Back in the Classroom – Awards Ceremony, Teddy Picnic and so we say Farewell

2014-12-10 | puppy1952

And so my last year of full time teaching has come to an end. I admit to having become just a tad emotional on a few occasions this week! But I live just two minutes from my school and they’re not getting rid of me that easily and even though Hubby and I have plans to seldom be at home, I am sure I will be popping in to help from time to time.

On Monday I had the honour of presenting the special awards to the Grade Threes at our Foundation Phase Awards Ceremony. What a thrill to see some of my past girls doing especially well.

Board of Governor’s Award

The winner of The Speaker Reader Trophy is the grandson of a very special person in my life and I also knew his late father who was at school with my daughter. Muriel, he is just so very much like his daddy and you can be as proud of Noah as you were of your special boy, Reagon.

After this, one of my past Grade Ones presented me with a bouquet of flowers, a gift voucher and a gold medal inscribed with MASTER EDUCATOR! Well I guess if you’ve been teaching on and off for 4 decades you do deserve a medal 🙂

Our Awards Ceremonies are lovely. Each teacher pre-records a message and as her children come up onto the stage, it is broadcast over the sound system. I love listening to everybody’s speeches and it is specially good to hear what they have to say about the ones you’ve taught in the past or got to know at sport or just from seeing them around. Here are my precious class proudly standing on stage with their certificates.

My class were last to be presented with their awards and at the end of my voice-over I continued with a brief thank you. What a lovely response I had to that – thank you everybody. I have posted my voice over at the end of this blog.

The girls didn’t come to school on Tuesday as it was the turn of the Intermediate phase to have their awards ceremony. It was my pleasure to take care of a Grade 4 class while they waited excitedly to be called.

Today we ended the term with Teddy Bear’s Picnic! The girls arrived in a great state of excitement armed with their amazing bears and also some gifts for me! I said, “You are all very naughty. You’re not supposed to spoil your teacher.”

“Oh yes, we are!” they chorused back.

Thank you moms and dads. Your gifts, cards and letters wishing me well in my retirement are much appreciated. I am posting just a few of the many photographs kindly taken by Teacher Assistant Carol.

The Girls, The Bears, Paddington and Me

What a lovely elephant!

Totally relaxed with my bear

One very spoilt teacher

We love our bears – we love each other!

A person’s a person no matter how small! The same goes for bears!

What a gorgeous cuddly leopard telling me how special I am!

Earlier in the day I was banished from the classroom so that the girls could create something special for me – A Card – I suspect has been put into my pigeon hole and I shall collect it tomorrow, last day for the teachers. While I was in the staffroom waiting to be allowed back in – I smelled an amazing aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Can’t be, I thought, as our machine is not working – but there was Danielle carrying a tray for one towards me – “Ek wil iets nice vir Ms Fenwick doen – want ek sal jou miss!” Nice – Danielle – that’s the nicest thing you could ever have done to this coffee starved teacher at 9 in the morning! I am hugely touched!

Danielle doing something nice for me

And that is what is so special about my school. Everybody from the top down cares and will go the extra mile for a child or a colleague.

Thank you to all the parents of all the children I have taught, for your support as teacher assistants, transporters to outings, providers of cakes for cake sales and for helping with homework and supporting me in every way. It has been a pleasure and privilege to be part of your children’s lives.

Voice-Over 2014

Precious girls– This year has been very special for me. From Day 1 I have savoured every moment knowing that it would be my last as a class teacher. Thank you for making it a special one.

You have been a class of diverse little characters and you will each, along with all the other little girls I have taught at Sun Valley, for ever hold a special place in my heart.

