At just six months old, River was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer with her body taken over by tumours.

To make her predicament worse, River’s immune system went into overdrive as it tried to fight off the cancer, causing an additional illness to shut down her organs.

She was dying.

But after five months of intense treatment at The Royal Children’s Hospital, River was sent home in March 2021.

Now, the five-year-old will begin prep at St James Catholic Primary School in Brighton.

“She’s so full of life, she is just amazing,” her mother Julia Hernan said.

“She’s so strong, incredible, funny and sassy. I’ve never seen a child more excited to start school.”

River and just seven other preps will join about 133 students at the tiny school.

Principal Carmelina Corio said it was “one big family”.

“Everyone knows everyone. It’s a beautiful community where we all support one another,” she said.

“This is something to celebrate, that River has achieved this milestone and starting her learning journey.”

Despite the smiles, Ms Hernan said the last few years had been tough since River’s diagnosis of stage four anaplastic large cell lymphoma and ­hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

“The first year after River finished treatment, we had to be really careful with her because of her (lack of) immunity,” she said.

“It was stressful. If she got a cold, she would have to go back to the hospital.”

River is the last sibling – after Grace, 9, Charlotte, 15, and Blake, 17 – to start her schooling adventure.

“I just cannot tell you how much of a dream come true it is for her to just make it to school,” her mum said. “I don’t want to be dramatic, but it just seemed like this impossible dream and it’s come true.”

Next month, River will be celebrating five years since completing her treatment and ringing the cancer bell.

“She still gets checks ­because of the amount of chemotherapy she had, it’s ­almost unprecedented,” Ms Hernan said.

“She’s still in remission and she most likely won’t be able to have children.

“Sometimes she will be like ‘I’m scared’ but then she will be like ‘No, I am so brave, I beat cancer’.”

Ms Hernan said their lives were “richer” as a result of what they had all been through with River.

“We value our lives more and the people we love,” she said.

“If you spend a few days in our house, you’ll see, play dates, games, dinners, laughter, days in the pool and dinners with blood relatives and chosen family. We are eternally grateful for the RCH team, who saved her life.

“It will be the best part of my day watching my youngest two walking, holding hands, to school so happy. I’m so grateful I get to see it.”