Starting school strong in 2023

New preps at St Ambrose Primary School in Woodend exploring the garden. (Supplied)

More than a million students started the 2023 school term last week, but for preps heading into primary and year sevens beginning high school in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, it’s a whole new era of learning.

The sun was shining when the excited preps at St Ambrose Primary School made their way onto their campus.

Deputy principal Debbie Geisler said the young pupils began their day with an orientation of the school building, grounds and meeting stuff, with time spent in the school garden which now has a small village of cubby houses.

“This was followed by some creative play in the classroom, getting to know each other and the routines of the classroom,” she said.

And over at Braemar College’s Woodend campus, Grace and Lachlan were a couple of the year sevens beginning their high school journeys.

Grace said she was “so excited” to be starting high school at Braemar.

“There are so many more opportunities to experience and explore learning that is different from primary school,” she said.

Lachlan said it was great to be moving into year seven with students from last year, while “also getting to meet all of the new students as our cohort has doubled in size”.

Grace said she was looking forward in participating in the college’s sport and starting new subjects, and Lachlan was keen for camp, as well as “all new experiences”.

Down at St Anne’s Primary School in Sunbury, Evie, Lucas, Mia and Grayson started their first day of prep.

St Anne’s sustainability leader Jo Hannan said they were “very excited to start big school”.

“They have loved playing on the playground and making new friends,” she said.

Elsie Lange