The faces of AUSTRALIA'S SMALLEST SCHOOL!

THIS REMOTE SCHOOL HAS A MIGHTY BIG FUTURE

- Megan Rowe

It might be one of Australia’s smallest schools, but there is no shortage of smiles at Jerdacuttup Primary. With just six students enrolled in 2025, aged between six and nine, the school’s population is one of the smallest in its 61-year history.

Some days, there are more staff than pupils. But principal Geoff Kustka insists the school remains the hub of the community.

“It’s such a welcoming community here and they are great to work with,” Geoff tells New Idea.

“We have so much space and so few students that we are able to implement new ideas and programs easily. This is of great benefit to the students.”

The rural town of Jerdacuttup is situated 150 kilometres west of Esperance, WA. With a population of 183 in 2021, the town has faced a sharp decline in residents – which the school has felt too. Just a decade earlier, the Jerdacuttup Primary had 19 students and four teachers.