The new children arrived at school in intervals – half at 9.30am and half at 11.30am – to settle into the new environment before joining their older “buddies”. 

Assistant principal Judy Hindmarsh said staggering the arrival times on the first day helped the coordination of their orientation.

“The kindergarten kids have been settling in very well this morning,” she said.

The kinder cohort, all looking excited and confident, then accompanied their buddies from years 5 and 6 into the playground, who helped them adjust to the new setting. Sebastian Burrows, from the Kinder Smiles class, was happy to meet his new buddy from Year 6, Ben Devine. Ben remembered his kindergarten days and said a highlight was time spent with his buddy. 

“My favourite memory of kinder was playing football with my buddy,” Ben said. 

“He’d always pick us up and carry us back to our tryline. It was good to have someone there to talk with and not be scared on the first day of school.”

Ben said his primary school years had gone by quickly and he aimed to make Sebastian’s day a special one – just as Ben’s was in his first day at kindy.

“I plan to show him how to play football,” Ben said. “It’s a strong sport.”

Tahli Thompson, also from Year 6, showed Megan Carr, from Kinder Stars, the excitement of her new school. Tahli said her kindergarten days felt like a long time ago and she was laughing and bonding with Megan within a very short time.

“I’m excited to be a buddy,” Tahli said. “Megan seems to like it here so far. I hope she enjoys school.”