While some kindy kids don’t start until next week, others put on backpacks nearly as big as they were and their hats and headed off to their first official school year.

Healthy numbers of kindergarten children are making their school debut in Gunnedah this year, with more than 100 starting at Gunnedah South Public School, 55 at St Xavier’s Primary School and 13 at Carinya Christian School making up some of the numbers.

Deputy secretary of the NSW Education and Communities Department Greg Prior said there were more than 780,000 new and returning students in the 2015 school year in NSW.

“Our 2200 public schools are welcoming students back, starting with Eastern Division schools on Wednesday, January 28,¨ Mr Prior said.

“We are also pleased to again offer important back-to-school advice for parents via the Department of Education and Communities website.

“Starting school can sometimes be a bit daunting, especially for those attending primary or high school for the first time. A visit to www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au can help with students’ and parents’ back-to-school needs.”

The website includes a checklist for getting students ready to head back to school, handy hints on homework, including planner templates and study tips, answers to frequently-asked questions  and public school term dates.

“Our school jargon buster will also help parents sort out their CAPAs from their KLAs, and explain why BEC and TAS are not girls’ names,¨ Mr Prior said.

Assistance is also available to parents and caregivers via the Back-to-School Hotline (1300 738 338). The hotline operates until Friday, February 13.

​LOOK OUT, CHILDREN ABOUT

NSW Ambulance has reminded motorists to be on the look-out for children as the school year starts.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan said in the first month of Term 1 in 2014, paramedics were called to treat 26 children aged between five and 18 who had been hit by vehicles.

Taking into account the 23 school days during this period, this amounted to more than one collision a day.

Of these incidents, which were captured between 8am and 5pm each day, 20 involved child pedestrians while six involved children on bicycles. Injuries ranged from cuts and grazes to fractures and head wounds.

Inspector Buchanan said any collision involving a child and a vehicle was traumatic, not just for the patient but parents, other children, bystanders and the motorist.

“It is an emotional scene, always. You are trying to treat the child and you are aware of the parent’s distress and also the trauma suffered by other children who may have witnessed the collision,” he said.

“Even if you are outside these areas, be mindful that greater numbers of children will be out, travelling to and from home – and not always adhering to the road rules. By following this advice, it could save a child from suffering serious, life-long injuries.”