Island yesterday.

With new attire, school materials, and the chance to meet new friends and catch up with old ones, the first day of school is probably the most exciting or at least most memorable day in a young person's life.

But for some 500 pre-schoolers and five-year-olds, who are entering the classroom setting for the first time, the experience can be traumatic.

And yesterday The Royal Gazette's photographers witnessed a mixture of emotions.

For example, at Prospect Primary -- where principal Marva Outerbridge and teachers turned out at the school gate to greet new and returning students -- photographer David Skinner captured five-year-old Khyron Tucker clutching his mother Tomisha Tucker's waist in fear of the unknown.

Meanwhile photographer Tony Cordeiro caught five-year-old Brittany DeSilva stealing a kiss from her mother Nelia Dill before beginning her first day at Heron Bay Primary.

Despite the early morning shenanigans, students in all schools eventually happily settled into a new school year.

The day was not only significant for students, it was also momentous for teachers, principals, and other education officials.

It marked the beginning of middle school level education in primary seven classes and the first year that 11 and 12-year-old students will not have to worry about the pressures of high school because they will automatically enter middle school without having to write an entry exam. Each primary school has a designated middle school.