Goodbye Year 6
Friday 17th July 2020
Dear lovely Year 6,
It’s time to say goodbye… for now.
Today was your last day at primary school and one of the things that really sticks with me is that this is not the way any of you should have ended your time with us. The last four months have been nothing like we would have ever imagined and as I said on the playground today, you will be missed so much and I for one am so proud of how resilient you have all been during this time. If you have come back to school or remained since March, I hope you have enjoyed yourself, although very different. It was fabulous to see so many of you, I certainly missed you all.
Although difficult, please try not to let the pandemic take from the wonderful years you have had at The Hayes. Remember how you felt on your first day in Reception or when you joined us later on – reminisce the fun on the playground or our sports days, music concerts or school trips. Your time at The Hayes is about so much more than the final months. You may not have taken your SATs, but your learning journey is about so much more than test results achieved in one hour, on one day, written by someone who doesn’t know you. We know if you had completed the tests, you would have broken all records because of the hard work and dedication you demonstrated in the first term and a half. You are indeed a very special group of children.
You are such wonderful, talented and special children and you have grown in such amazing ways during your time at The Hayes, developing into special and unique characters. We are all very proud of each and every one of you and I know your parents cannot fail to be proud of the wonderful individuals you have become since that first day you walked through the doors of our school. I was honoured to write a small paragraph in your report and also to read what your class teacher wrote about you. I felt proud of the things they wrote – keep being special, bursting with values and individuality, don’t ever change.
You are an amazing group of children and you deserve to have your Achievement Assembly, sometime in the near future. I hope this will be in September (after school or on a Saturday), but it all depends if it is safe to do it then – but we will do it at some point. We have to say goodbye and we must also hand out the many awards that we have for you, alongside watching all the photos from the past on the screen. It will happen!
Make the next chapter of your life really count - you have understood the importance of showing great learning behaviours, being kind and respectful to others and the overall importance of making the most of being in school. You are ready to start secondary school. Please remember: surround yourself with the right people, focus on what you want to achieve, be brave and don’t shy away from challenges. You have already shown tremendous resilience over this time, so do what matters most, even if it isn’t the easier option and be the best you can be.
Know that we’ll miss you- we will, more than you will ever know. Our children make the school what it is and this could not have happened without you. As individuals, you are so different yet, as a year group, you fit together and completely make sense. The biggest thing you have in common is that you are great children. I just wish we had longer with you all. You will always be part of The Hayes family. I feel very lucky and privileged to have been your Head Teacher for four years and look forward to seeing the wonderful people you will become in the future. Keep aiming high and reaching for the stars – there is no limit to what you can achieve making use of your many talents. Keep dreaming and believing because you are capable of whatever you set your minds to. I have been totally blown away by your amazingness, we have been privileged to have you at The Hayes, I truly mean that too.
Shelley Davies (Interim Director of Education) and Robert Henderson (Executive Director) have sent me a message to give to you:’in preparation for and during a race, Usain Bolt tells himself, “Don’t panic. Take your time, chip away and work your way back in”. This might be helpful for you as you prepare for the transition to your new secondary school. We appreciate that you have not had the usual opportunities for all the celebrations which your school will have planned for you, but don’t let that stop you from remembering all that you have achieved there. We are very proud of each and every one of you, and how well you have coped during this pandemic. We wish you every success for the future and encourage you to make the most of the opportunities you will have in your new school’.
And finally (from me), good luck- you will love secondary school but please don’t eat the same thing every day like I did in Year 7! I can’t wait to hear about how well you’re all doing- do keep in touch.
I look forward to seeing you again, soon. Stay safe, stay kind, please have fun with your new adventures and continue to work hard!
Love from Miss Slade x