Parents and citizens association secretary Narelle Harris said it was a fantastic early Christmas present to hear that the school would remain open next year.

New South Wales Education Department officials were considering closing the school when student numbers dropped to three earlier this year.

“In term four the numbers significantly increased, to seven, and we’ll have another kindergarten pupil next year,” she said.

“The future is looking very positive, with a healthy playgroup and the promise of the mobile preschool in 2012.

“The community is confident that the school will continue to grow from this temporary setback as it has done many times over the last 90 years.”

Mrs Harris acknowledged the compassion and understanding shown by education director Rob Farley and regional director Robyn McKerihan plus encouragement and support from the state Member for Upper Hunter George Souris and federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon.

“The atmosphere around the school is fantastic, we really are going to have a happy Christmas this year,” Mrs Harris said.

“I am so glad that our centenary plans can continue and we will be here to celebrate 100 years of continuous education for the Milbrodale, Bulga and Howes Valley communities.”

Mrs Harris said, as a small school, Milbrodale was able to support the individual learning needs of students while also providing a diversity of programs.

Milbrodale was the venue this year for two Hunter regional gifted and talented workshops, ran strong literacy, numeracy and welfare programs, was active in the small schools network and had a great relationship with larger schools, enabling it to access specific programs for individual student needs, she said.