School’s Out for Summer!

Many children and teachers will be breathing a big sigh of relief now that it’s the end of the school year, and the start of the summer holidays – although many, my daughter included, will already have had a few weeks off, after finishing the GCSE exams!
Now is a good time to take some time to reflect on this ‘ending’. Life is made up of a series of endings and new beginnings. We look forward to new beginnings with excitement, anticipation and maybe a little fear, yet we don’t always take time to connect with the emotions involved in endings.
The end of the school year is so hectic, what with parties, proms, sports days, school trips, and so on, that the last few days often go past in a bit of a blur. My daughter had so carefully prepared for the last few days of ‘Year 11’ beforehand, but she still didn’t manage to speak to everyone she’d hoped to speak to, to say her final ‘Goodbyes’, or hugged everyone she wanted to hug, and it almost seemed like a bit of an anti-climax...
Perhaps we sometimes overlook the importance of the end of a school year – which is particularly significant when it means that it is the end of being in that particular school, with that particular teacher, or with that particular group of friends. I remember that my life was turned upside down when I left Middle School and had to start High School in a completely different class to any of my friends...
I’ve put together some questions that it might be worth thinking about if you have just finished school for the summer (or for ever!) – Or if you’re a parent, it might be worth reflecting on these with your children (taking their age into account – younger children would benefit from a more informal chat, I think).
Comments and feedback would be welcome!

End of the School Year

· How do you feel about the end of the year?

· How have you changed over this school year?

· What one word would you use to describe this last year?

· What’s been good about it?

· What’s been ‘not so good’ about it?

· How are you feeling about next year?

· What are your hopes for next year?

· What are you looking forward to?

· What are you worried about?

· What kind of help and support you will you need next year?

· How can you make sure you get this?

· What goals do you want to set yourself for next year?

· Now think of a positive phrase you can repeat to yourself throughout the year. Write it down:

· Tip: As a little project over the summer, you could create a book of memories, or a collage, of the last year – including memories of friends, funny moments, embarrassing moments, teachers who have inspired you, etc...

Finally, have a great summer!