Starting school is easier with a little bit of a helping hand
Shire education
Five-year-old Kenna is starting school at St Augustine’s Primary in Mossman this week, and has she got a packed program ahead of her.
The first thing to take care of is what she is most looking forward to learning about in class.
“Probably about babies,” she says with authority.
Brother Griff, 7, who is an experienced hand at school after attending St Augustine’s for the past two years, clarifies his little sister’s answer.
“She loves babies,” Griff explains.
During this chaotic interview, which includes pointing out her brand new waterbottle, drawing pictures of Father Christmas, and listening for the dogs barking out the back, Kenna soon expands on some of the topics she has already been studying during her brief time in the education system.
“I’m learning about toys,” she says.
Or did she say “toilets”? (While majoring in super cute, the new prep student still has some work to do in terms of speaking clearly, or is that just this reporter’s failing hearing?)
Griff volunteers his favourite part of school: “Probably Chromebooks.”
Kenna then chimes in about another key link to her schooling: “And this is my pencil.”
She also says she is looking forward to going to her first day with a trio of kindy friends, as well as her brother and cousins.
“I’ve got a new drink bottle,” she adds.
I try one more time: What is she looking forward to the most?
“Toys.”
Yes, not toilets.
Kenna has just had a birthday, and more of the focus at this stage of our chat may be on the upcoming pony party.
“There’s gonna be horsies there and everyone gets to ride them,” she says.
“I get to ride one.
“There might be lots.”
Newsport would like to wish good luck to all the Douglas Shire students starting and returning to school this week across the district.