Today is the day when thousands of young children across the north-east start their school journey.
That 9am bell marks the beginning of a whole new world for the latest crop of Primary One pupils.
And it can be just as anxious for parents as for their little ones who cross the threshold into formal education.
The summer holidays are over and while for many it’s a case of ‘back to school’, for others it’s an especially momentous day.
Following in family’s footsteps
One of those entering the school classroom for the very first time is Myles Begg.
The four-year-old joins his new classmates at Kaimhill Primary School in Aberdeen today. His first day is a gentle one, with an afternoon start.
Mum Amanda and Myles’ four siblings have all gone to the same school, so he is very much following in his family’s footsteps at Kaimhill.
His sister Morgan, 23, brother Mikey, 16 and twins Amiee and Danni, 15, all went to Kaimhill.
And now Dad Terry said his youngest is raring to go.
“He is really excited about it,” said Terry. “He’s got quite a lot of friends from nursery so there are a few of them in the same class.
“We’ve got five kids all together so we have been through this before. We have no concerns about him whatsoever – he should be okay for Primary One.
“Myles’ mother works as a cleaner and catering assistant at the school.
“So, we have arranged for Myles’ grandma to drop him off in the afternoon. My wife can go and meet him to take him in.”
‘Counting down the days’
It has been a busy few weeks for Myles, gearing up for the start of school, trying a new uniform for size, sorting his first school bag and pencil case.
Terry said: “We had to go to get his school clothes, shoes and his bag. He kept asking when he starts and this last week he was asking everyday.
“He’s been counting down the days.
“My wife and all of our kids went to Kaimhill and one of the teachers in Primary One had our eldest daughter in Primary One. So we’ve no worries.”
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