Bega High School’s Year 7 started their first day on Wednesday, where all 128 of them were taken to their first classes.

Ex-Mumbulla School students Meabh Perry-Britton and Molly Ryan were among those entering Year 7, and both said they looked forward to the year to come.

Meabh was excited to learn maths, and her other interests included textiles, metalwork and woodwork, while Molly said she was looking forward to doing art and she also enjoyed cooking.

Molly was “a little” nervous about starting at her new school, but Meabh had no worries as her older sister attends the school and her parents are on the staff.

“My whole family goes here now, including my Mum and Dad,” she said.

The two girls had a few friends from their Year 6 class who had started at Bega High with them, but they had begun talking to kids from other schools as well as some from Year 8.

Year advisor for Year 7 Don Green welcomed all the new students to the school on Wednesday.

“We’re really excited to have this group here,” he said.

“It’s a large cohort this year.

“Although we have had some technical problems [today], these guys have responded really well and started their school year in exceptionally good spirits.” 

He said students had come from all public schools in the area, as well as from other places across NSW as well.

“That reflects the standing of Bega High in the area,” he said.

“It’s a great place to send your kids.” 

BEGA High School is looking forward to a bright new year, despite no new principal being appointed.

“No move will be made on replacing the principal this year,” the school’s relieving principal Linda Thurston said. 

Around 880 students enrolled at Bega High for 2015, which is on par with last year, however Ms Thurston said numbers have been decreasing over the past few years, possibly due to demographics. 

Changes at the school include the addition of Mika Appleton to the English and Drama departments, the appointment of Doug Whitaker as head of English, and the installation of a couple of other teachers on temporary engagements.

Alana Coates came from Bombala to teach in the HSIE department, and Ruth Clark will be spending a year teaching Food Technology and Visual Arts.

Partnerships with the South Coast Learning Community mean the school will have a music camp, performing arts festival as well as a combined school development day.

The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy will be held in May, and NAIDOC Week will be around June 22. 

There are also structural improvements being made at the school. 

“The school is continuing to undergo upgrading and refurbishing,” Ms Thurston said. 

“This year the roof has been replaced.”