Uniform too big; a wide brimmed hat; shoes shining; my smile beaming – getting the customary photo by Mum against the wall on my first day.

A little girl like me was crying and I took her hand and we walked into the school yard together, 76 years on we are still friends.

I can’t remember my first day. I remember my year 3 lunch times helping the school librarian, and year 4 and year 7 lunch times helping in the preschool because my brothers were there. My favourite first day for my kids was that cuddle and smile when they came home excited.

Meeting all the new friends,hearing all the different dialects and languages.Meeting all the new teachers for our different subjects that we’ll be learning.

I was bit scared but new friends make my self happy & warm welcome. lots of ply with friends & meeting new teachers stay in mind all the time. I did lots of fun activities in first day of class.

NOT BEING LEFT BEHIND WHEN MY BROTHER GOT TO GO TO SCHOOL WITH FRIENDS.

I came to Australia in 1949 and my first ever school was at West Sale Migrant Centre in 1950, I was 7, put me in Grade 3 as I looked older. I spoke 5 languages including English. Walked to school, drank milk which I loved, and was eager to learn everything. Simply loved school. In photo am in dark skirt.

Receiving pocket money for the very first time and its amazing what 40 cents bought me back then..

I remember running into the classroom thinking how amazing it was going to be and wondering why some kids outside were crying for their mummies when school was going to be so much fun.

Having brand new, sharp Derwent pencils all of my own!!! I loved using them for the first time!

A gawdy green school uniform and mum happily taking photos

Getting into my school dress and my black polished shoes and proudly smiling while mum went crazy with the camera

My favourite memory of school was when I won the spelling competition in my class!

I think the memory sticks with my poor Mum rather than me. My Mum had to peel me off her legs to get me in the classroom, kicking and screaming.

I remember being so proud I was going to big girl school. I walked in hand in hand with my twin (I was the more outgoing one and always protected her) and my parents were fussing and worrying and I turned to them and said “don’t worry I got this” and ran off dragging my sister behind me.

My big sister holding my hand and walking me to my classroom because I was a little scared, then my neighbour/best friend coming running up, grabbing my hands and saying “it’s going to be all good, we got this”

I remember I was getting up quite excited because my big brother was already there and school. I remember getting all dressed up in that bloody outfit. My mother took me along to school and I remember that all these kids were crying because it was their first experience of being away from their mothers.

To old to remember a lot but l do remember hiding under the school desk because the teacher wouldn’t let me go home. I stayed there for hours but finally came out because the other kids seemed to be having fun. Imagine teachers letting you stay there now.

We didn’t have much money when we were kids so I remember being so excited when I saw all the toys that I could play with. I didn’t know whether to go for the dress-up corner, the blocks, the lego, the dolls it was so exciting but all so very overwhelming!!

Seriously my first day was approx 40yrs ago my memorie isn’t that good anymore LOL. I do however remember the teacher Mrs Coster an American who loved minestrone soup. Til this day when I smell it I think of her.