I, for one, can vividly recall the delight I felt when I lifted the lid of my new school desk for the first time to discover I had my very own ball of plasticine. Wow, just wow. For a bright-eyed four-year-old that little inducement quite simply sealed the deal.

Suddenly my anxiety faded and I think it was probably my mum who was working harder to disguise a pang of sadness at the thought her wee boy ‘growing up’.

With the school term starting this week, other reporters in our office also enjoyed recalling their earliest school days, some of which stretch further back into the mists of time than others, but regardless of age we all have a tale or two to tell.

And, of course, those of you who have P1 children, younger brothers or sisters, nieces and nephews will no doubt have been sharing treasured pictures of the new-starts ahead of what must seem like the start of a great new adventure.

There’s no denying every child’s first day at school is a milestone worth celebrating and it was little surprise that our request for proud mums and dads to send us pictures of their little ones suited and booted in their new school uniforms attracted such a positive response. Our picture special on page 24 seems like the perfect way to mark the start of the new school term.

Now would also be a good time to remind teachers that the News is always keen to hear about the many amazing activities and achievements that go on in your schools and classrooms. Please do keep us posted by either sending regular emails or giving our reporters a call. We can arrange for our photographer to pay you a visit to document a special occasion or event. You can contact us by email at editorial@barrheadnews.co.uk or call 0141 435 8885.

We also host surgeries at Cafe 158 in Barrhead’s Main Street on Thursdays between 2pm and 4pm for anyone who would like to have a chat about a story, forthcoming event or a particular issue you would like to bring to our attention. We hope you enjoy this week’s Barrhead News and thanks for taking an interest in your local paper.

Editor Graham Mann Email: gmann@cfpress.co.uk Twitter: @GrahamRMann