With the addition of five in Kindergarten, this year there are 51 pupils enrolled at the school – only one off being able to hire a third full-time teacher, but principal Jan Rogers said they were “quietly optimistic” they would get there. 

Enrolments have declined a little from last year, however Ms Rogers said the 14 pupils in 2014’s Year 6 was a big year for the school and losing them brought down numbers a bit. 

“Numbers have been falling in all the smaller schools, and that’s just demographics,” she said.

“Children just aren’t in the area.” 

Despite lower numbers, Ms Rogers said the school was still going “really well”.

At Bemboka Public, children are divided into class groups with colours as titles – blue, green and yellow – depending on their learning needs.

For instance, last year a child in Year 3 was working with children in Year 6.

“I think we will eliminate the stigma of kids repeating,” Ms Rogers said. 

“In multi-age classes they can still be in that group of learners and be where they need to be.

“We have always grouped kids fairly creatively in terms of learning needs.” 

A garden was built on the grounds last year, kicking off the Stephanie Alexander Garden Program, which involves the pupils growing vegetables then using them in cooking classes in the school’s kitchen. 

A big event for the Year 6s in March will be the Young Leaders Conference in Sydney.

As the school doesn’t have captains, all of the Year 6s will go as Ms Rogers said they are all leaders.

There is a school choir that last year performed at the SPCA – South East Producers markets, and Ms Rogers hoped to take them back there again, in addition to their annual performance. 

Bemboka Public is also involved with the South Coast Learning Community, and will take part in a performing arts festival with the community in July.