All students were allowed to return to Panmure Primary School on Tuesday after coronavirus restrictions were eased by the state government.
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Principal Mark Antonio said the school, which only had 14 students, had applied for special permission to allow it to reopen the school for all grades.
"Otherwise we would have had three students coming back and we would have been teaching 11 remotely," Mr Antonio said.
He said families were pleased they could send all their children back at the same time.
"It makes it hard if you have to get one student ready for school and you've got two at home," he said.
Mr Antonio said remote learning had been challenging for both teachers and students.
"We're excited to have them back because we are a bit sick and tired of remote learning," he said.
"It's a lot more work."
In addition to that, he said face-to-face learning was more effective.
"It will be better for the kids - not just academically but socially as well," Mr Antonio said.
He said the coronavirus restrictions had been the biggest challenge during his 35 year teaching career.
Mr Antonio said the school was adhering to the state government's strict guidelines and students would be reminded regularly to use hand sanitizer.
"Some schools have been closed for short periods due to bushfires, but not the whole state or the whole country," he said.
"There's never been anything even remotely like this."
Grade three student Harry Wiffrie, 8, said he was pleased to be back.
"I've missed seeing all my friends," he said.
At other south-west schools, students in prep, grade 1 and two and VCE students returned to classrooms.
All students are expected to return to schools on Tuesday, June 9.
All schools are asked to implement social distancing measures for their staff and extra cleaning will be undertaken.
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