By the end of this week most public school students in NSW would have had their first day of school for 2021.
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But the majority of public schools around the state are staggering the start date of kindergarten students - many of these youngsters are set to start big school next week.
That's the case for Albion Park twins Jacinta and Kyah Harvey.
The "excitable" five-year-olds have to wait until next Tuesday to do their Best Start assessment, before starting kindergarten on Wednesday.
Liz Harvey said her daughters couldn't wait to join big sister Grace at Mount Terry Public School.
"They already have had a taste of the school going to pick up their big sister Grace, so they are very excited," Mrs Harvey said.
"They really can't wait for school to start."
Mrs Harvey and husband Phil asked for their identical twins to be put in the same class.
"They are going to be going into the same class. I've chosen to keep them together because they really are pretty inseparable."
The twins may be identical but Mrs Harvey said the girls had their "own unique personality".
"They are still very similar but Kyah is probably a little bit more adventurous and outgoing. Jacinta on the other hand is a little bit more reserved, but she is more affectionate," she said.
The first day of school is going to be "tough" for the girls and her parents alike but Mrs Harvey shared her daughters' excitement.
I think it is good that they have got each other for support. I think that makes it a little bit easier then for me and dad as well.
- Liz Harvey
"I'm definitely looking forward to them going and just seeing how they progress in a classroom," she said.
"First day might be a bit teary but I think it is more excitement than anything else.
"I think it is good that they have got each other for support. I think that makes it a little bit easier then for me and dad as well.
"It's exciting times and we are looking forward to what the year brings."
This year will see an expected 3300 kindergarten students start in the Illawarra. In 2020, there were 3173 kindergarten students in the Illawarra.
Meantime, the return to school for students has coincided with a return to school zone speed limits for drivers in Wollongong.
School drop offs and pick-ups are always a busy time of the day. That's why Wollongong City Council is reminding everyone to take care when driving near schools, follow the road rules and observe school speed limits.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said that road safety was a responsibility for everyone.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
