Betsy and Miss Bostock

Betsy leaves Primary School today. Wev'e all been dreading today a bit as it seems so sad, but it turned out to be one of the happiest and most fun days she can remember.

She started the day with her best friend texting her to tell her that she had got a place at the same school as Betsy - she's been on the waiting list for four months and finally got a place. They walk to school together every day, and went off all smiles for what turned out not to be the last time after all.

They had a fun morning, mucking about and signing each other's shirts. Then put clean shirts on for the Leaver's Assembly. They all get presented with a certificate and a pen, and then sing some songs. They also nominate four or five children for awards - there is no single winner - and Betsy got named for both the Sports Award and for the Performing Arts Award. Add this to the fact that yesterday she was voted by her classmates as 'Most Sociable' and 'Best Smile' and she was absolutley thrilled. They sang a song from the Leaver's Play, in which Betsy had a few solo lines, so she got to sing up on the stage with a few of her fellow pirates.

They then sang 'Farewell to Stanley Primary' and 'Forever Friends'. They started signing with their backs to the parents, then turned around half way through. It would have been emotional enough, but when they turned around, at least two thirds of them were either crying, or trying not to. It was very sweet and moving and I felt totally choked.

They then went off for their Leavers Party on the field, inflatable slides, sweets, lollies and a huge foam finale. I got there in time for the foam, Betsy said it was all amazing fun. They were all soaked and filthy.

In this picture, Betsy had just got changed. She's with her teacher, Miss Bostock, for whom this was her first year teaching. She has been a really fabulous teacher and all of the children adore her. Betsy's classmates are particularly close to each other, and always describe themselves as being like a family. Betsy says they all eat lunch together and hang out at playtime together as one massive group which apparently is very unusual. I'm sure Miss Bostock's teaching is a huge contributing factor to how close they all feel as though she's very new she's very good at dealing with conflict and resolving any squabbles. Betsy loves her - so obviously I do too.

After school we went to the Red Lion Pub (apparently last year one of the parents got into a fist fight with one of the teachers there and it was all captured on CCTV but that's a whole other story). The rain that I had been hearing about all morning never arrived, and eventually the entire pub garden was filled with Year 6 children, their siblings and their parents. Chris came down for 'one' and we ended up staying until 7.30, the children all playing together loudly but harmoniously. There must have been forty Stanley kids there. Betsy said that it was the best part of the entire day.

I'm so happy for Betsy. She is sad to leave but it only shows how happy she has been there. Tomorrow - holidays.