Lately, I have been thinking a lot about transition, about change. As another school year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year gone by. I think about the services, the Christmas performances, the celebration assemblies, the Easter Fair, school trips, reports and all the highs and lows that the children have experienced. I think about how they have grown, what they have learned and the friends they have made.
For me, this year is especially poignant as one of my kids will go to ‘Comp’ in September. I am feeling quite sentimental about her journey through Stanhope Barrington…I remember catching sight of her when she was three, together with four or five of her peers, huddled around Mrs Stidwell who was reading a storybook on a glorious summer day and I remember feeling so thankful that she was at a school that would nurture her, really nurture her. I think about jolly phonics workbooks and the steady stream of Biff and Chip books. I think about how her confidence developed with Mrs Howes. I think about how worried she was when she went up to class 3 but then watched as she thrived because Mrs Cross just knew how to develop her potential. She was nurtured and cared for throughout her seven years at Stanhope Barrington. She was really challenged and was offered a wide variety of experiences but, alas, it is time to say goodbye. It is time for a new chapter and for all new opportunities and experiences. She will transition, we will adjust and adapt but she will always carry the warm memories of Stanhope Barrington and the exceptional teachers that nurtured her potential both in the classroom and out of the classroom and, for that, I will be forever grateful.
Some of the Year 6 children have induction days on 11-13 July and on Wednesday, 12 July it is change over day at school where all the children will spend some time in the class they will join in September to help ease their transition. Good luck to everyone as they take their next steps…
