OFF TO SCHOOL

2 February 2010

RYAN REYNOLDS AND MARK ROBINSON

LAST hugs were given and even a few tears were shed as the regions prep students went to school for the first time yesterday.

Dressed in oversized school clothes and carrying backpacks just as big as their bodies, the fresh-faced children brought life into the playground that had been dead for the past two months.

Throughout the district, prep enrolments were varied as some schools doubled their intake while others were down on last year’s.

St Mary’s Primary School welcomed 27 preps into their classroom, about average for the school.

“The children are ready to take the next step into school,” deputy principal Angela Hutchinson said.

This year’s intake of preps will be the last at the schools current location.

Next year St Mary’s will be based near to Monivae College on Ballarat Rd.

First work on the site is expected to start within the next few weeks.

Coleraine Primary School has introduced a program called tears and tissues for parents who have a child starting their first day of school.

The program is designed to limit any anxiety a parent may have about letting their child go.

Parents chat with each other and Principal Shirley Gregory over a morning tea.

“We just have a chat with parents and talk about any issues they may have with their child starting his/her first day of school,” she said.

Macarthur Primary School principal Lynn Lyles welcomed eight new students to the school

“The numbers are about what we normally have every year,” she said.

“It is a small community so everyone will fit in well.

“So far all the new students have settled in well and now we are looking forward to another great year.”

Gray St Primary School principal Helen Freeman was also starting her first day.

The former Albany Rise Primary School principal, which is located in Melbourne has replaced Dean Clements as principal.

“I have had the best morning, the students are absolutely delightful,” she said.

“They are all excited and look wonderful in their school uniform.

“I am really looking forward to adding a new pair of eyes to the school.”

This week will be a settling in period for the districts smallest primary school members.

To make the transition easier, many schools have put in place a transition program.

The transition period usually runs for two to four days and is held during the year before preps start school.

“The transition program was run last year and it allows the students to get used to everything,” Mrs Freeman said.

“When they come on their first day it makes it less daunting as they know the staff and their classroom and their classmates.”

It was a quiet day for Coleraine St Joseph’s principal Paul Delahunty who welcomed just one prep student to the school.

In Penshurst Primary School it was even quieter with no new prep students starting

“We had three start last year, but it was a pretty quiet morning with no new prep students starting,” principal Fiona Herman said.

“Having no preps starting today was expected.

“There will be some more students coming halfway through the year when a family moves into the town.”