Joy, tears and adventures multiplied, as twins begin school

The SSMBA connected these families and allowed them to share this important journey with other twin and triplet families who have been through it all before.

According to Ashlee Tenberge, Chair of the Australian Multiple Birth Association (of which the SSMBA is a branch), having two or more children start school at once can be challenging for families with multiples.

She said aside from the multiple sets of uniforms and supplies - and the budget that goes with it - class placement - whether to split them, or keep them together - was one of the biggest dilemmas faced by parents of multiples.

"The research indicates that parents are best placed to determine what will suit the individual needs of their children," Ms Tenberge said.

Amanda and Simon Adams are keeping their twins Arlen and Lewis together in the same class at Marton Public School at Engadine for practical reasons, and also because the transition to school is already a big step for the children.

Mrs Adams said even though they were twins, they were individuals who were looking forward to different aspects of school.

"Arlen is keen to use the computers and play with friends, while Lewis is most excited for the library and to play outside," she said.

"When they grow up, Arlen wants to work in a hospital or be an ambulance driver and Lewis wants to build houses or be a fireman."

Elizabeth and Tim Larson, whose twins Billy and Lochlan are beginning at Holy Family Catholic Primary School Menai, have decided to keep the children together because they are very close, and the couple felt it would help with a smoother transition into primary school.

Lochlan - who is looking forward to science experiments and making new friends - wants to be a policeman when he grows up, while Billy - who is looking forward to learning more about numbers and making new friends - aims to be a builder and a basketball player.

Lindsey Woodberry, whose twins Scarlett and Sienna Newland will begin at Brighton-Le-Sands Public School, has decided to place her children in the same class for their first year of school, but will likely split them after that.

She said the girls are very different. Scarlett is looking forward to learning more about different planets and also different countries and cultures, and wants to be a singer or a speech therapist when she grows up, wile Sienna is looking forward to learning to read and play sports, and hopes to become a dentist or a gymnastics teacher when she is older.

SSMBA President Danielle Hope said: "Many families joined the club when they were pregnant so sharing in these special milestones is magical for all. Each twin or triplets from SSMBA will be starting school with a school bag tag gift."

With approximately 4,500 multiple births in Australia each year, close to 9,000 twins, triplets or more are starting school in 2021.