Kinder friends take first school step

WHEN St Brigid’s Primary School in Ballan welcomed its foundation pupils for the first time on Wednesday, friends Mackenzie Speakman and Amity Mead were ready for the big step.

They were among tens of thousands of children starting foundation across the state this week.

Friends since kinder, the girls have eased into the move together, sharing play dates and attending the school’s transition days to get a feel for classroom life.

Mackenzie’s mother Tracey said her daughter had been practising at home using her toys to re-create a school day.

“She’s been playing school with her teddies and she’s asked me to be the teacher,” she said.

Amity’s mother Maddison said the preparation helped make the first day less daunting.

“It just gets them familiar for it,” she said. “Just makes them feel more comfortable when they actually go to school”.

Both parents admitted the milestone came with mixed emotions.

“It’s a bit emotional really,” Ms Mead said on Tuesday. “I will probably cry.”

St Brigid’s principal Jayne Bosworth said the school’s 17 foundation pupils had impressed staff during transition days.

“There could be some nerves, and that’s OK; it’s OK to be a little bit nervous, it means we care, for parents and for children,” she said. “But I feel they will settle really well.”

Ms Bosworth encouraged parents to stay positive as their children begin their education journey.

“The children will come home very tired within the first couple of weeks, so when they do come home don’t ask too much about school,” she said.

“There’s a balance there, but really focus on the highlights of each day.”

As for Mackenzie and Amity, their focus was firmly on playtime.

“I like the big slide,” Mackenzie said. “You can go really fast.”