“They’re going to be very, very excited, it’s going to be like Christmas Day,” their mum Jodie said. “They have a chart with the number of sleeps to go - Lucy has been ‘doing homework’ and copying out alphabet letters, while Thomas has been talking about school non stop.”

The Connells are one of three sets of twins starting kindergarten at Holy Spirit Infants School in Abermain. 

Incoming principal Charlene Reid said having three sets was “very unique, especially in such a small school” of 120 pupils up to year two.

Students will make a staggered return to Hunter schools from Monday. Each school has decided independently when to welcome kindergartners into the fold.

At Holy Spirit, kindergartners will sit their Best Start assessment this week to help teachers identify their literacy and numeracy skills, before their first official day on Friday. Mrs Connell said she felt Lucy would excel at religion, while Thomas’ forte would be imaginative play.

“They’ve both got plenty of personality,” she said. “Lucy is more adventurous and will give everything a go, while Tom is a little more cautious and will see what the consequences are first.”

She said she was “not in denial” about crying at their school debut. “But I’ll wait until they’re in class - I don’t want them to think it’s a sad time, it’s exciting and new and I want them to be happy,” she said. “They’re so ready, so I don’t have concerns that they’re not going to cope. It’s the fact I’m going to have let go of the mother strings and let someone else look after them. I’m going to miss the noise – they’ve been my mates. I’m glad they’re going to have each other for support.”

Brett McLennan said his sons Hugh and Flynn used to play up their physical similarities, but teachers should be able to tell them apart because Hugh was left handed.

Hugh is also the proud owner of a Darth Vader drink bottle, while Flynn opted for Dory.  

“They’ve been asking questions about what lies ahead –they’re still getting their heads around going five days a week, that will be a shock. It’s exciting and sad, they’re no longer who we brought home five years ago, but they’re going to the next stage of their development.”

Laura Caire sometimes forgot her children Peta and Jimmy were twins. “I think they’ll go their own separate ways, although they’re very protective of each other,” she said. “They’ll meet their buddies and they’ll be gone.” Peta said she was “excited” about painting and wearing her uniform, although her socks were “too hot”. Jimmy said he wanted to visit the library for truck and bike books.

Send us your photos from the first day of school. Email mcarr@theherald.com.au