Excitement as life’s new lessons begin

Above left: Jack Christie couldn’t wait for school to begin. The Nar Nar Goon youngster was farewelled by mum Kath and younger brother Sam as he prepared to start a new chapter in life.Above left: Jack Christie couldn’t wait for school to begin. The Nar Nar Goon youngster was farewelled by mum Kath and younger brother Sam as he prepared to start a new chapter in life.

Paul Dunlop
GOING to school for the first time had young Jack Christie jumping for joy.
The Nar Nar Goon lad was one of hundreds of children around the district starting prep this week.
Jack’s mum Kath dropped him off at school yesterday (Tuesday) morning, with Jack resplendent in his new uniform and sun hat.
His proud dad Paul said Jack had been looking forward to the new phase in his life.
“He was very excited,” he said.
Pakenham’s Mitchell Grogan was also counting the days before starting school yesterday.
He is one of the new arrivals at Pakenham Consolidated School.
Mitchell’s mum Sherri said her only son could not wait to get there.
“He’s been jumping off the walls,” she said.
Sherri said Mitchell already had a little friend in the same class and had been through the school as part of preparations last year for the transition from kindergarten to primary school.
“He’s got his lunch box, his new school bag, he’s all set,” she said.
Sherri said her son was unlikely to get too emotional on the first morning but, like many district mums and dads, admitted she might.
“I’m probably the one who’ll have the tears,” she said.
“Dropping my boy off at school, it’s a bit like you’re letting them go out into the world.”
Most schools resumed on Tuesday but for younger classes there was a steadyasshegoes approach to the new year.
Some prep classes begin on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Lakeside Lutheran College at Pakenham opened its doors for the first time today with 50 students enrolled.
The new school will eventually cater for up to 1000 students.