Anxious hugs and cheers for the first day of school

Back to school, first day of 2022 for kids attending St Bede's primary school in Red Hill. Lyla Edward, 6, clings on to mum Danielle's arm on her first day of year 1. Picture: Karleen Minney

It was mixed emotions on Monday morning at schools across the ACT, as parents waved their kids goodbye for the first time since last year's lockdown.

There was some hesitation to the first day back at St Bede's Primary School in Red Hill, as mum Danielle Edward said her daughter Lyla, 6, was unsure about leaving the family to start Year 1.