First day of school for Miss M
Miss M has finally started school! And she’s VERY excited about it. “Finally! Now I’m really a big girl Mummy.”
Thursday was the Big Day, but there was none of the ‘anxious parent’ syndrome or teary, nervous child with separation anxiety for us… one of the things I love about Kinma is how easy the transition is for the kids. While it’s a little sad for me to see my baby going off to school, I am just so happy and excited for her that’s it’s difficult to linger long over what has now gone, when what is to come is so wonderful.
We arrived at school a little late (as usual!) and Miss M, on stepping out of the car, looked at me and said, “I already know all the kids don’t I Mummy? So I don’t need to make any new friends. Oh. Well, I’ll be fine then!” And she was. Within a few minutes, she had located her best friends, hugged Mel (her teacher) and skipped off to play.
Sir K wore his tiger suit to school – another thing I love about Kinma – and despite being reticent to have his photo taken or give either of us a kiss (he’s VERY 7), was pretty happy to be back at school and see his mates again.
Yet another thing I love about Kinma is that unlike other schools, with their ’stop, drop and go’ and ‘no parents past this point’ policies, parents are not only welcomed but invited to come into the school, stay for morning tea and participate in a wonderful welcoming ceremony and community circle. The circle this year was the largest I’ve seen it. Kinma is growing! So exciting.
We stayed until lunchtime, watching Miss M join in a whole school game, play in the playground, happily contribute to storytime and create a picture of a favourite holiday memory, before a very pleasant bushwalk to the creek for a play – all the while chatting with other parents and drinking tea. Lovely. I’m not sure who enjoys the first day back at school more – me or the kids!
