Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery had the honour of welcoming everyone on a perfect morning in MacCabe Park. Among those present was Tehla Bower with her daughter Kahlan, 5, and husband Glen. The Bower family was encouraged to come by Keiraville Community Pre-School’s Margaret Gleeson whose students feed into a dozen different primary schools.

“We have such a great pre-school community and they have a great transition program of their own. Kahlan is so ready it is going to be the mothers that struggle. I think we will all be tears and they will be fine. But this is also good for us because we can meet and network with other parents and learn about all the different facilities and resources available to us,” Mrs Bower said.

While Kahlan was excited to meet Billy Backpack the Bowers also got to meet other families with children going to the same school as her. Mrs Gleeson has been to every transition picnic and always teaches children at her pre-school the Billy Backpack song.

The Transition To School Program is funded by Families NSW and managed by Big Fat Smile.

The program’s Jodie Asplet explained why the celebration of going to school picnic in the part and overall transition initiative for the Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama areas was important.

“Starting school is one of the most significant transitions a child will make in their life,” she said.

“Research tells us that quality Transition to School programs have a direct link to academic and social success, not just in the first year of school but throughout their school. Positive and meaningful relationships between children and their carers help build children’s resilience, elements that are essential in supporting a child’s smooth transition to school. The picnic...is an opportunity for children and families to celebrate this important milestone, develop networks and receive valuable information that can support their child make a smooth transition to school.”