For some, it was bittersweet; for others, a day of excitement.
But for the Cobram Anglican Grammar School Preps and their parents, Tuesday, January 30, was a milestone event.
The first day of school saw many excited faces, matched equally by the beaming pride of parents.
For young Wyatt Donelly, the anticipation of making new friends was what he most looked forward to for his first day at school.
As Wyatt slung on his bag outside the school gates, mother Jemma Castledine couldn’t be prouder.
“I’m really excited,” she said.
“I look at him and think he’s too young to go, but I am over the moon and can’t stop smiling.”
Similar sentiments were felt at the CAGS Parents and Friends Group morning tea, where new parents met each other.
Terry Keane was proud his daughter Kylie was taking her big step into school with confidence, saying she was excited and happy to be with her friends.
Mr Keane said preparing his child to be away from the family wasn’t problematic, as she had spent the last two years at Trikki Kidz, and said he looked forward to seeing her grow.
“I look forward to seeing her mature and grow up and learn a lot,” he said.
For her part, Kylie couldn’t see herself anywhere else but school.
“I’m happy,” she said.
Like most kids her age, Kylie is focused on learning and playing with her friends.
“I want to go to the playground and play hide-and-seek,” she said.
Similar thoughts were voiced by Prep student Elijah Goldsworthy, who, while playing with playdough in class, said he looked forward to playing in the playground.
His mother, Alyse Connolly, said the day was bittersweet.
“It’s exciting but a little bit sad,” she said.
CAGS principal Keith Willett joined the parents at the morning tea, where he welcomed them and promised that the school and staff would do their utmost to ensure the students had the best learning experience possible.
Talking after the tea, Mr Willett, who had gone round to each Prep class to see how the students were settling in, said the new Preps looked magnificent in their new classrooms and that the staff looked forward to seeing them develop in their learning and become fantastic citizens.
“They’re a wonderful young group of people, and we’re really looking forward to having them at our school,” Mr Willett said.