STRONG prep enrolments have been recorded across schools in the Loddon Shire.
Boort District School and St Mary’s Catholic School Inglewood have their largest intake in five years.
Among students starting their school journey at St Mary’s are twins Alex and Chantal Khalil.
“We have a total enrolment of 17 this year and expect that to continue growing in the next few years,” said principal Steve O’Shannessy.
St Mary’s is the only non-government school in the Loddon Shire after the closure of St Patrick’s Pyramid Hill last year.
There are again double-digit enrolments at East Loddon P12 College and Wedderburn College.
Wedderburn principal Danny Forrest said the school’s overall enrolment continued to climb, this year reaching 210. Four years ago it was 180.
New primary staff at the school include Grace Lockhart and Harry Campbell with  Michael Watson and  Anuska Mediwaththe in the secondary levels.
Bridgewater Primary School that three years ago had dropped to less than 10 students, continues to see enrolments increase with 17 students this year. The increase has seen teaching staff increase. Among them is Madeline Langley who was in a support role last year but is now one of the school’s teachers.
Police and schools have urged Loddon residents to obey school speed zones and to slow down at crossings in towns.