Jenna Cothill – Your persistence and positive risk taking has helped you overcome so much – well done my girl.
Jenna Cumming. Your display of wonderment and awe at everything new is inspiring. Keep enjoying every fresh moment of your life.
Montana – I will miss your quiet determination to succeed. Keep it up my clever girl.
Zoe – You may be small but you are full of character and everybody’s favourite. You go girl.
Olivia – clever, outgoing, spunky and full of fun – Hold on to that positive attitude.
Caitlin – You ask good questions and insist I teach you till you understand. You’ve kept me on my toes.
Amber G – beautiful girl well done for coming out tops. You are very special
Rachel – my creative dreamer – you have amazed me with your progress.
Feisty and determined Aphila – you have jumped hurdles and I am so proud of you.
Little Sam – persisting and taking positive risks – Never give up.
Tatum – so creative and full of energy – keep striving to do your best.
Tahila my quietly confident angel, I will miss your beautiful work. You go girl.
Precious Scarlet – full of inner strength – keep up the good work.
Linet – you have a strong character which will take you far – I am super proud of you.
Tenacious Tino – you have surpassed yourself – You have filled me with admiration.
Sierra breezing in daily with a positive attitude – you rock.
Leah – my deep thinking, smart girl – keep up the good work
Shaqayeq – beautiful, exotic and quietly brilliant – you have impressed me.
Mbali – my precious, feisty girl who has worked so very hard, you are an inspiration.
Sienna – my flexible thinker, you do not miss a beat and if I do, you are quick to set me right. Keep it up my girl.
Indyana – you think and communicate with clarity and precision while showing compassion for others – you are a very special girl.
Jennissa – your batteries are constantly charged and you are always ready for action. You go girl.
Sweet, talented Aniqah – keep reaching for your dreams – you have so much potential
Cassie you seem so often to be in your own world but you always come up with the right answers – well done my angel.
Gentle but determined Michaela – you have made strides this year. Keep it up special girl.
Amber T – you have strived for accuracy and produced beautiful work. You have made me proud.
Masintle my sweet, gentle girl, your calmness inspires sanity in me.
Julia you have worked well and impressed me with your independent thinking – I will miss your shy smile.
Faith what strides you have made this year. You blasted off slowly but at the end raced to the target. Well done sweet girl.
Zjonte you bounce into class with zest every day – I will miss your enthusiasm and energy.
Lucie – my creative, innovative and imaginative thinker – You have your own unique approach to your work – Keep on that path, girl.

And so girls, you have come to the end of your very first year of big school. Remember, if you dream it you can do it. YOU ARE FABULOUS. GIRL POWER TO YOU ALL.

And this is where I’m meant to stop but as this is my last Awards Ceremony I would like to take this opportunity to express my farewells. It has been my privilege to have had an 11 year association with Sun Valley School. First it was in the capacity of room parent, class rep and/or supply teacher. In 2011 I came for four months but stayed for almost four years!

I have had a chequered career in education for 4 decades and loved every minute and I am privileged to go out on a high note from this amazing school.

My colleagues in every grade have been awesome but the bond I have with my Grade colleagues now is beyond amazing. Lisa, you were there quietly supporting me as a gap when I arrived in 2011 and you’ve been an inspiring colleague. I really do want to be like you when I grow up. Bridgette you totally get me and help me keep my sense of humour, I will miss your wonderful laugh. Monique thank you for being my memory and relentlessly driving me to get things done weeks before deadline. Somehow you failed to see my advancing years and kept me young.

You guys rock and I can see that I will be drawn back to assist in the Grade One passage between trips across the planet.

Thank you to my amazing boss, Gavin for having me crew on this ship of exploration into the world of innovative education. The journey has been exciting, stimulating and adventurous. It has been the best trip of my life.

To everybody at the Sun Valley Group – children, parents, Estate staff, Admin, Exco and teaching staff. What a privilege it has been to be on this A team. I will miss you all. Farewell but not Goodbye

Back in the Classroom – Awards Ceremony and Last Day of Term

2013-12-05 | puppy1952

Monday dawned and the count down to the end of term began. I was to spend less than an hour with my girls before an intermediate phase colleague took over while I went to the hall to attend the Foundation Phase Awards Ceremony. My angels would be called in at the appropriate time to receive their awards. It is an emotional time. As the children file up onto the stage the pre-recorded voices of their teachers plays over the system. She/he tells of the years events and experiences and it can be quite tear jerking. This year I had a sentence or two to say about each child in the class. It is quite weird to hear your own voice as you present your learners with their pack of certificates. We are all dressed in our best bib and tucker, exposed to the scrutiny of the entire Foundation Phase Parent Body! Hopefully they like what the hear and see!

Presenting the awards to one of the angels

The proud angels

Here is a copy of my voice over.

My precious girls – can you remember that first exciting day of Big School? Some of you came in with great confidence and enthusiasm – school was irresistible from the start.

A few were a little more suspecting – I could see in your little eyes that you were wondering what you were letting yourselves in for but you were going to give it a go.

One or two were just terrified and didn’t want to let go of Mom or Dad’s hand. We even had a few tears and a couple of rather loud screams. But look at you now. All grown up and ready for Grade 2.

What a diverse class of characters you have been. You have all crept into my heart and it is with great difficulty that I am letting you go to your Grade 2 teacher.

Zayaan my quietly confident angel, who presents such beautiful work. You go girl

Kendra who seems to be dreaming but always has the right answer. I will miss you.

Sienna full of impatient curiosity making sure I don’t forget anything. What will I do without you.

Meaka your indomitable spirit is an inspiration to me. I am proud of you.

Rachel I will miss you bouncing into the classroom and keeping me on my toes.

