Leichhardt, Ipswich school’s record 22 twins

If the kids look similar at this little Ipswich school, it’s because almost one in 10 is a twin. Three new pairs start as preppies this week, taking the school’s total to 11 sets.

Six of the sets of twins at Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School

A small Ipswich school will have 11 sets of twins, four of them identical, enrolled when its 2023 academic year starts on Tuesday (January 24) — nearly one tenth of its total student population.

Immaculate Heart Catholic Primary School in Leichhardt will welcome three new twin sets to their prep classes, but these students are no strangers to the school.

Alec and Hugh Gallagher, with their mother Makarla, are starting Prep.

Alec and Hugh Gallagher are heading into prep and their mum Makarla said they were so excited they had been carrying their new library bags with them everywhere they went.

“They won’t put them down. They’re using them to carry everything from pencils to books around the house, they love them,” she said.

“They’ve even made gifts for their new teachers out of cupcake patties, with one of my sons even cutting out flowers and star shapes for his new teacher. It’s very sweet.”

Oliver & William Sims - Year 1

Year One twins Oliver and William Sims had never see so many other twins before.

“It’s really great for them to see there are other sets of twins just like them,” their mother, Carla Brown, said.

“Sometimes they think they’re the only set of twins out there.”

All of the new twins were enrolled in the schools‘Little Hearts’ program, a unique 12-month, pre-prep program started last year to gradually introduce children to school.

The aim is to get them comfortable with their surroundings, teachers and fellow prep students.

Each of the children attended three sessions per term throughout last year and were now excited to start school.

Ms Gallagher the Little Hearts program had made a big difference, with her older son, Henry, having much different transition from kindy to school without the program.

Principal Kurt Dutney said the program allowed the school to cater to the unique emotional and social needs of students.

“What’s wonderful is not only has the pilot program been a huge success, but we have also been lucky enough to see three sets of twins help test out the program,” he said.

Originally published as Leichhardt, Ipswich school’s record 22 twins