Mixed emotions for parents on first day of school

5-year-old Harry Abbott is starting at Glenholme Primary School today. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

Caraline Abbott isn't sure how she'll feel saying goodbye to her son Harry, 5, on his first day at Glenholme Primary School.

"It'll be interesting to see how emotional I am. There will be sadness as he's the last one off to school and happy as it means only one drop-off in the morning ... there may be a few tears from mum."

Harry is one of 10,540 5-year-olds around the country who will be starting school for the first time this week, according to Education Minister Hekia Parata.

This is out of a total of 63,220 who are expected to be starting school throughout 2017.

"A new school year presents new possibilities and challenges. I hope kids are feeling excited about expanding their knowledge, learning new skills, making new friends and trying out a new sport or club," Mrs Parata said.

Mrs Abbott said her husband had booked a couple of hours off work in the morning today so they could take Harry to school together and stay until he felt comfortable.

"I'm sure it won't be long."

She said Harry was excited to be going to the same school as his older brother Jack, 6, but he was more excited about attending the Glenholme after-school care programme.

Harry was lucky to have attended Earlybirds Tui Centre on Sala St because it did a good job of preparing him for school, Mrs Abbott said.

"It will help with the transition having friends from Earlybirds attending the same school too."