There will be tears (of joy and nerves), the packing and repacking of the school bag and the inevitable questions of did we buy the ‘cool’ school shoes?

Or will it be easy to make friends?

And if that is what the parents are feeling, imagine what it is like for the children.

Lining up their school items the night before at bed time full of excitement to then wake up a bundle of nerves.

For kindergarten pupils, the adjustment comes from a world of finger painting and scheduled naps to one of wonder and new knowledge.

It is the beginning of their official 13 years of schooling and while they are not learning the periodic table or the full works of Shakespeare, some could argue it is still one of the most important.

Year 7 students, it is all about finding your classroom, arriving on time, navigating a bigger campus, making friends and adjusting to a new colour of school uniform.

And sorry, but what on earth is Pythagoras’s theorem?

The first year of ‘big school’ can be an adjustment from oldest on campus to newbies but it does not have to be the stuff teen angst movies are made of.

High school is not all wedgies and homework – it can be a wondrous time when lifelong friendships are forged.

By the time you reach year 12, you waver between rejoicing that it is almost over and wondering if this last year will feel like the equivalent of six years.

Parents, have your tissues at the ready, it could be an emotional week.

Or perhaps you are among those parents who are crying for a different reason – joy.

Joy that after weeks of holidays and constant cries of “I’m bored”, the children are out and distracted for six hours a day.

You have run out of places to visit, day trips to take and the weather is only permitting so many outdoor activities.

It is a return to the glorious time that the house gets cleaned and stays that way for longer than an hour. 

Let’s also spare a thought for the region’s teachers, who spent the dying moments of their holidays preparing lessons, learning student names and ensuring your child got the best return possible to their school year.

We wish all students starting or returning to school this week the best of luck.