Torrevieja hears the school bell again as more than 17,000 students start the new academic year

Today Torrevieja gets back into the rhythm of school. This academic year, 17,002 students are enrolled across the municipality, from the youngest children to Conservatory students. And during August, the local Education Department processed 303 late school enrolments. In a city that continues to grow, those numbers tell their own story.

And, naturally, the first day of school has not been entirely free of small organisational adventures.

In some cases, it turned out that there were not enough seats on the school bus for everyone, even though the journey between home and school was only a few kilometres. So some parents had the chance to revive a classic family tradition:

“Come on, get in the car. I’ll drive you.”

But Torrevieja is certainly not alone.

Spain's first day of school has produced some rather remarkable stories this year. In Dueñas, in Palencia, the situation has been almost the exact opposite: around 200 students and their families have refused to board the school buses. For the fourth consecutive school year, children from the town have to travel to another municipality because Dueñas still does not have its own school. Parents are demanding that the promised school finally be built.

And in Segovia, some pupils have started the new academic year practically in the middle of a building site. At La Aneja school, renovation work in the playgrounds is still under way, so the welcome ceremony for students had to be moved to the nearby Zuloaga Gardens. The works are expected to be completed on 1 October.

So Torrevieja can consider itself relatively lucky. At least the school buses are there. Admittedly, every September they provide a useful reminder that starting a new school year is not just about timetables, classrooms and registers. It is also about making sure everyone actually gets where they are supposed to go.

And sometimes the battle with September's transport chaos can continue well into October.

In some Torrevieja schools, the start of the year has also coincided with organisational changes, including changes in school management practically on the eve of the new term. For parents and students who have encountered a little confusion during these first few days, patience is probably the best advice.

Let us hope these are simply the small glitches that occur when something much bigger gets under way. In a few days, buses, timetables, classrooms, student lists and new management teams should all get properly acquainted — and start working together.

Because there is something special about the first day of school. Children are nervous. Parents are nervous. Teachers are nervous.

And the school bus, apparently the calmest of them all, seems to be saying:

“The important thing is that everyone gets on. We’ll work out the rest later.”

Happy new school year, Torrevieja. May it bring success to the students, peace of mind to their families and plenty of patience to their teachers.