Goodbye Secondary School



I had to take the tall child to school this afternoon. A short trip to hand in her text books, all wrapped up in a carrier bag emblazoned with her name and form, which had to be deposited in a specific location in the school hall. Preventative measures in these difficult times.

We arrived at school in the rain, to be greeted by a few school buses waiting to collect the current students to take them home. The school car park was full as the school is also being used as a pharmacy distribution centre, but I managed to squeeze the car in between the parking bays. N popped into school to drop off her books as I watched the rain run down the windscreen. 

Looking at the school buildings, it made me realise this is probably the last time N will be in school (maybe for a socially distanced results day). This is the end of her school life, brought to an abrupt close by the coronavirus pandemic. It seems a long time ago since the little 4 year old, dressed in an oversized sweatshirt with book bag, headed off on her first day at school. Now, with cancelled A levels and a furloughed Saturday job, she is at a crossroads in her life. Like many year 13s, it is the end of her school career and the start of the next stage of her life.

She jumped in the car ready to head home. "This will be your last day at school" I said. "Probably not" she replied in a matter-of-fact sort of way "I'll be back to collect my results" and I started the car and headed for home. Goodbye Secondary School. Thanks for everything.




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