Tears, tantrums as schools reopen

By Alison Noonan
THERE were tears and tantrums on Tuesday as thousands of youngsters across Casey waved goodbye to the couch and headed back to school.
Students opened their textbooks for the first time in almost two months as they settled in for another year in the classroom.
Lynbrook Primary School principal Russell Gascoigne said the school had 66 preps enrolled for its second year in 2006, with the total number of students increasing from 175 to 286.
“It is a huge increase from our first year in 2005,” he said.
“We had a sensational first year — we couldn’t have asked for a better start.
“We are expanding this year with eight new teachers and close to 300 kids.
“It’s a very exciting time for us,” Mr Gascoigne said.
The new $6.1 million Centre Road Berwick Primary School was officially opened on Tuesday by Education Minister Jacinta Allan.
“It’s wonderful to see the partnership this school has already developed with the City of Casey and the local community,” she said.
Cranbourne Secondary College greeted its new brood of year-seven students with a special breakfast for teens and their parents.
The buffet breakfast was prepared by students at Cranbourne’s William Angliss Institute of TAFE and was quickly devoured by the nervous hoards.