Lots of excitement for first day at school

MANY parents were reluctant to part with their little ones, however thousands of primary students settled into school once again yesterday.

The majority of returners and a few kindergarten kids skipped through the gates of schools across the region, and many more will begin school today.

After a relaxing holiday break, Ryan, Duke and Leticia Peterson of Tamworth West Public School were happy to join their classmates again yesterday.

“The novelty of their Christmas presents has worn off, so the kids were getting quite bored,” their mother said. 

Angus and Jack Toole, and Marcus and James Ryan, jumped out and grabbed their school bags to embark on their first day of the school year.

Kindergarten commencement will be in staggering groups across the region – a number of local schools will welcome kindergarten students today, however others will be doing Best Start assessments to prepare them for their first day on Monday.

Tamworth South Public is one school that will be doing the testing today and tomorrow – the 125 kindergarten students will officially start “big school” on Monday.

Tamworth Public School will open its doors to 123 new faces today – normal teaching began for the remainder of students at the school yesterday. 

For Carinya Christian School it was a full house yesterday and it is already in full swing for 2013. Principal Grahame Smith said having everyone return at once, instead of staggering the classes, seemed to work best for the school, as all families and siblings could begin their school year on the same day.

“It was really great for kindy to Year 12 to have a brief assembly at the beginning of the year and get a nice sense of community amongst the students,” Mr Smith said.

Calrossy Anglican School also filled up across all campuses.

Head of primary Robert Black said the new ones showed no signs of nervousness.

“They were all very excited and happy to be here,” Mr Black said.

“There were no tears coming from the children – it was only the mums who had tears as they said goodbye.”

Other primary schools that also started teaching for all students yesterday included Timbumburi Public School and Bullimbal School for Special Purposes. 

Timbumburi Public School relieving principal Andrew McDonald said the first day was “smooth sailing” for the 20 kindergarten children who joined the student population of 125.

For Somerton Public School, its 13 returners attended school yesterday. This year’s kindergarteners will consist of three kids, who will arrive tomorrow. Principal Jodie Bishop said the small size meant the school felt like a “family” and the new children would feel a part of this.