A letter to Zachary at the end of Year 1 – Mummascribbles

Dear Zachary,

Another blooming year has flown by and today is your last day in Year 1. I simply cannot believe it.

I remember going back after the Summer holidays and you were so excited. I was worried the change would be too much for you. You had confessed to me that you worried about how different Year 1 would be because you loved how much you got to play during your Reception year, and I wasn’t sure how you would take to it.

I didn’t need to worry though, because from the moment you walked into your new classroom, you never looked back.

And throughout Year 1, you have thrived. You have become such a confident class member and you have a huge amount of friends.

Even though sometimes when you get up in the morning and remember that you have to go to school, you moan. Even though it can be a battle to get you into your uniform, teeth brushed and out the door. When you get to school, there is no doubt in my mind that you are happy to be there. When you see your friends in the playground, when you see them waving through the classroom window as they approach, when you see that they are all up and having their morning dance with your teacher – you are absolutely happy to be going in there and getting your day under way.

It’s funny, because there are days that you want me to walk you round to class, and days where you are happy for me to leave you at the gate inside the playground. You often go running off, book-bag bouncing off your legs, water in hand, and a big beaming smile on your face. But on those other days, a kiss and a cuddle outside your classroom is what you want.

You have done a number of after school clubs in Year 1. You started out with football but we soon discovered that wasn’t for you. Then you did multi-skills which you absolutely loved. Next up was gymnastics – this bored you despite having spent a year going to an actual gymnastics club before you started school. And then came scootability which you adored because you had just started absolutely loving scooting to school.

You scoot to school pretty much every day. It is your thing. Your friends know your scooter is in the playground 99% of the time. In fact, the only time it’s not is if it’s raining loads, or if you have a school trip and we aren’t quite sure when you are going to be back (I don’t like leaving it around in an empty playground). You just love scooting.

And speaking of school trips – you have been on a couple this year. First up was the trip to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. I remember going there myself as a school child, and you had a fab time just like I did. And the next trip was just last week when you went to the seaside. You declared that the best day ever and I know you had an absolutely fab time. Especially when you got to take a train trip down the pier and later informed me that it is the biggest pier in the world. And when you fell asleep on the coach back!

You got on super well with your teacher this year. You have been a big fan of hers and I know that you are going to miss her. That said, I know you are super excited about who your teacher is next year – and so am I.

Your school report came home on Monday and I honestly couldn’t have been more proud. Exceeding or expected in every single area. Your reading and writing has improved hugely over the last few months, and you have got pretty good at maths too. Science is something you are super interested in, both at home and in school, and it seems apparent that you carry your love of performing arts into the classroom (and assemblies) as well. Oh, and did I mention that you got full marks in your Phonics screening test? Oh yes you did!

But do you know what. As much as that is all fabulous and important, what really struck me were the words that were written about you – not only from your teacher, but from the head as well. Your teacher said:

It has been a pleasure to teach Zachary this year. He is a polite boy who listens well and always follows the school rules. Zachary has many friends in our class because he always shows kindness towards others. Children feel safe around him and often ask him for help. He is a role model for other children in both his attitude to learning and his conduct around school.

And your headteacher said:

Zachary, I am not at all surprised to read that you have been a pleasure to teach because you always make my day whenever I see you around school.

It was those words from those two people that had me in tears reading the report!

So here we are at the end of another year. A year in which parenting you has been blimming tough, but one in which I have been so proud of you for so many different reasons. As you head into Year 2, it’ll be interesting to see the changes that come with it. For one, your class is changing. They are mixing you back up again and you are going to be with different peers to who you have spent the last two years with. I think it’s going to be great for you – making even more friends. But we never know what changes like this will do to you kids! And secondly, I know that Year 2 is where the hard work starts. Reception to Year 1 was a jump, but I feel like going onto Year 2 could be a huge jump. But I have no doubt that however big that leap is, you will jumping right into it.

Well done on a fabulous year at school Zachary.

Love Mummy.

xx