Double trouble as seven sets of twins start school
Posted on 20 Aug 2024
Seven sets of twins are among the intake of new P1 pupils as teachers across North Ayrshire get ready to welcome all children for the new term.
Staff will be seeing double at: Annick, Elderbank and Glebe primary schools in Irvine; Mayfield Primary in Saltcoats and Whitehirst Park Primary in Kilwinning.
One set of twins has joined the roll at each school except Mayfield – where three sets of twins walked through the gates today (Tuesday, August 20) for the first time as pupils.
At Annick Primary, Liam and Callum Wilson, four, started lessons after attending Annick Nursery.
Mum Alysanne, dad Alex and big brother Jamie, seven are very proud, with Alysanne saying: “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!”
At Elderbank Primary, staff welcomed four-year-old brothers Alexander and George Mercer who also made the step up from Annick Nursery.
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.
Mum Chereen Conway and dad Stuart are excited for the girls, with Chereen saying: “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 1 and are very excited to be a Glebie. They love making new friends and been helping pick their uniforms and bags.”
At Whitehirst Park, 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 this morning. 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.”
Mayfield pair Harry and Lucy O'Connor, five, said goodbye to mum Aimee O’Connor and dad Anthony as they met their new classmates this morning after leaving Mayfield Early Years Class.
“Harry loves games, football and playing with his friends. Lucy loves arts and crafts, jewellery making, football and dancing. They are both very caring children Lucy is more imaginative and creative, where Harry is more methodical.
“They’re always aware if there is something wrong with the other twin - even when very far apart. We’re excited for their next chapter but sad that they are growing up so quickly,” said Aimee.
Holly and Willow Marston, five, are also new pupils at Mayfield and attended the Early Years Class.
Dad Che said: “They are 'opposite' twins. They have a different colour and length of hair, and have different heights. Willow likes to play quietly, and Holly likes to play with lots of noise.
“We are feeling very proud but also very sad as they will be our last children to go to Primary 1.”
Staff at Mayfield Primary also welcomed Mark and Edward Renor, five, to the school this morning.
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.”