TEACHERS in North Ayrshire will be seeing double after seven sets of twins were amongst the new intake of primary ones across the county.
And of those beginning school on Tuesday, August 20, four sets will be beginning their life at primary school in Irvine and Kilwinning.
At Annick Primary, Liam and Callum Wilson, four, started lessons after attending the school's nursery class.
Callum and Liam Wilson. (Image: NAC)
Mum Alysanne, dad Alex and big brother Jamie, seven, all proudly waved the pair off as they made their way into the classroom.
Alysanne commented: “Both boys can be very shy but once they are familiar with people and their surroundings they are very active.
"They love all things farming-related as both sets of grandparents have or have had farms. They love spending time outside in the garden or the parks.
"They have similar likes and dislikes but Callum has the cheekiest smile, face and chat with while Liam is a bit more reserved and comes across as being serious - but a dry sense of humour.
“We can’t believe they are going to school now. It’s been the quickest five years!”
Over at Elderbank Primary, staff welcomed four-year-old brothers Alexander and George Mercer who also made the step up from Annick Nursery.
Alexander and George Mercer. (Image: NAC)
Mum Suzanne Mercer said: “The boys are very different. They are both loving and caring, with very different personalities.
"George would share anything with you and give you his last whereas – when it comes to food - Alex wouldn't give you anything!
“They both love going to Vanilla Joe's ice creams shop in Irvine and love Thomas the Tank Engine, Super Mario and Lego.
“Alex loves to build and fix things, relax watching a movie, sit with you reading a book and doing anything involving animals or transport.
"George is a very much an outdoors child. He likes anything sporty, adventurous and anything involving water. I know the school is wonderful but I'm very emotional about them moving on.”
Glebe Primary is where sisters Erin and Olivia Conway, four, are in P1 after leaving Treetops Nursery.
Erin and Olivia Conway. (Image: NAC)
Mum Chereen Conway and dad Stuart the girls are "super excited" to be starting primary school.
Chereen commented: “Olivia loves colouring and anything creative. She loves to play dress-up and puts on shows for me and her dad. She is always full of fun and loves a boogie and sing-song.
“Erin loves to look after people. She wants to be a police officer when she grows up! She is very caring and always looks at ways of helping people. She is full of fun and giggles.
“Both girls are super excited to start primary one and are very excited to be a Glebe. They love making new friends and been helping pick their uniforms and bags.”
At Whitehirst Park Primary in Kilwinning, Blake and Alfie Falconer, five, have joined the school roll after starting their education at Abbey Primary Early Years class.
Mum Cheryl Falconer, dad Andrew and brothers Harry, 13, and one-year-old Zachary waved them off in an incredibly proud moment for the family.
Blake and Alfie Falconer. (Image: NAC)
Cheryl said: “The boys love playing outdoors on their bike or scooter, Lego and superheroes - especially Spider-Man.
“The boys are very similar. Alfie is the more confident of the two while Blake is more sensitive. They are both loving, caring, inquisitive and bright and they show a keen interest in numbers.
“They were born at 34 weeks in Wishaw General Hospital and were not breathing. They spent two weeks in hospital and always amazed the staff as whenever one had a change medically, the other followed within the hour.”
Andrew McClelland, the Council’s Head of Service for Education, said: “On behalf of the schools’ headteachers and staff, I would like to offer a warm welcome to the seven sets of twins who are starting their primary education.
“I also extend this welcome to all other pupils starting the new term in North Ayrshire, and wish them well for the year ahead."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here