First of all this isn’t a “we’ve broken up for the Summer Holidays post” as the girls still have two days left of school (getting up this morning was a struggle I admit!). But we’re getting there! Last week, Rebecca attended her Primary School Leavers’ Gala as she’s off to our local secondary school in September. I know she’s ready for this move and excited for the new opportunities at her new school but I can’t help feel like I’ve closed my eyes and somehow skipped a few of my girl’s precious junior school years.
I remember her first day at school. Looking back they are so young starting playgroup at two and nursery at three. I remember being most worried about her managing to go to the toilet on her own in school. At home you just go and you have a parent around to help you but at school there’s a series of steps you have to navigate. I told her to ask the teacher as soon as she needed to go and together we patiently practised pulling up and down those fiddly tights until she could just about manage independently. There were a number of days when the teacher would hand me an after school gift of a carrier bag of wet clothes but we got there eventually!
I wasn’t really worried about her socially or academically. Out of school she was always a little chatterbox. I loved her pre school days so much. We had a lovely time together first just us two (while Danny was in school) and then with a baby Caitlyn to care for. But in school she was very quiet. One day, a few months into school at the end of the day the teachers reported that she was finally starting to talk to them and the class now- I hadn’t realised it had taken her so long! Bless her! She made a best friend and a group of friends easily and they are all still amazing friends today. Rebecca and her friends are all very caring. We see this within our own family on a day to day basis. But also whenever Danny is in hospital she’s especially thoughtful towards him and also the other kids on the ward. Lot’s of parents have thanked us over the years for Rebecca cheering their poorly children up during long hospital stays but she genuinely loves playing with them and talking to them.
When we’re out locally together little kids often speak to her and whisper to their mums, “That’s the big girl who looks after me at Breakfast Club.” She’s such a sweetie. With her empathy comes worry and most evenings she’ll be thinking of a friend and wondering how to help them.
Rebecca’s year group were the first Year 6 at their new school so it was the first leavers’ event. We arrived at the school to a red carpet. We walked in and were offered a mock-tail and invited to view the gallery of photos and paintings of our year 6 children. We then went through to the hall for the entertainment and awards ceremony.
The projector displayed a montage of images of our well loved Year 6 pupils from babies through to pictures of them today. Year 6 then sang Make Your Own Kind of Music and the awards began.
It was an enjoyable evening listening to all the positive qualities and special talents held among this year group, some l already knew and others I was hearing for the first time.
Rebecca was awarded the Beautiful Bookworm Award. I was quite surprised by the fact she’s quiet while everyone else is talking (as she is still a chatterbox) but agree she is also always reading, drinking in all the knowledge she can. She also loves an adventure and is always planning her future travels.
“She is thoughtful, kind and a great friend; so many amazing attributes for a young girl!”
After the awards Year 6 sang “A Thousand years” which always makes me cry (and reminds me of the Twilight films!).
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more
Many of the leavers then went down to our local bowling alley for food, chat and play. Rebecca walked in looking so grown up and sophisticated in her gala dress but she was soon to be found in the soft play running around with her hair all over the place and I was relieved to see my little girl is still in there! I still love soft plays and hope she always keeps her sense of play and fun too!
It was a perfect evening- there was even vegan ice cream available! I’m going to pop in and try one during the summer holidays!
The kids didn’t want the night to end but sadly it was a school night. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of social events to enjoy with friends during Year 7- just remember to work hard too Rebecca!
Thanks to Rebecca’s teachers for all the support and encouragement that they have given her over the years!
Good luck to Rebecca, her friends and to all Year 6’s moving up to secondary school (big hugs to all the parents too!).
xxx
How lovely! I hope secondary school brings her as many friends and happy times.
Wonderful way to celebrate the primary school years – loving the dress and bow
She looks beautiful
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Thanks so much. She had a lovely night xxx
Great photos. Such a big step in their life. Great memories
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Thanks. Yes it is. I find the years go so quickly once they start secondary x