The Final Last Day of Primary School

The title of this post might seem odd, but I have been here before.  I have had three last days of primary school with my three sons but this week sees the final last day of primary school as my daughter, my youngest child says goodbye to the place that has been her second home for the last six years.

It is emotional.  I feel sad.  I feel happy.

Sad because it is the end of an era.

Sad because Coronavirus stole aways four precious months of her last term and took away those lovely end of term experiences that are so important when you are moving on.

Sad because she is my baby and she is heading off to secondary school with her head held high.

Sad because I know that the incredible relationship you have as a parent with your children’s primary teachers is gone and it is time to let my last child go off and make her own way.

But I also feel happy and grateful.

Grateful that inspite of the insanity of the last few months, my daughter was able to go back to school for the last few days, see her friends, say her goodbyes.  At one point it didn’t seem likely and that her last few weeks of school would be sat at the kitchen table with me.  So I am really grateful that she managed some sort of celebration of six years at primary school.

I am happy that she is an amazing young lady.  Part of that is due to the fact that she has been part of such a fantastic school for all this time.  But a lot of it is down to her.  She is ready for the next chapter and even if I’m not quite on the same page yet, I know that her new school will be brilliant for her and she will flourish there.

But mostly I am happy that she and her brothers had the opportunity to have such a brilliant start to their school lives.  I have been rocking up to that school now for 11 years.  That is a long time.  We chose the school when my older teen was struggling in Reception at our local school.  I went around lots of schools and this school jumped out at me.  I knew it was the right choice for my children, it was a small village school and there was a warm, nurturing feel to it which I knew was what my fragile son needed and also his brother who was a school year behind him and born right at the end of the school year.

I made the right choice.

They both flourished there.  For my daughter, there have been some tough times.  Girls can be trickier and friendships have caused some tears over the years.  In every other way though, she has had some incredible opportunities and experiences and she really should be so proud of what she has achieved.

So as I brace myself to go and pick her up for one final time, say my thank yous and goodbyes, I don’t feel ready at all.  There is a part of me that knows how quickly she will change and grow up once in the new school and I would love to keep her there for another year or two.

But life goes on doesn’t it?  We have to accept that our children are growing up and that they don’t need us as much. We will still see the first school every day as her middle school is up the road.  Before long, she will have moved on and won’t even notice it but  I know I will always glance at it and secretly. silently smile to myself.