A fresh crop of Wimmera-Mallee and Western District students will get their first taste of school life when they walk through gates for the start of 2022’s first term on January 31.

School starts for most with a prep year with a vast range of emotions for families as well as children.

Little Bonnie Werner, 5, daughter of Carly and Aaron Werner, is approaching the first day of school with anticipation and excitement.

Bonnie is preparing to join classmates at Horsham Primary School 298 campus and ‘can’t wait’.

“I’m very excited about making new friends and looking forward to meeting my teacher Miss Schmidt in Prep A. I also have a lot of my friends going to 298 as well,” she said.

Her mum Carly said it was hard to believe Bonnie had already reached school age.

“But she’s more than ready and as a parent it is also exciting,” she said.

“In starting schooling she becomes a little more independent and I think she will really thrive.

“Because I know she’s ready, as a parent it makes it a lot easier. 

“I think her brother Louis, 2, will probably notice the difference the most.”

Horsham Primary School principal Chris Walter said everyone at the school’s Rasmussen and 298 campuses were also looking forward to the year.

“We’re very excited to start another school year and meeting many new families who have students starting schooling in prep, or new families in the area with children joining school at various year levels,” he said.

“The start of a school year is all about new teachers, new classrooms, new classmates and getting to know everyone. 

“From there it becomes about re-establishing routines and getting ready to make some serious learning progress throughout the year.”

Mr Walter, who has also spent the past year in a senior regional role, added that all schools, teachers, parents and students across the region would be busy with preparations.

“The key is to have everything in place so students can get off to the best start possible,” he said.

“At Horsham Primary School both campuses are ready to go. 

“We have many new teachers and we’re looking forward to them joining our team. We’re looking forward to the year ahead.

“We have healthy prep enrolments at both Rasmussen Road and Horsham 298 campuses.”

First term for Victorian public schools runs from January 28 to April 8.

Second term is from April 26 to June 24, term three July 11 to September 16 and term four, October 3 to December 20.

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