The school, 6.5km north of Waikouaiti, has only 13 pupils, who all take a hands-on role looking after the school's farmed animals.
Calves, pigs and chickens have been introduced at the school and proceeds from a successful school fair and auction recently will go towards developing a programme for future stocking of the school farm, along with updating classroom computers.
When the school curriculum was reviewed a few years ago, it gave schools more licence to connect with their local communities in terms of learning. Incorporating elements of the rural sector into teaching and learning programmes was well within the scope of the new curriculum, principal Murray Oats said.
There was "a lot of good teaching stuff" tied up with looking after animals and it gave the children a broader understanding of farmed animals and their welfare.
The school's pupils are on a roster to look after the animals.
The children were very hands-on and loved the experience.
They also picked up many good values as they learned about looking after animals and relating to each other, Mr Oats said.
With a large paddock at the school, there was scope for further farm development. For next year, the children might be hatching eggs and rearing chickens.
The school also has its own garden, which is overseen by the grandfather of one of the pupils.
Another plus was that the local community had become more involved with the school as a result of its rural focus, Mr Oats said.