School's sad farewell to the final 11

WITH one teacher, one classroom and 11 students, there's been no need for a bell at this country school. 
 
At Tarpeena Primary, nobody is ever further than yelling distance. There are no shouts and screams as the rabble of recess hits the oval each day.

Nor are there traffic jams as frantic mums line up to collect their charges come 3pm.
Instead, Tarpeena has barely enough students to muster a cricket team.

This week, the tiny school will close its doors for good after the community gave up the battle to keep it open.

They are not the first doors in the timber town to close. Earlier this year, the general store went out of business, leaving the pub as the only trader in town.

In September, a majority of parents voted for the school's closure, choosing instead to send their children to Suttontown Primary, 20km away.     More