Emotional parents and Spiderman for first day of school

Excitement filled the air as parents dropped their children off for the first day of school today.

Grade R mother Soori Ramdarie, at I R Griffith Primary School in Blairgowrie, Randburg, said she had been preparing for this day since the day her six-year-old son, Arav, was born.

Ramdarie joked that the first day of school was a special day for parents.

"I'm a little nervous, but I look forward to him reaching his own potential at his own pace," she said.

A timid Arav said he looked forward to writing more. He added that he chose his Spiderman school bag.

Five-year-old Yishay Jamaloodeen's mother, Karuna, said while he was her second child to go to school, the proud feeling never goes away.

"I hope I don't cry, which is why I put on extra mascara to remind myself not to," she said.

Bongiwe Seeti said she wished she could do everything for her six-year-old daughter, Khumisho, who started Grade 1 today.

Seeti moved her daughter up from Zeerust where she lived with her parents until she was old enough for school.

"It's a weird feeling, really. I'm sad to see her grow up so fast, but I'm also happy because she is taking the first step towards a long journey in her education."

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