Revealed: Victoria’s smallest schools deliver big benefits
These schools have just a handful of students each, but teachers and families say it’s critical their doors stay open. See the full list.
Private tennis lessons, one-on-one teacher support, strong academic results, ski trips and camps to Tasmania – you could be forgiven for thinking this was a high-end private college, not the tiny Merino Consolidated School with just six students.
The little primary school between Hamilton and Casterton is just one of many small schools dotted throughout the state punching above their weight not just academically but for student wellbeing, extension opportunities, life skills and hands-on learning.
Principal Genevieve Hulin says the enormous benefits of a small class size and high teacher-student ratio cannot be overstated.
“We individualise everything,” Ms Hulin said.
“Lots of schools say they do that, but they can’t do it to the degree we do.
“We have students who have certain sport or art interests and we can adapt the curriculum just for them.”
The level of engagement was second-to-none; activities could be easily tailored or altered for individual learning needs; and there was no waiting around for a big class group to catch up, she said.
Merino Consolidated had a student among NAPLAN high achievers and both its Grade 6 students last year received scholarships to high school.
“All our students are working above their year level in some way,” Ms Hulin said.
“As soon as they master a subject they can move on. They are very independent and in charge of their own learning.”
GOALS IN REACH: MERINO CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
As with many small country schools, Merino faces declining enrolments but while Ms Hulin acknowledged the ongoing challenge, she didn’t dwell on it.
“I don’t think about numbers in a negative way. I just want to provide the best outcomes for the students that are in front of me each and every day,” she said.
“To me, success is students achieving their individual and social and emotional goals. If that is happening, that is a sign of a successful school.”
Lack of social interaction was often touted as a reason to move children to bigger schools. Concern kids would struggle transitioning to high school was another, but neither stacked up, Ms Hulin said.
Cluster days, incursions, excursions, community connection with local clubs and groups, shared meals and inter-school transition programs provided opportunities for students to engage with others across all ages and build resilience.
Parent, grandparent and community involvement with the school, as well as children interacting across year levels, created a family-like environment.
“Academically they thrive because we take such good care of their wellbeing,” Ms Hulin said.
“A happy child learns better. They can go over and beyond their academic ability because they feel seen and heard.”
VICTORIA’S SMALLEST ENROLMENT SCHOOLS IN 2023
Devenish Primary, 1 student
Ultima Primary, 2 students
Dhurringile Primary, 3 students
Natte Yallock Primary, 3 students
Bealiba Primary, 4 students
Langley Primary, 4 students
Rawson Primary, 4 students
Panmure Primary, 4 students
Winton Primary, 4 students
Edi Upper Primary, 5 students
Carlisle River Primary, 6 students
Leitchville Primary, 6 students
Merino Consolidated, 6 students
Yering Primary, 6 students
Trawalla Primary, 6 students
Hoddles Creek Primary, 7 students
Marnoo Primary, 7 students
Perseverance Primary, 7 students
Stanhope Primary, 7 students
STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO: NATTE YALLOCK PRIMARY
Natte Yallock Primary School, between Avoca and Maryborough, has only three students but remarkably, two teachers.
Principal Soraya Hepburn said the level of education the three students received was “exceptional” as individual student needs were targeted.
“The students are constantly being extended. We know exactly where they are at because they have one-on-one attention,” Ms Hepburn said.
They met with five other cluster schools fortnightly, went on snow camps and learnt musical instruments.
“These kids have all the opportunities that other children from any other school would have, and often more,” she said.
The Department of Education and Training had been supportive with little talk of closure.
“The department can see that we do make a difference to these students’ lives and the work we are doing is important even though we don’t have many children here,” Ms Hepburn said.
“Often the biggest impact on enrolments is that social aspect where families are worried their kids won’t have someone to play with or they’ll be in the same class as a sibling,” Ms Hepburn said.
“But we work with other schools regularly so kids can interact and build friendships with other people, and we get creative in our approaches like using technology to enable kids to work with other schools in reading groups.”
A common thread in tiny schools was the bond with families and wider community.
“The relationships you build are so special. You know your kids inside out. You know families. You know the community. The partnerships are wonderful and we value them all,” Ms Hepburn said.
Parent and local cropping and livestock farmer Lucy Zimmer has two boys at Natte Yallock. She hopes her kinder-aged daughter will attend the school too, in time.
“I love our little school,” she said.
“The boys get so much more structure and one-on-one time in their learning. There is a social aspect they miss out on day-to-day but we make up for that going to cluster days and other activities throughout the year.
“We are a farm-orientated community so to keep those younger generations here we need to keep our school open and close by.”
FUNDING BOOST: SEASPRAY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Minister for Education Ben Carroll said a significant amount of funding had been allocated to some of the state’s smallest schools this year.
The School Administration Support Hub and Small Schools Programs were established to help reduce admin burdens and free up school staff, particularly teaching principals, to lead and teach.
“Every child deserves the very best education wherever they live in Victoria and whatever school they go to – and we’re proud to provide a range of targeted financial support and other assistance to support our smallest country schools,” he said.
There are just seven students remaining at Seaspray Primary School in Gippsland with several families having moved away to find work or housing in the past few years.
Acting principal Rebecca Plunkett said the school community was working hard to support possible future enrolments, including offering a school bus to transport students from Sale. There was also an active Facebook page to promote student experiences.
Ms Plunkett said students loved the school because there was no bullying, it was one big friendship group, and they had more help, excursions and opportunities.
“Small schools have a wonderful community feel and students become very close,” she said.
High staff ratios meant there was reduced behaviour management, and more one-on-one time with students.
SAVED BY THE BELL: MITTA MITTA PRIMARY
Mitta Mitta Primary School in the Victoria’s North East can provide hope for small schools struggling to keep the doors open, having clawed its way back from four enrolments to 12 in the past eight years.
Penshurst, Talgarno, Taradale, Upper Sandy Creek and Queenscliff Primary Schools have also had healthy boosts to student numbers.
Mitta Mitta principal and teacher Michael McBrien said strong community and family engagement, flexible and tailored learning were a drawcard for the school – but he lamented there was no magic solution for increasing enrolments.
Remote, rural areas often had an ageing and transient population depending on work opportunities. Attracting young families was challenging.
“Our increase (in enrolments) is mostly from generational change in farming families,” Michael said.
“If you can stay open, opportunities can arise but once schools close it is hard to reopen them.”
Schools had the ability to drive change and momentum in rural communities.
“We are the beating heart of the community,” Ms Hulin said.
“When people see the school out and about, they want to stop and chat and wave hello. They want to ask where you are going and what you are doing. Schools are a beacon to give hope to the community.”
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