There will be plenty of smiling faces, and probably a few tears, as students start the 2022 school year this week.
The first students head back to the classroom on Monday, but each individual school throughout the Goulburn Valley has nominated different days throughout the week for the return to school.
Among the youngsters to start school for the first time this week is Violet Mollison, who will head to school at Bourchier Street Primary School on Wednesday.
Violet, 5, is looking forward to starting Foundation this year and has been counting down the sleeps.
When asked what she thought she would do at school, Violet replied “schoolwork”.
However, the things she said she was looking forward to most were “going on the playground” and “playing with the doll house”.
Violet will have an advantage over most of her classmates in that both her parents — Matthew and Lara Mollison — are both teachers at the school and will be close by during the school day.
Older sister Kenzie is also in Grade 4 at Bourchier Street.
Mrs Mollison said it would be good to have Violet at the same school where she works.
“It’ll be nice to keep a close eye on her,” she said.
“I’ll be able to pop my head in (to the classroom).
“A lot of parents don’t get the chance to enter the classroom.”
Mr Mollison said he thought Violet would find it comforting, having her parents at the school too.
“When they’re young they think it’s cool,” he said.
“When they get a bit older they don’t though.”
Mr Mollison said his daughter was ready to start school.
“I think she needs it,” he said.
“I hope it tires her out so she’s not waking us all night.
“I think it’s exciting, seeing her come to school and seeing how she goes.”
Mrs Mollison said Violet was “definitely ready” for school.
“All she wants to do is sit at the table and draw and write,” she said.
Asked about whether she thought there would be any tears on the first day, Mrs Mollison didn’t think there would be any from Violet.
As for from herself as Violet’s mum?
“I haven’t had time to think about it,” she said.
“I’m organised to start, but I don’t know how I’ll be emotionally.”