General News
5 February, 2026
Schools welcome newest students
SOME of the region’s littlest learners took a big step last week with their first days of primary education complete.
Terang College and Mortlake College each welcomed a dozen preps to their classrooms, Hampden P-12 introduced two preps to its student cohort and Noorat Primary School welcomed Billy to their school.
It was a big year for the region’s private schools with St Thomas’ Primary School in Terang welcoming 27 preps and St Colman’s Primary School welcoming ten.
“It’s a big intake this year, which has been great,” St Thomas’ Primary School principal Matthew Uzkuraitis said.
“We’ve got a mixture of siblings and new families.
“We’ve been able to get into our new classrooms with our juniors.
“It’s all about settling in and routines, all the good stuff.
“We’re very fortunate to have such great staff who are support ingthe students in their early day to get to know what school life is all about, so for us we’re just enjoying being at the starting point again.”
St Colman’s Primary School teacher Shandell Moloney said she was thrilled with so many students joining the traditionally smaller school.
“It’s such a fantastic result,” she said.
“It’s been the best thing so we’re really happy to have this many kid joining our classrooms.”
Mrs Moloney said the transition had been particularly smooth thanks to the fun-loving and inquisitive nature of the new students.
“The kids are settling in really well,” she said.
“They’ve had quite a few visits to the school and that’s enabled them to start school straight away and get straight into things.
“They’re fun, they love playing outside and have really enjoyed the process of getting to know each other while settling in.”
