Some prep, and Eden’s off to class
GETTING organised for the first day of school has been a fun but trying time for five-year-old Eden Byrne and her family.
The St Aloysius student, who begins Prep today, was born profoundly deaf in both ears, for which she requires fortnightly therapy.
Mum Alison Byrne said weekdays at the family’s Kingston home would be a tad quieter this year with Eden and older sister Millie, 7 (inset), now both attending school full time.
“The girls are both very excited to be starting school and Eden says she’s looking forward to being in big school now,” Ms Byrne said.
Based on last year’s enrolment figures for Tasmanian government schools, it is estimated about 62,000 students will return to school from today.
Ms Byrne said the past few weeks had been extremely busy getting the girls prepared for the school year.
“Ordinarily you make sure everyone has shoes, lunch boxes, the books have arrived et cetera,” she said.
“But on top of that, with Eden, we’ve had to make sure the school is prepared with the use of her hearing technology.
“Getting Eden school-ready has been different in that there is so many other things we’ve had to think about, like if the school is a good listening environment for her and if she can communicate effectively with her peers.”
Ms Byrne said St Aloysius had collaborated constructively with hearing support organisation the Shepherd Centre to ensure Eden had a positive environment in which to learn.