THE lunchboxes are all but packed, the backpacks are stacked, and for the three sets of twins starting kindy at Our Lady of Lourdes in Tarro next week, they will have a familiar hand to hold as they walk through the gates of "big school" too.
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Students across Newcastle and the Hunter have begun heading back to school.
For Teresa Coleman, of Raworth, Tuesday will mark the first day of school for her youngest children, five-year-old twins Luca and Charlotte.
"I think it's really comforting for them to be together and start together," she said.
"It's a big change for them. They went to pre-school, but big school has a different connotation for them I think.
I think it's really comforting for them to be together and start together.
- Teresa Coleman, mother to five-year-old twins Charlotte and Luca.
"It's nice for us as well, knowing they've got each other to talk to should they encounter something they are not sure of."
The usual orientation program for kindy kids had been modified for schools due to COVID at the end of last year.
"But they are familiar with the school anyway from picking up their big brother," Mrs Coleman said. "They've had a look, met a few of their classmates. We purchased the uniforms, we've tried them on. We did the school shoe shop. We are getting their lunchboxes ready and their bags, they are quite excited.
"They are my babies, but on the flip side, they are ready, and I know they are ready, so I'm really comfortable for them to start and I'm really excited to see what the year brings."
Cheryl Henderson, the school principal at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, said the twins were lucky to have their brother or sister starting school with them.
"It gives them a bit of support emotionally," Mrs Henderson said. "We're really looking to seeing how these little ones manage in their big school."
Kindergarten enrolments had risen by about 60 per cent at the Tarro school since last year.
"That's wonderful for our community and Catholic education," she said. "We care very deeply about our children and we all work very hard to make sure they are confident and comfortable, and their learning is reflected in that."
The pandemic had thrown some big challenges at teachers and students in 2020 as they adjusted and adapted to home-based learning.
"We all hope and pray it will be an easier year, but in many ways, the experiences of last year have prepared us for whatever is to come," Mrs Henderson said. "We feel we can handle anything."
Anita Beaumont
Anita Beaumont is a health and general news reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Anita Beaumont is a health and general news reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
