previous day and Ms Sampson issued a social media breakfast invitation to families.

“If you need support, please come to the school,” she told her extended school community.

They did – on Tuesday morning, Breakfast Club manager Kath Yates and her team fed almost 100 people, from grandparents to babies.

“We helped one mum sterilise her baby’s bottles,” Ms Sampson said.

“Kath was arriving at 6.30am and the whole staff pitched in to have breakfast, recess and lunches ready to go for families and students.”

The team has continued to provide fruit, toast, muesli bars, cereal, recess packs and wellbeing lunches.

Broken Hill North Public School also became a 'command centre' for local schools, so principals could coordinate clear messages to all families, when communication systems were down or overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Tibooburra Outback Public School principal Amanda Wheeler threw down the welcome mat for the nearby preschool when its power failed, so it could resume operations at the remote school.

Relieving Director, Educational Leadership Monica St Baker said the Broken Hill team continued to go above and beyond to support students and their communities.

“Everyone just pitches in to do what they can for their schools and each other,” she said.

“I am very proud of this team, who go over and beyond, and prioritise our students every day, regardless of the natural disaster they are in the midst of.

“Our staff are amazing; what the department achieved in a very short time is remarkable.

“People from all areas worked around the clock to ensure minimal disruption to schools and the education of our students.

“The people in the background should also be acknowledged for their support and dedication to our Far West schools.”