The tears of some soon gave way to anticipation as they headed into the classroom.

Among those keen to get the day under way were Lauren Thornton, Oliver Kaluzyn and Bridie Lewis. The same anxiety was felt by 28 high-achieving pupils at Elizabeth Macarthur High School who made the leap from year 6 to year 7 for the school's first day as a selective school last Thursday.

``I always love seeing the kids on their first day back at school but today was especially enjoyable as we welcomed the first selective stream,'' principal Justina Barnier said.

Ms Barnier said half the staff had completed extensive training to prepare for the first group of gifted and talented students and the other half would complete the course out of school hours this year.

The selective students will be taught separately by the specially trained teachers but will share extracurricular classes, including sport.