DESPITE only three senior students and four Reception students reportedly enrolling at Tantanoola Primary School in 2020, the 136-year-old facility will remain open.
The school sought feedback last month from its parent community on whether to shut its doors following a rapid decline in enrolment numbers.
A ballot process showed a majority of parents, caregivers and community members wanted the school to remain open.
School governing council chairperson Colleen Roberts, who has had all of her children attend Tantanoola Primary, decided to take action when the school’s future was in doubt.
Ms Roberts circulated a petition throughout Tantanoola and received approximately 300 signatures of support.
“I believe and a lot of people here believe that if the school closes, the businesses will suffer,” Ms Roberts said.
“The post office, the servo, the hotel, Holla-Fresh and farms – jobs will start to go.
“With the school here, the town is more attractive to potential employers and the value of our houses are not affected.”
Ms Roberts still has one child at Tantanoola Primary and said all of her children have received a good education at the facility.
“My three sons have all secured apprenticeships while my 16-year-old daughter is doing well at high school.”
A bus comes by her house to take her daughter to Millicent High School, but she said that if Tantanoola Primary was to close then she would have to drive her primary aged child all the way to Millicent and back.
Like many other families, Ms Roberts does not live in the town of Tantanoola, but on a farm 18km away.
“I would like to thank the community for getting behind us,” Ms Roberts said.
“It was amazing, the number of people who have a connection with the school.
“I am very happy the school is staying open.”
Over the last five years, enrolment numbers have slipped to 13 students.
The school currently employs a principal, one full time teacher, one part time teacher and four school service officers (SSOs), whose weekly on-site hours range from three to 14.
Tantanoola Primary School principal Lesley Okholm and the Education Department were contacted for comment.
