Reading, writing and friends: Preps take on 2022

A new class of prep students step into the big wide world today. Two students and their mums caught up The Chronicle to discuss the exciting day.

Young students Georgia Handford and Mateo Friello are ready to start Prep, Friday, February 4, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Drawing, learning numbers and making friends are just some of the things prep students can look forward to when they start their new adventure today.

Georgia Handford was one of many students starting school, and while she was excited, there were also some nerves.

“She is worried no one will like her, even though she knows half the kids,” Georgia’s mum Skye said.

“I am excited for her but very sad at the same time.

“She is my youngest and it will be the first time in 12 years I haven’t had at least one of my little ones at home.”

Young students Georgia Handford and Mateo Friello are ready to start Prep, Friday, February 4, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Georgia said she was looking forward to “playing with lots of new friends”.

“Yes, lots of my kindy friends are in my class this year,” she said.

Georgia is enrolled to start prep at Fairview Heights State School.

“The preparation for prep was great,” Mrs Handford said.

“Her Kindy and the school conducted a lot of transformation days to make sure the kids were comfortable.”

When Georgia grows up, she wants to be a yoga instructor.

Meanwhile, Mateo Friello is set to start Prep at Oakey’s St Monica’s Primary School.

Young students Georgia Handford and Mateo Friello are ready to start Prep, Friday, February 4, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I chose St Monica’s because it's a beautiful catholic school with a great principal and amazing teachers,” Mateo’s mum, Tiffany Priaulx said.

“I feel excited about him starting prep. He loved learning at kindy last year, so I think he will find prep very rewarding.”

Miss Priaulx said preparing for Mateo’s transition into prep had been “relatively smooth”.

“We started at the end of last year which helped,” she said.

Mateo has said he is excited to start Prep.

“Yes I can’t wait for school. I want to play with my friends and write numbers.”

According to Mateo, he already has a lot of friends.

“I have a hundred friends from kindy,” he said.

“I want to be a space man when I grow up.”