Victorian grade prep students celebrate their first days at school in 2025: See the picture galleries

About 70,000 Victorian grade prep students have started their first year of school this week. Check back to see all the photos from primary schools across the state.

Preppies Sonny Sinclair and Jude Burt on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

The shoe polish is out, and so are the school uniforms for Victorian school students.

And this year, about 70,000 Grade Prep students have started their first day of school this week, with their smiling faces lighting up the classrooms.

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The Herald Sun will be travelling to different schools across the state, both metro and regionally, to capture preppies’ first schooling milestones.

See the pictures below — more photos will published from other schools as the week goes by.

GIPPSLAND REGION: ST GABRIEL’S PRIMARY SCHOOL TRARALGON

In the Latrobe Valley, Grade Prep students commenced their first day of school on Thursday.

Cousins Elijah Smith and Elliot Hales got to spend their first day together reading picture books.

Check out who was featured from the school.

Preppies Sonny Sinclair and Jude Burt on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Preppies Willow Graham and Mila Read on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Preppies Kai Clark and Charlie Stoddart on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Preppies Elijah Smith and Elliot Hales, who are cousins, on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mila Read on her first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Preppies Mila Read, Willow Graham and Sonny Sinclair on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Elliot Hales on his first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Preppies Willow Graham and Mila Read on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Preppies Sonny Sinclair and Jude Burt on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Elliot Hales on his first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Elijah Smith on his first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Kai Clark and Charlie Stoddart on their first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Elliot Hales on his first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Teachers Ms Kate, Camille Johnson and Vicki McGrath on the first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Teachers Ms Kate, Camille Johnson, Vicki McGrath and their Grade Prep students on the first day at St Gabriel's Primary School, Traralgon on January 30, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

GIPPSLAND REGION: MIRBOO NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

Down in the heart of South Gippsland, preppies — with the support and help of Grade 1 students — rose and shine on Wednesday morning to start their first school chapter at Mirboo North Primary School.

The classrooms were filled with energy and excitement as students bonded along with activities set up for them to enjoy.

After the role was called, children listened to a picture book read out by their teacher.

Check out who was featured from the school.

Alice, Indianna and Amelia at Mirboo North Primary School's first day of Grade Prep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Matilda and Frankie at Mirboo North Primary School's first day of Grade Prep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Alex and Harvey at Mirboo North Primary School's first day of Grade Prep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Nate Brincat and Ashlee Trease at Mirboo North Primary School's first day of Grade Prep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Ronan O'Sullivan, Flynn O'Sullivan and Melissa O'Sullivan at Mirboo North Primary School's first day of Grade Prep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Gerard O'Shea, Rohan and Lauren Downey at Mirboo North Primary School's first day of Grade Prep on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Picture: Jack Colantuono

RANFURLY PRIMARY SCHOOL MILDURA

The preps at Ranfurly Primary School in Mildura were just getting settled in when we arrived.

While a lot of them were camera shy on their first day, check out the kids brave enough to face the camera when the Herald Sun came to visit.

Kolini and Rylan on their first day at Ranfurly Primary School. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Samuela was straight into the books on his first day at Ranfurly Primary School. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Mason was very aptly reading 'My First Day at School' on his first day at Ranfurly Primary School. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Puasila was one of many preps enjoying their first day at Ranfurly Primary School. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Hudson was all smiles on his first day at Ranfurly Primary School. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

BALLARAT REGION: ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

Students at St Patrick’s Primary School in Ballarat spent some of their first school morning colouring in and making hats.

Jasper.

Isabella.

Janela.

Austin.

Grace.

Edward and Jovel.

Ned.

Angus.

Fred and Henley.

Artie and Huon.

Molly and Freddie.

Kelsey and Everly.

Charlotte and Isla.

Ruben.

Ben.

Patrick.

Rafael and Harper.

Sybilla.

Sid.

Luna.

Wesley and Heidi.

Alice.

Preps on their first day at St Patrick's Primary School in Ballarat.

BALLARAT REGION: BALLARAT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

Ballarat Christian College preps started their first morning with Year 12 buddies. Picture: Ballarat Christian College

BALLARAT REGION: EMMAUS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

Poppy, Summer, Archie, and Chester at Emmaus Catholic Primary School, Ballarat.

Poppy, Summer, Archie, and Chester at Emmaus Catholic Primary School, Ballarat.

BENDIGO REGION: VIOLET ST PRIMARY SCHOOL

Bendigo Violet St Primary School preps were quickly making new friends on their first day of school.

Prep Jago Nankervis at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Prep Zaria Hearn at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Prep Atlas Malone at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Preppies Ollie McKinnon, Noah Brown and Thomas Holl at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Prep Dorian Skillbeck at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Preppies Indie Hopping and Hannah Graham at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Prep Matheo Rodriguez at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Preppies Rylan Ferrari and Kobe Mayne at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Prep Sydney Cunningham at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Preppies Mae Goodson, Bella Riordan and Annabelle Francis at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Preppies Sydney Cunningham and Lily Godfrey at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Prep Lochlan Nadin at Bendigo Violet Street Primary School. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Girton Grammar School Bendigo

Girton Grammar preppies had a blast on their first day of school, proudly marching into class with crisp new uniforms.

Girton Grammar Bendigo prep Aroha Rushi on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppies Aarnik Goyal and Harris McLean on their first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo prep Bella Retallick with her mum Leah on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo prep Astrid Veera on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppies Amber and Elke Hocking with Alegra Vosch on their first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppies Sukhtaajnoor Kaur Brar and Gracie Hetherington on their first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo prep Annie Kuhle with her parents on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppie Jayden Shin with his parents on his first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppie Ivy DeAraugo with her parents on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppies Eva Song and Natalie Yang on their first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppie Ridhaan Shah with his parents on his first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppie Seerat Dhillon with her mum on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preps Kimaya Chawla and Sarvika Halder on their first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preppie Sarvika Halder with her parents on her first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

Girton Grammar Bendigo preps Yanting Berry and Jayden Shin on their first day of school. Picture: Supplied.

SHEPPARTON REGION: BOURCHIER ST PRIMARY SCHOOL

The newest students at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton were full of smiles during their first week of term one.

Prep students across four classrooms were happy to show the Herald Sun how excited their were on Friday for their second day of school.

The playground was the main attraction for most.

Billie Hodgson, Isabella Robinson, Toby Vellar and Jack Geddes during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Elsie Fullgrabe and Julian Wright during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Sonny Cuthbert and Aria Cooper during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Charlotte Tenney during her first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Ruben Polkinghorne during his first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Mary Lako during her first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Harvey McMullan during his first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Harlow Heywood and Tilda O'Toole during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Fraser Moor and Sam Sali during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

William Forte during his first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Murphy Vanderwey and Theo Bagley during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Elif Topal and Jugaad Kaur during their first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Keira Jafer during her first week of prep at Bourchier St Primary School in Shepparton. Picture. Abby Walter

Australian Christian College Casey

Samuel, Ezra, Benji, Nataniel, Kiaan, Eve (top), Isla (bottom) Picture: Supplied

ACCC prep student Kiaan during his first week of school Picture: Supplied

Benji sitting at his desk at Australian Christian College in Casey. Picture: Supplied

New prep Samuel at ACCC was all smiles on his first week of school. Picture: Supplied

Ezra and Nataniel. Picture: Supplied