For some parents, the first day of Prep can be nerve-racking. For others, it’s a day to celebrate some freedom.
For Benalla’s Lianna and Jesse Ramage, four-year-old Imogen’s first day at St Joseph’s Primary was something she was excited about.
While Lianna shared in that excitement, as the day went on, it took self-control to not pop her head over the fence to check on Immy.
“I work across the road at FCJ College,” Lianna said.
“So it would be very easy to duck away and check on her.
“But the really nice thing is five of us here at FCJ have kids starting Prep today at St Joey’s.
“So we can all go over at the end of the day to pick them up together.”
Lianna said she was in a bit of shock that this day had come around already.
“It goes so fast,” she said.
“It’s crazy how quickly the time seems to disappear.
“Especially having two years of COVID mixed in there.
“She spent a lot more time at home, and now she’s off being a bit independent.”
Lianna said Immy had always been a confident girl, but it was still a nice feeling to see her arrive at school and immediately find her friends, running off to play together.
“We felt she was ready for prep,” Lianna said.
“She went to Ride Avenue (pre-school) and had her group of friends.
“Quite a few are at St Joey’s now, so she knew some of the other kids.
“I asked her this morning what she expected to learn on her first day.
“She said, ‘I don’t know? I’ll have to wait until I get there.’
“But she was very excited to meet her new teacher.”
Lianna said that was a big moment for Immy and herself.
“Having those positive connections is part of what makes the whole school experience so memorable,” she said.
Lianna said the beauty of a town such as Benalla was there were other children and parents who they knew from different parents’ groups.
“We did Tomorrow Today’s PEEP program, for example,” she said.
“So she’s very lucky to have all these connections already.”
When asked if she expected a happy or teary pickup at the end of the day, Lianna said it could be worse.
“She might not want to leave,” she said.
“The big problem might be getting her off school grounds.”