LOCAL children embarked on a new chapter of their lives, with 50 prep students making their first appearance at four Kerang primary schools yesterday.

While it is a day of celebration and accomplishment, it can also be a sad time for parents who watch their babies fly the nest for the first time.

Five-year-old twins Jobe and Abel Howden are continuing a family tradition at Kerang Christian College, which their mother, Lucie Howden (nee Henderson) also attended.

On their first day of school yesterday the boys were a bit unsure about what to expect but said they were looking forward to sport.

Football and cricket are a big focus for the twins and also divides them.

Jobe said they support different teams.

"I go for the Bombers and Abel goes for the Hawks," he said.

"We have our Hawks and our Bombers shirts.

"In cricket I got my dad's team, the green team, and he has the blue team."

The twins weren't too excited about reading just yet but said they liked having stories read to them by both their mum and dad.

Prep teacher Jenni Vellacott said the class would be making a start on alphabet sounds on their first day and had already written their names.

They had also been doing some maths.

"Maths in prep is very hands on, so they think they're playing," Ms Vellacott said.

"Naturally they love it - they don't know it's maths."

Ms Vellacott said the first days of school for the preps are largely about settling in.

"It's about getting routines established and figuring out the rules," she said.

"They're all enthusiastic, which is great.

"You don't get that as much in other year levels."

Her class of 15 is the biggest prep year the school has had for a while.

Last year there were only eight at the beginning of the term.

Meanwhile, at Kerang South Primary four new preps whose parents attended the school have started this week.

Melissa Fowler, who Ms Veall taught in prep, saw her daughter Zoe Hunter, start at the school this week.

Brother and sister Scott and Hannah Worsnop also introduced their childrens to Kerang South

Hannah's son Harrison Gillies and Scott's son George Worsnop were joined by fellow past student Dylan West's daughter, Indi West.