I honestly can’t believe we’re here at the last day of Year 8. Having taught a lot of you since year 6, I feel like the time has just disappeared. I am so proud of the kind, caring, supportive young adults you’ve become. You are all more than ready for the challenges ahead of you at Upper School. Even though, I sometimes find it hard not to still think of you as my year 6’s playing the Viking board games or entertaining me with cups songs at lunchtime. One moment, you were the students who were waiting in the Hall to go on our residential to Kilve Court and in the blink of an eye, I have 150 young adults ready to go onto the Upper School to start the next stage of their journey.
Two years ago, before your Year 6 SATS, though you may not remember, I read this poem to you, and I felt it was the perfect time to read it again. It expressive how I feel about all of you and the amazing talents and potential you all have. It’s called “More Than a Number.”
I am quiet in the classroom.
I don’t always raise my hand.
I don’t always answer questions.
I don’t always understand.
But I always have ideas
when I stare up at the sky.
My sister likes to tease me
for always asking, “Why?”
I am more than a number.
I am more than a grade.
I know the constellations.
Here’s a painting I made.
I read books in my closet.
I will not be a ‘2’.
I am more than a number.
I’m a person just like you.
I speak one language here
and another in my home.
I daydream in both languages
whenever I’m alone.
I’m good at climbing trees
Moms teaching me to sew.
I am full of secrets
a test can never know.
I am more than a number.
Watch me fold this plane.
I snuggle with my beagle.
There’s music in my brain.
Someday I’ll go to Egypt.
I will never be a ‘2’.
I am more than a number.
I’m a person just like you.
If you think I can be measured
by numbers on a screen…
…if my whole school becomes a test
where will I learn to dream?
I love to do hard problems.
I write stories, and I laugh.
My gifts are so much greater
than the data on your graph.
I’m more than a number.
I invent things when I play.
I collect shells and fossils.
Please listen when I say
I will not be a ‘1’–
a ‘2’, a ‘3’, or a ‘4’.
I am me. I’m a mystery.
I’m a child – not a score.
I hope so much over your time with us, that you know we have appreciated all the amazing talents and characters that you each have and want more than anything for you to start the next stage of your education confident, resilient teenagers ready for an exciting, bright future.
Why not take a look back at some of the photos from your time.
Here are just a few photos from today.
