Tatura Primary School ensured the transition was as smooth as possible for its 200 students by hosting a meet and greet on February 10.
The event featured an informal catch-up, bringing families and staff together for a meal.
“We’ve had a good, solid start to the year,” Tatura Primary School principal Susanne Gill said.
“One of the features was our meet and greet.
“We invited all the families in, and we had a sausage sizzle.
“A couple of school counsellors and parents helped prepare and cook the barbecue.
“We had some ex-students turn up, students that are now in high school.
“It’s always good to see the big brothers and sisters.”
For Foundation students, the transition from kindergarten to primary school is a major milestone.
To make it easier, Tatura Primary School provided them with a special survival bag.
“We give them a little survival bag — it has a tea bag, a bit of chocolate, and tissues,” Ms Gill said.
“It’s the beginning of a huge journey — 13 years of school education.
“They all come in with slightly different levels of school readiness, but it doesn’t take long for them to learn routines and systems at school.”
This year, teacher Lucy Woolard also joined Tatura Primary School.
Ms Woolard has been teaching for eight years, six of them in the Goulburn Valley.
“I spent the last four years at Kyabram P-12 College and just wanted to change,” Ms Woolard said.
Having previously taught Years 1, 2, 3, and 4, she has now taken on Grade 5/6.
“It’s been very interesting seeing all the differences, but I’m enjoying it a lot.”
While it’s too early for Ms Woolard to say which year level is her favourite to teach, she said:
“I love all the different learning you get to do with 5 and 6 that you can’t really do (with other grade levels).
“What I look forward to the most this year is getting to know the class and developing those relationships between the students.
“That’s always been my favourite part, getting to know them really well and asking them questions about themselves and having those conversations.”
Grade 5/6 students have plenty to look forward to this year, including lunchtime clubs, camps and graduation.
In spring, they will head to Ballarat for a three-day camp.
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