Easing first-day nerves
Asset Publisher
03 February 2025
For some students heading into the 2025 school year, it will be the first time they’ve stepped onto a primary or secondary campus.
For many, this can be nerve-racking.

Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett, are co-ordinators of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P).
School psychologists, Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett, are co-ordinators of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P). They spoke on Ed Talks WA, the Department’s podcast channel, to share some insights into what families can do to reduce first-day nerves and how to access support.
“It's really common for students and parents to feel nerves about the first day, or even the first day back at school, especially if your child's entering primary or secondary school for the first time,” Ms Papaelias said.
In the lead up to school, Ms Papaelias said it’s important for families to be talking about school frequently and in a positive way.
Another important skill to encourage is getting students ready for routines as this preparation is going to help set them up for success.
“Routines are critically important and it takes the cognitive load out of things,” Mr Everett said.
“Having simple and effective morning routines, for example, can be a really effective way of reducing the angst and the drama [of getting ready in the morning] and just meaning that we get into a nice routine about how we leave the house in the morning.”
However, every family is going to be different, so it’s important to find what works best.
Mr Everett said that one of the most helpful skills that we can teach or encourage in young children, is the ability to ask for help.
“So, what we call help-seeking behaviour, being able to have ways that your child can indicate that they might need support or indicate to you maybe that things are going well for them or that things are not going as well as they would like," Mr Everett said.
When speaking about Triple P, both Ms Papaelias and Mr Everett said the seminars give parents and caregivers practical ideas and strategies to help their child develop the skills and behaviours that they need to be happy and confident.
Students aren’t the only ones coming back to school this year. More than 40 new school psychologists are joining the team across the state to help support students as they strive to achieve success.
Jo Fox, Chief Psychologist at the Department of Education, said the new staff brings the total of school psychologists in WA to more than 650.
“The Department of Education is the biggest employer of psychologists in the state,” she said.
“Our new school psychologists come from a wide range of backgrounds, including graduates of the Master of Professional Psychology program delivered by local universities.”
Before the term begins, the new school psychologists attended an induction program at the Statewide Services Centre in Padbury to collaborate with other psychologists working in schools, to familiarise themselves with school and Department processes, and continue their professional learning.
These staff will be spread across metropolitan and regional schools.
“We also have many psychologists with experience who have sought to join the Department, wanting to make a real difference in the lives of young people and school communities by becoming school psychologists," Ms Fox said.
School psychologists are registered health practitioners who support the work of schools in enhancing student achievement, engagement and wellbeing.
You can find the podcast episodes on the Department website.
Access links to the Triple P program, as well as the podcast transcript, for students starting primary school on the episode webpage.
Access links to the Triple P program, as well as the podcast transcript, for students starting secondary school on the episode webpage.