Christmas Hills Primary School has only 19 students

They call their teachers by first name, are treated as equals, don’t have to wear a uniform and learn in two mixed-age classrooms — and the 19 pupils at this tiny primary school on Melbourne’s outskirts are reaping the benefits.

Thirteen of Christmas Hills Primary School’s 19 students. Picture: James Ross

Tucked away in isolated bushland, Christmas Hills Primary School is one of greater Melbourne’s smallest schools.

In fact, its 2019 enrolment consists of just 19 students split across two multi-age classrooms.

The school has three teachers for the two classes, broken into prep to Year Two, and Year Three to Year Six, as well as Acting Principal Jacqui Abrahams, who steps in to run a couple of periods a week.

The school was built in 1878 and at its smallest taught 15 students, yet parents said the small cohort didn't mean the children missed out.

Ms Abrahams said the school used its “natural, beautiful setting” to support unique learning opportunities.

“We focus on building curiosity for children to be lifelong learners,” she said.

Christmas Hills Primary School students Hazel, Jude, Kael and Emily are benefiting from the school’s small size. Picture: James Ross

Bronwyn Woods said she chose the school for her two young boys, Rupert and Clancy, after touring five others.

She said Christmas Hills Primary was the last one on the list and she had just wanted to “tick it off” but within five minutes, decided it was the perfect school for her sons.

“I love the nurturing environment and the boys are encouraged to explore things,” Ms Wood said.

“And because its such a small cohort they get the help they need if they're struggling.”

Recent data has revealed which Victorian schools are overcrowded and under resourced, where the largest student cohort had 22 pupils for every teacher.

The school community is very tight knit and Ms Woods said the parents had a Whatsapp chat group to help each other out with transport or after-school care.

“The kids are able to be themselves and the school teaches them full acceptance of what they like, regardless of gender or social stereotype and gives the kids the ability to just be themselves,” she said.

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Ms Abrahams said students were treated as equals.

“We are a first-name basis school and we’re really committed to supporting the individual child, we’re a bit like an extended family here,” she said.

The school has only five buildings — two classrooms, a library, art room and theatre.

For enrolment inquiries phone [phone].