Bega Valley Public School Kindergarten pupils Katelin Krucler and Bailey Douch take in the new surroundings with their respective parents Phil and Michelle.
CHILDREN from across the Bega Valley Shire grabbed their pencil cases and backpacks, said bye to their parents and headed back to the classroom this week.
There may have been a sense of dread or excitement – or for the latest batch of Kindergarten pupils, perhaps a mix of both.
The BDN visited Bega Valley Public School yesterday where the “Kindies” were being introduced to school.
The pupils were taken through some pre-assessment tests and will officially begin their first day at school on Monday.
Katelin Krucler was given her first taste of primary school this week.
She said it was “exciting”, while her dad Phil said “Katelin has been looking forward to it all summer”.
“She has been counting down the days,” Mr Krucler said.
Michelle Douch, of Bega, was bidding farewell to her fourth child Bailey.
Ms Douch said she was going to miss having her son home during the day, but would probably feel more emotional next week.
“Bailey is my fourth and last – it’s very sad, but exciting,” she said.
“It does get harder [each time], but it’s all exciting and we’re looking forward to it.”
Bega Valley Public School teachers Gina Barnes, Maria Caragher and Kathy MacFetters were on hand to introduce Kindergarten pupils this week.
The trio said the one-on-one pre-assessment tests made it easier for the Kindies to find their feet.
The pupils also took part in the Smooth Start program last year, where they were taken on a tour of the school.
Ms Caragher said Kindergarten was very important.
“It sets up their whole school life,” she said.
“It’s like building a house, if you don’t get the foundation right, it’s hard to build it.”