Masterton new entrant stays cool | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

For some children, starting school can be a nerve-wracking experience.

But not for Abe Wheeler.

The 5-year-old, a new entrant at Masterton's St Patrick's School, said he wasn't nervous at all when he started classes on Monday.

In fact, he thought it was "good".

His favourite things to do were playing in the playground and riding his scooter.

He also loves throwing balls - but not too hard, and certainly not at the teacher.

Abe's father, deputy principal Steve Wheeler, confirmed his son's enthusiasm, saying that the new entrant was "thriving".

To make the experience of starting school less intimidating, St Patrick's has a pre-school programme that children visit to get them used to aspects of school life.

They meet teachers, go on classroom tours and experience lessons.

"It makes such a difference - it makes them know what they're coming to," Mr Wheeler said.

Abe was one of about 750,000 pupils, including 50,000 new entrants, who were expected to start school throughout the country this week.

Eight new entrants started at St Patrick's on Monday, with more expected to trickle in throughout the year.

Mr Wheeler said there had been no meltdowns from nervous new students so far this year - to everybody's relief.