Nervous mums and dads watched anxiously as their cute tiny tots were ushered into the KM, KK and KP classrooms at St Nicholas’ Primary School in Tamworth yesterday, searching for the slightest hint of discomfort or unease.

But the majority of children were oblivious to their parents’ concerns and were far more interested in the visual feast before them, that and striking up friendships with their class mates.

Scott and Alison Irving said their son Lachlan was “beside himself” at the thought of starting big school, where older sister Charlotte has been attending for three years now.

“It’s all a bit exciting, there were no tears,” Mrs Irving said.

Mr Irving said: “We went to wake him up and he was already dressed.”

Melissa Simpson, who was farewelling her son Toby, admitted she was a “bit sad” to see her child off, but took comfort in the fact that he was “extremely excited”.

She said younger sister, Eve, would miss his company at home.

“Definitely. She will have no one to fight with now,” she laughed.

Tamworth Public School welcomed six kinder classes yesterday while Carinya kinder students wandered through the school gates on Tuesday.

A number of Tamworth schools, including St Edward’s, South Tamworth Public, Westdale, West Tamworth and Hillvue are not starting their kindergarten students back until Monday.

n Check out our back-to-school gallery at www.northerndailyleader.com.au