The experienced educator has been given the chance to be a key part of this alternative new school.

The Bomaderry based Shoalhaven River College aims to help students who struggle emotionally, mentally or socially in a traditional school environment.

Miss Ikin can't wait for the first day of class on Thursday, February 7.

“It's about not just getting people back into school but back into life and their communities,” she said.

“It's not just a little band-aid solution because we saw they failed at school and so we will tick that schooling thing off - that is not what we are doing.

“We are re-stabilising you (a student) and helping you build resilience, confidence and goal-setting so you can go off and be the best person you can be.

“We want to give students a sense of accomplishment, achievement and then they would be like ‘I could probably do anything’.”

The Shoalhaven River College is an initiative of Kiama Community College Incorporated, which also operates Shoalhaven Community College.

The college is based at a secure site at Mattes Way and the Princes Highway in Bomaderry.

An orientation day will be held on February 4 to give students and parents the chance to see inside the college.

They want to enrol 30 students and as of Tuesday, January 15 had 19 confirmed enrolments with more to come.

The low fee school provides an option for students who would benefit from a small school environment.

The alternative school has a strict criteria for students it aims to help.

Miss  Ikin said interest grew when families heard about the school’s ideals.

“They were so enthusiastic when we talked to them on the phone,” she said

Some parents got emotional when told their child had been accepted into the school.

“When I rang the families to tell them they would be a good fit , there were tears of relief,” she said.

Parents have told Miss Ikin that their children are actually excited about going back to school.

She added some of the students have been disconnected from school.

“We will be creating that environment where they can come back into school, access the curriculum, move forward to their Year 10 Record of School Achievement (ROSA) and towards the HSC.”

The school will cater for years nine and year 10 students with the potential to evolve in the future for years 11 and 12.

Two teachers, a teacher's aid and youth support officer are also members of the staff.

Subjects including English, history, maths and science will be taught, while Ms Ikin will teach the health/physical education component.

Nathan Hiley and Miranda Gibson are the other members of the teaching staff.

Miss Ikin has been an educator for 23 years and most recently was at Nowra East Public School and comes from a behaviour and special education background.

She was also an assistant principal for 17 years and the college is a perfect fit for her.

“I been on staff for four weeks now and I find out something new about it every day and go “oh my God this is so good’,” she said.

Miss Ikin said the Kiama Community College did a great job getting the proposal together for the school and also securing its funding.

The principal is looking forward to making a difference in young people’s lives.

Applications are still open for 2019 and the Shoalhaven River College staff encourages anyone who would like to discuss the suitability of the school for a particular young person to contact them on 4232 1050.