At the region's ten local schools new students attended class for the first time last week, including Wytaliba primary school, which has been recently rebuilt.

The region's only high school last year managed one of the most impressive efforts in the state, with results in the top three of NSW adjusted for socio-economic status.

But Glen Innes primary schools have also often overachieved and parents, teachers and students will start this year hoping to beat the drought, and do better than ever before in the region.