Empty schoolbags are packed, lunchboxes are prepared and the roads feel busier than ever.

It's that time of year again: the start of another school term. 

There were smiles and nerves this morning as children in some parts of the country began their first ever day in a classroom. 

Cristina Marini gets her daughter Sophie Marini Lazarov (5) ready for her first day in St Matthew's National School in Sandymount | Image: RollingNews.ie

Sophie and sister Sara (8) sit beside each other on the way into school | Image: RollingNews.ie

Lacey Weldon (4) starts her first day in Junior Infants in Gardiner Street Convent School in Dublin | Image: RollingNews.ie

Pixie Belle Reilly (4) starts her first day at Gardiner Street Convent School | Image: RollingNews.ie

Laetitia Moisant and daughter Camille Ngoma (4) hug before leaving one another | Image: RollingNews.ie

Vanee and Owen Renghen (4) take a selfie at Gardiner Street Convent School | Image: RollingNews.ie

Pixie Belle Reilly (4) gets settled into class | Image: RollingNews.ie

Also at Gardiner Street Convent School, Amaris Soni (5) is ready to start her first day | Image: RollingNews.ie