School is double the

Twins Elizabeth and Mackenzie Barron are among the Wimmera’s newest prep students ready to start school this year.

Elizabeth and Mackenzie, 5, will attend Natimuk Primary School.

Mackenzie said he was excited to be going to school on the bus.

“We have to be very still on the bus,” he said.

“I have new shoes to wear to school.”

Elizabeth and Mackenzie’s mum,

Sara Barron, said the twins would be two of four students starting school at Natimuk this year.

“They will be in a prep, year-one and year-two class,” she said.

“Their sister, Isla, finished school at Natimuk primary at the end of last year as the only year-six student and now they are starting school there as preps this year. They are excited, but they are also going to a different school than some of their kindergarten friends, so there are mixed feelings.”

The school year begins on January 30 for government schools, with first term to finish on April 6.

Almost 78,000 preps are starting school across the state this year.

The State Government has provided some tips and tricks to prepare for the first day and week of primary school.

While the first day is exciting for parents and children, some prep students might feel sad or anxious about their first day.

The government advises parents to stay in touch with teachers if they are concerned about how their child is settling into school.

Children who have not been around large groups of people before can often become sick when they start school.

More information about starting school and keeping students and families healthy during the year is available online via www.vic.gov.au/ starting-primary-school-guide

2023 Dates

January 30: Term one begins

March 13: Labour Day public holiday

March 15: NAPLAN assessment period for students in years three, five, seven and nine begins

March 27: NAPLAN assessment period ends

April 6: Term one ends

April 7: Good Friday

April 9: Easter Sunday

April 24: Term two begins

April 25: Anzac Day

June 12: King’s Birthday public holiday

June 16: General Achievement Test for students studying a VCE subject

June 23: Term two ends

July 10: Term three begins September 15: Term three ends September 29: AFL Grand Final Eve public holiday

October 2: Term four begins October 24: VCE written examination period begins November 7: Melbourne Cup public holiday

November 15: VCE written examination period ends December 11: VCE results available

December 20: Term four ends

Note: The above are State Government-listed term dates; individual schools may choose to amend this schedule as required. Parents are encouraged to confirm attendance requirements with their school.