Martha my precious, gentle girl who has worked so very hard, you are irresistible,

Iris my articulate and creative girl I will miss those beautifully intricate drawings of yours.

Pippa your sparkle and determination to succeed is awesome.

Delightful Lia articulate in two languages, you make me proud.

Gabriella my Nature Girl – we are kindred spirits.

Phillipa your determination and perseverance have helped you overcome so much – well done my girl.

Maya breezing in daily with your incredible ideas – you amaze me.

Hayley, fit and fast and full of potential I will miss you.

Leah with your infectious laugh and zest for fun – you always make me smile.

Caroline, my deep thinking, philanthropic girl, thank you for being a kind friend to the others girls.

Gentle Kiana as good as gold, you have worked so beautifully; go well my girl.

Beautiful Terima, so thoughtful and creative, with your own special approach to life, you have delighted me.

Feisty Kayla – you may be small but you have a mighty spirit and I am so proud of the strides you have made in your personal growth this year.

Gentle Jade with the sparkling eyes, your calmness inspires sanity in me.

Fedeilis, you are a special girl. Your determination to succeed has made me proud.

Dynamic Desire – you have a strong character which will take you far – I am super proud of you.

Charley – everybody’s friend – hardly a day went by without you greeting me with a four. You are truly inspirational.

Gentle Jocelyn you have crept right out of your shell and I will miss those special moments with you.

Tarryn my special girl – Thank you for helping me teach the girls their Afrikaans gediggies – you are a treasure.

Madison my clever girl, I will miss your beautiful work, your quiet smile and gentle spirit. You make me proud.

Isabella – wow – so full of energy and lightening on the race track – but controlled and determined in the classroom – you’you’ve come so far my girl.

Gina your batteries are constantly charged, you are full of good ideas and you have are always ready for action. Keep it up my angel.

Morgan you do not miss a beat and if I do, I have to contend with that awesome stare – You are a loyal friend and determined worker. Keep it up my girl.

Dynamite comes in small packages, Gemma your energy is infectious, you have all the answers and I would not even try to keep you down. I am super proud of you.

And last but by no means least – Precious Emma – you are tiny and still but full of inner strength. What strides you have made this year. You blasted off slowly but have raced to the target. Well done beautiful girl.

And so you have come to the end of your very first year in Big School. You have bonded and blended in. You have added your mark to the SVPS family and I know you will continue to find school irresistible.

Remember you are fabulous. Girl Power to you all.

The girls had a day off on Tuesday when the Intermediate Phase has their awards ceremony and the Foundation Phase teachers took care of the older children – Quite a different experience. I had Grade 4 and they were great, if a little impatient to get up on that stage. They were the last to be called and were super excited when they came out and then it was time to go home.

On Tuesday evening we had our Grade 7 valedictory. How beautiful all our young leaders looked as they were allowed to come in smart clothes instead of uniform. It was an emotionally charged ceremony as we watched a pre-recorded interview with a past pupil who had risen up from dire circumstances, come to our school from a war torn African country, worked hard and excelled and finally emigrated to the USA with his adopted family and is now highly successful in the Military. His message was heart-warming and inspiring.

On Wednesday it was the last day and the final farewell to our classes. My girls are all going up to the same Grade 2 teacher and they are thrilled about that. Once again the teacher was spoilt when the girls presented her with the most charming end of year gifts. But what touched me the most were the messages both from the girls and the parents. Those little accolades of appreciation mean so much. Parents it has been a privilege and pleasure teaching your girls. Thank you for your support throughout the year.

Cup cakes for the picnic

Just love this message

They know I like pretty things!

To pamper and spoil

Thanks Gina for the party packs!

And for spoiling the teacher

My girls really know what I like!

mmm Chocolate is an essential food group for teachers

Our final excitement was a teddy bear’s picnic. I brought paddington bear to school and showed them the story on Youtube. We played the music of The Teddy Bear’s Picnic and we feasted, danced and shared stories about our own bears.

A bear as big as me

I love my bears

An armful to cuddle

There was long story to this one

See them gaily gad about

As the picnic on their holiday

Room assistant Carol brough her bear too!

Mine hangs out with me

Birthday girl enjoys two bears

They’re my friends

Enjoying a story with our cuddly friends

So many bears so much fun

Woofles

Bush Baby

I couldn’t leave one behind

I had to choose just one

And when the sugar high kicked in the parents arrived to collect the girls. Not my favourite day of the year – but we must all move on. I shall miss you my precious girls. Go well in Grade 2.

Thanks to my wonderful Grade 1 colleagues for a fabulous year. You all keep me inspired – I love you guys!