Some skipped into the classroom, and others came in nervously clutching Mum’s hand.
No matter how they arrived in the classroom, the Goulburn Valley’s Prep students all settled in for their first day of school.
Amelia Thomas was one of the youngsters starting school at St Luke’s Primary School in Shepparton.
The five-year-old said she was looking forward to doing lots of colouring and playing with Lego at school.
Mum Anna Paul admitted she was “a bit anxious” about her eldest child starting school.
“She’s too grown up,” she said.
However, she said Amelia would be all right at school.
“She’ll be okay, she’s been going to daycare since she was three,” she said.
Five-year-old Emersyn Salau also started Prep at St Luke’s on Monday, January 30, and had been up since 5am, excited about the day ahead.
She said she was most looking forward to playing with new friends.
Her mum, Jess Salau, said Emersyn was excited about school, and she thought her daughter would enjoy her first day.
“I work in childcare so we’re used to the separation,” she said.
At drop-off, it was Emersyn’s younger brother who was doing the crying about leaving his sister behind.
At Gowrie St Primary School in Shepparton, mum Goldah Pedder said both she and her daughter Christine were excited about the five-year-old starting school.
“I reckon she’ll do good,” she said.
Another youngster starting Prep, Amber Jones, 5, said she was looking forward to school, especially playing outside.
Michelle Foley said Amber was the youngest of her five children and the last to start school.
“It’s very exciting (for her),” she said.
“But I’ve been feeling a bit sad.”