Amaroo Primary School year one students Carson Dewar and Jenaya Roberts said they were excited by their first day of school.

“I am looking forward to learning how to read and playing with my mates,” Carson said.

Jenaya felt the same, but said she was also looking forward to colouring-in.

She would miss her mum and dad, she added.

Amaroo Primary School, which has 435 students in total, has experienced an increase in numbers this year and 43 are year one pupils.

Amaroo Primary School principal Colin Chisholm said the increase equalled another class.

“We’re really pleased because it means parents are choosing to come to us and a large number of families seem to be from outside of Collie,” he said.

However Fairview Primary School — which has 280 students — had a slight decrease in students.

“It’s because of year groups coming through,” principal Alex Symington reported. “It’s a natural process.”

The school welcomed 37 year one students this year.

But the 2010 school year is looking bright, Mr Symington said.

“The school has brand new toilets after 20 years of principals trying to get them upgraded, so that’s great.”

St Brigid’s Primary School, Allanson Primary School and Wilson Park Primary School also had healthy influxes of year one students with 18, 15 and 11 respectively.

Allanson Primary School principal Rod Scott said the school numbers had increased since last year.

“We’ve had some people who have returned to the school for various reasons so that’s good for us,” he said.

“The staff are motivated and staff development days have been successful.

“Literacy and numeracy is a priority for us to keep standards at expectations.”

Wilson Park principal Katherine Shaw said the school year ahead was looking “fantastic” and “we’re looking forward to building works starting on the school and it’s set to be a positive year,” she said.

“We will be focussing on spelling and writing and mathematics.

“We’re also hoping to raise the profile of the school in the community and making sure people know Wilson Park is a great school.”