But there’s always that special group of parents for whom the first day is an entirely new experience. Those sending their first child off for that first day at their first school.

Maggie Smith is five. She’s starting at Emmaus Catholic Primary School in Mount Clear.

When asked what she’s looking forward to about school, she gives an answer that will make teachers very happy, and somewhat relieved.

“Learning.” 

Maggie’s mother Rachel says her daughter had ‘butterflies in her stomach’ in the car trip to the school, but they seem to have escaped by the time we meet her. Not so much for Rachel.

“It’s a bit nerve-wracking for every parent. Maggie’s certainly ready to go. It’s a good thing to know that they've got the confidence to start school. It’s a period of transition for any family, so you look at the uniform and the routines, all the things we need to have ready for learning. It’s a wonderful experience, the orientation and becoming part of a new community.”

Ms Smith says it is a wrench to let Maggie head off into the next stage of her life.

“It certainly is. I was going to avoid that side of it. It’s certainly a bit of an emotional learning curve, sending your first child off to school and becoming a school mum, putting your trust into other people’s hands, that they’ll take care of your child and make her feel welcome. It is tough, a tough gig as a parent. We’ve felt very welcome, that all of our needs have been met and that we can ask questions.”

So does Rachel remember her first day at school? 

“I do remember, and it’s funny because I remember things like the new uniform and the school bag and I remember being a bit nervous; but I think it was probably 10 minutes in and I was having a lot of fun!”

For Maggie, she seems quite confident about making a start on her education. She knows her friend Lily Eileen is also starting, and she’s done the hard preparation work at pre-school.

“I learned colouring-in.”

Send us pictures of your child heading off for their first day at school. Visit www.facebook.com/theballaratcourier or patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au