THE first day of school is a big day in any parent’s life – so imagine that feeling multiplied by three.

Today, the Pontypool triplets – Ffion, Maddison and Paige Gilbert – will be attending their first day of nursery school.

The girls, who turned three last month, will be joining their big sister Faye at Pontypool’s George Street Primary School.

“The girls are excited for school. I have hung their uniforms up and every time they see it they say ‘school school’. They must be excited,” said mum Karen Gilbert, 35, of Wainfelin Avenue, Pontypool.

“I’ve told them that it is big school nursery as they have been to Osbourne Lodge nursery in Pontypool. It helps have Faye with them as well and hopefully they will be able to see each other on the yard.”

Mrs Gilbert and her husband, Ian, have continued their colour-coding of the triplets’ garments, and have informed the school of the situation.

“We have continued our colour-coding of hairbands and hair bobbles – Ffion has a fuchsia colour, a mint colour for Maddison and a purple colour for Paige,” she said.

“They have their colours since babies and we have informed the teachers about this as well. The girls have their names on their cardigans to help reduce the chance of any confusion, but obviously they cannot wear those all day.”

Mrs Gilbert added that she feels surprised that her trio’s first day of school has arrived so quickly, as she remembers bringing them home for the first time, but is excited herself for Thursday.

“It is a bit overwhelming to think that their first day of school has arrived – I can remember bringing them back for the first time as if it were yesterday,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to having time for myself. I am going to miss them terribly obviously as it will be the first time they’ve been away for a longer section of the day.

“On that first day, I’m going to do nothing except catch up with housework, friends and reading. A hot cup of tea and biscuit already has my name on it,” added Mrs Gilbert.