With two campuses, Carol Avenue and Albert Street, the public school has seen a marked increase in student enrolments in recent years.

MSC Carol Avenue principal Paula Barton said enrolments had increased by about 30 per cent since last year, beating out other schools in the New England-North West region, including those in Tamworth and Armidale.

Carol Avenue campus had the highest growth rate, with Albert Street coming a close second, she said.

Albert Street principal Geoff Robinson said the increase in student numbers showed the community was taking notice of the resources available in the public education system.

Mr Robinson also pointed to the school’s involvement with community activities as being an incentive to students.

NSW Department of Education and Training, New England regional director Jim White said it was surprising to see such a significant increase in student numbers for a school in a regional community.

“The community is getting behind local schools,” Mr White said.

Carol Avenue campus teaches children from Years 7 to 9, while Albert Street continues students’ education from Year 10 through to Year 12.

For 2010, Albert Street had 218 enrolled students, while Carol Avenue had 294, for a total of 512.

Mrs Barton said 105 students in Year 7 were enrolled for the 2010 school year, with 115 already enrolled for 2011.

She said the Carol Avenue campus conservatively estimated 300 student enrolments for next year.

In 2009, Moree Secondary College had a total enrolment of 397.

“The children recognise they’re part of a happening place,” Mrs Barton said.