All of the teachers present from across NSW took the day off school for 24 hours to advocate for better pay and more time to prepare lessons.

Moss Vale Public School teacher and member and councillor of the Southern Highlands Teacher's Association Committee Penny Colman attended on Tuesday (November 7) and said it was great to unite with other teachers.

"Hopefully the government will listen and understand that if we don't have teachers, students won't have any teachers," she said.

Read more:

"There is the fear of not having teachers because it's already happening across the state."

The NSW Teachers Federation voted unanimously to strike on November 27 after the Perrottet government refused to increase teachers' planning and preparation time outside the classroom.

"Out of the Southern Highlands people that went, half had been to a rally before," Ms Colman said.

She said there were many teachers across the state that were present who protested for the first time.

Ms Colman said it was difficult to determine how many teachers from the Highlands attended because many travelled in different vehicles.

The teacher said others joined other protests if they lived locally in an area.

She also said there was a decline in teachers on the day due to the positive COVID case confirmed at Bowral High School on the same day.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

Did you know the Southern Highland News is now offering breaking news alerts and a daily email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.