There were huge smiles, a few tears and lots of anticipation at Kotara South Public School on Wednesday as the 2020 Kindergarten class arrived for their first day of big school.
Principal Sue Maxworthy said the school's newest pupils had spent the past six months in a playgroup to help their transition into full-time education.
"The program is specially designed for the new kindergarten children, their parents and siblings to come along each week and learn about this school," she said.
"There were only tears of joy from parents as our kinders embarked on the first day of their 13 years of public education.
"It's their first day learning that school is a happy, safe place that brings joy, learning and connection to their community."
Mrs Maxworthy said children also made lifetime friends through the Kinder and Year 5 buddy program.
"When our Year 6 students go into Year 7, their buddies are in senior school at Kotara High, and they link up.
"It's a really lovely thing."
Mrs Maxworthy said Kotara South's enrollments were growing, with 350 children enrolled in 2020.
"We have children enrolling from as far away as America because our town is attracting workers globally," she said.
"They're choosing suburbs like Kotara South because of what's on offer.
"It's a well-placed, safe suburb and there is still quite a lot of growth.
"There's also been an increase in new units built on housing blocks which brings young families to our suburb.
"There are eight schools that feed into Kotara High and they're all focused on educating students who are equipped with the skills needed to take on an exciting future."
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