There were tears and there were smiles, there were butterflies and there was excitement.

Many young Roma children ignored the drizzle and embarked on their first day of school yesterday with proud, and sometimes emotional, family members looking on.

Saying goodbye to mum and dad is the hardest step to over come for some children, but that feeling is soon lost between the bag racks when finding new friends, learning new skills and being independant takes over.

Jed O'Brien is excited about his first day of prep.

"I just can't wait for play time," he said.

"I'm not sure what will be my favorite subject."

For Max Garvie, the feeling of being like his three siblings has finally become a reality.

"I always wanted to be like my brothers and sisters and go to school," he said.

Although brother and sister Zachariah and Jael Halls started different grades, they were able to share their first school day in Roma together after moving from Toowoomba.

No matter what the reaction, the first day of school is always an exciting time and the start of an important phase in any childs life.