Thirteen pupils from a New South Wales primary school are heading back to the classroom three weeks after a catastrophic bushfire swept through their community.

Key points: Many children living in Wytaliba lost both their home and school to a bushfire

Many children living in Wytaliba lost both their home and school to a bushfire As repairs begin, the students have been welcomed at nearby Red Range Public School

As repairs begin, the students have been welcomed at nearby Red Range Public School Rebuilding in time for the new school year is a top priority, the Education Minister says

The tiny village of Wytaliba, 60 kilometres east of Glen Innes, was all but destroyed in the massive blaze, which claimed two victims.

Now, the community of 100 people has begun the difficult task of cleaning up and restoring order to their lives, including the students of Wytaliba Public School.

"A lot of them lived through the firestorm, they know their school's been badly damaged, many students have lost homes," relieving principal Kelly Murphy said.

"Their local landscape is very apocalyptic.

"Many are living in hotels in town."

As well as destroying some 25 homes, the fire caused extensive damage to Wytaliba Public.

While the school is being repaired, the students have been welcomed with open arms at nearby Red Range Public School.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says rebuilding the school in time for next year was top priority. ( ABC News: Cecilia Connell )

Kids faced the flames

Ten-year-old Opal O'Neill recalled her father trying to save the family home.

"I couldn't see the sky anymore, it was all grey smoke and orange everywhere," she said.

"We got all our valuables and got in the car but Dad still wanted to spray the house because he really, really liked that house and that's the house that Kia and I grew up in.

"We drove to Glen Innes and went to the showground there to the evacuation centre.

"We went back to our house a few days later and our house was burnt down."

The students of Wytaliba witnessed first-hand the savage blaze that destroyed their school. ( ABC News: Paige Cockburn )

Fellow classmate, eight-year-old Loki Shultze-Jehne, was lucky to retain his home.

"It was like a huge firestorm, there was big flames up at the front," he said.

"Our house is still standing but our cubby house was nearly destroyed.

"The trampoline just combusted."

New school to be fast-tracked

New South Wales Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said rebuilding the school in time for the new school year was top priority.

"Term one, day one is the goal — that's what we're aiming towards," Ms Mitchell said.

"It's really important that we try and support them to get back to some sense of normality and I think coming to school, even though it's a different school, seems to be helping with that.

"It's pretty clear that they're going to need some more ongoing support, particularly around counselling."

Wytaliba students having some down time. ( ABC News: Cecilia Connell )

Ms Murphy said the children were coping well, despite the upheaval.

"Sometimes they're a bit teary and a bit sensitive but I think they're trying hard to move forward," she said.

"Coming to school and playing with their new friends and being involved in activities has been a good distraction for them."

Students writing a wish list

The Wytaliba students have been shown plans for their new and improved campus.

Nine-year-old Daisy Blairs has already suggested some additions.

"I want to see a permaculture built, this thing where we grew plants," she said.

"I also want the playground to be rebuilt — maybe climbing stuff and a slide."

Wytaliba Public School was gutted by the fire. ( ABC News: Paige Cockburn )

For Opal, space to sit and read is top of the list.

"I want a bigger library," she said.

"I can't wait till it's built so I can see what it will look like."

But some of Loki's ideas have been vetoed.

"A new flying fox, a swimming pool, maybe an arcade room too," he said.