For five-year-old Nykolas, next Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
The Craigieburn boy has eagerly been counting down the days until he starts school, even asking Santa to bring him money instead of toys for Christmas so he could buy his school uniform.
Nykolas will be among the new prep students starting at Newbury Primary School.
Two new schools will open in Hume and Whittlesea this year, easing the pressure on existing schools.
Oscar Romero Primary School will open in Craigieburn, providing a third Catholic primary school for the suburb, while Edgars Creek Secondary College will open in Epping North.