Tens of thousands of Tasmanian children returning to school

After months of holidays, children around the state will have to set their alarms as school returns for another year. What students think ahead of the new school year.

Dominic McShane 8 grade 3 with twin brother Aaron McShane 8 grade 3, sisters Ella Bain 10 grade 5 and Juliet Bain 7 grade 2 and Travis McShane 11 grade 6 who will all head back to school at Campbell Street Primary School. Back to school for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Uniforms have been laid out, lunches packed, and alarms set; school is back.

Most Tasmanian students across the state will return to school this week.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz last week urged motorists to reduce their speed to 40km/h in school zones.

“On any given school day, approximately 85,000 school kids are on the move across the State and they deserve to do so safely,” Mr Abetz said at the time.

But the return to school for many southern students will be short lived, with February 10 being a public holiday for the Royal Hobart Regatta.

Campbell Street Primary School pupil Juliet Bain is one of the tens of thousands of people who will return to the classroom.

“I’m excited to see my friends and excited to see who’s in my class again,” the 7-year-old who was going into grade two said.

“I like writing, maths and science. At lunchtime, I like playing on the oval and playing on the monkey bars.”

Dominic McShane 8 grade 3 with twin brother Aaron McShane 8 grade 3, sisters Ella Bain 10 grade 5 and Juliet Bain 7 grade 2 and Travis McShane 11 grade 6 who will all head back to school at Campbell Street Primary School. Back to school for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Juliet’s mother, Jill Norton, said preparations for the school year were well underway.

“It was a lovely summer holiday to spend with the children, but it’s very exciting that they can go back to school for another year.”

Isobel Gray is in grade 12 at St Mary’s College and is excited to complete her last year of schooling.

“I used to idolise the grade 12’s at such a young age,” Isobel said.

“It’s such a big thing because we share the school with them, so they’re definitely the role models and who you look up to.

“Being that grade that everyone looks up to, now you kind of have to have some self-standards – but as a grade – come together and demonstrate what it’s like.”

Back to school Year 12 students Isobel Gray and Sarah Wilson with their teacher Georgina Harris, Head of Staff Development at St Mary's College. Picture: Caroline Tan

Isobel has attended St Mary’s College since kindergarten and said she has enjoyed her time there.

“Being in grade 12 is a mix of emotions.

“I’m excited to see what happens after school, but it’s also quite emotional because you do build those connections with not only the students around you but the staff you’ve known most of your school journey.”

Her peer Sarah Wilson also had mixed emotions leading into entering grade 12.

“I’m happy to be back, but also sad it’s my last year with my big community at St Mary’s,” Sarah said.

“I’ve been there since I was in kinder, so the fact that I’m not going to be there next year is quite sad.”

Originally published as Tens of thousands of Tasmanian children returning to school