While hundreds of South Canterbury children will return to the classroom next week, for the latest crop of five year olds, the new term marks the beginning of a new life stage.
Preparing for his first year at Geraldine Primary School is Liam Gillies, who will be joining his uncle Lucas, 6, and aunty Charlotte, 10, who are also pupils at the school.
On the other side of Mount Michael, best friends Lily Callaghan and Olive Jamieson will begin at Fairlie Primary School.
Liam was most excited about ‘‘running around’’.
As for his teacher: ‘‘Is Mrs Fisher good at fishing?’’.
‘‘I think she will fish a whale shark.’’ He said he was a fan of whale sharks and ‘‘swordfishes’’. He also enjoyed robots, Minecraft and watching his father doing bombs in the pool.
His mother Holly Dungey said she did not think she would cry when she took him to school on the first day.
‘‘I’m just really excited. He’s so full of energy, he’ll love it there.’’
However, she did feel sad he was growing up. Liam had one thing to say to the staff and pupils at Geraldine Primary School: ‘‘look out, the giant’s coming!’’.
After her fifth birthday on New Year’s Eve, Lily has been waiting patiently for school to begin.
The oldest of three children, she said she did not know about going to school.
However, her mum Rachel Callaghan said her daughter was excited.
She felt her daughter beginning school with her best friend would help.
Best friend Olive, 5, is the youngest of two, and her mother, Hannah Jamieson, said she was well and truly ready for school. ‘‘She’s super excited.’’
