My First Year 2023: Participating schools in NSW, Queensland and Victoria revealed

The major milestone in the life of every Australian child is being celebrated in a lasting keepsake for families.

Thousands of Aussie kids taking the giant step into “big school” have been celebrated across our nation.

NewsCorp’s My First Year initiative has grown throughout Australia, with hundreds of schools participating in 2023.

The initiative, which started more than a decade ago, commemorates a major milestone in the life of our kids and will be a lasting keepsake for the students and their families.

St Patrick’s Primary School, East Gosford, in NSW show their spectacular funny faces. Picture: Sue Graham

There are thousands of “kindy” or “prep” students to meet with many sharing dreams of what they want to be when they grow up and what they like most about school.

There are also galleries of our kindy superstars pulling funny and silly faces, with photographers enjoying behind the scenes moments including principals and teachers dancing and telling jokes.

Nate and Elie from the NSW Central Coast school, Coast Christian School, are aiming for the stars when they grow up.

“I want to be an astronaut!” Nate yelled.

“A rock star, scientist and a mum,” Elie said.

My First Year – Kindy students Elie and Nate Coast Christian School Kindy classes x2. pic Sue Graham

Coomera Anglican College principal Patrick Innes-Hill said “preps are the wisest people in the school.”

“If we don’t listen to them, we’re in trouble – and even if we don’t, they’ll just shout louder anyways,” he said.

“There’s an authenticity and a spontaneity about prep students – some of the most precious moments I’ve had were with prep students.”