Roll rise big boost for tiny school

[1] Paerau School's six pupils (from left)are Daniel Harley (6), Thomas Harding (9), Kaela Harley (7), Skyla Bell (7), Sara Harding (7), and Anoushka Bell (4), hang out together during lunchtime at the school yesterday. Photo by Rosie Manins.

One of Otago's smallest and most isolated schools has a bright future, thanks to a dramatic increase in its roll to six pupils.

Paerau School welcomed former Dunedin resident Martha Bell and her three children to the small Maniototo settlement recently.

Mrs Bell was offered free accommodation at Paerau in return for her children being able to attend the school.

She found it an offer not to be refused, and had nothing but praise for the rural community.

"It gives us hope for the future. I grew up on a small farm and thought it would be lovely for the kids to have a bit of that lifestyle, and they are loving it so far," she said.

Mrs Bell's eldest daughter Skyla (7) will be officially joined at the school by 4-year-old Anoushka when she turns 5 this month.

The two girls have already settled in alongside Daniel (6) and Kaela (7) Harley, and Thomas (9) and Sara (7) Harding, who were at the school last year.

Mrs Bell also plans to send her 15-month-old son Finn to the school when he turns 5.

"I'm pretty keen to keep the children here. We are hoping to acquire some animals and really adopt the lifestyle," she said.

School principal Steve Harley said in his four and a-half years at the school its roll had varied between three and 17 children, from new entrance to year 8.

Paerau School - registered as one of the most isolated in New Zealand - is just over 40km from Ranfurly.

Accessible by one dirt road year-round, it sits at the base of the Rock and Pillar Range and is surrounded by farmland.

Mr Harley said the pupils travelled often, whether on school camps to Wellington or to play sport at other schools.

"The usual worry for small schools is how the pupils do socially, so we interact with other schools as much as we can.

Wherever we go our children are praised for their maturity and behaviour because they're used to having to talk with adults and get on with kids of different ages."

In the classroom, pupils benefitted from more "one-on-one time" than most, which showed in their academic achievement.

"All the kids have their own individual [learning] plans which we co-ordinate with their parents to suit who they are. Academically, they always do really well."

The school comprises a classroom, multipurpose room, library, tennis courts, playground, rugby field, amenities, administration space, and a school house.

"We see ourselves as a community school and the community support here is amazing," Mr Harley said.

He teaches the pupils with the help of release teacher Elizabeth McSkimming, who works two days a week, enabling Mr Harley to focus on administrative matters.

A part-time cleaner and grounds keeper may also be joined by a part-time secretary this year.