Only mum's nervous when twins begin school journey

Five-year-olds Jayden (left) and Nathan Adams started school at Okaihau Primary. For the first time, mum Agnes Adams let the twins cycle to the main road and catch the bus from there.

While some parents are rejoicing, Northland mum Agnes Adams is one of many who found it hard sending their kids off to school this week.

Her twin sons Nathan and Jayden had their first school day on Wednesday at Okaihau Primary School, about 22km south west of Kerikeri.

Schools around the region started going back last Tuesday, with all due back by Thursday.

The twins were well and truly ready for the first chapter in their education, Ms Adams said.

"They were really excited to go," she said. "They couldn't wait to get there".

Jayden and Nathan said their favourite thing about school was the swimming pool, with the playground rating a close second.

They were not fazed about cycling to the bus stop then catching a bus to Okaihau for the first time on Thursday. In fact, it was Nathan's idea- their mum needed some persuading.

Ms Adams was "gutted" when she and the twins' father left the school on Wednesday.

"We were in the classroom for maybe 10 minutes," Ms Adams said. "They were quite happy for us to go."

The twins were the last of her five children to go school, which made it tougher, she said.

Like many mums, Ms Adams had looked after them full-time since they were born, so she said it was going to be a huge adjustment.

Picking the right first school for your child's needs was really important, Ms Adams said.

"I think, with the twins, I really investigated what school was going to suit them," she said.

"I really wanted them to be in a school that was small enough for them."