News / Nunn Road / 2013 / November 2013

Two Fridays ago on the 15^th of November, we had the graduation ceremony for the 4 six year old children.  As usual, practices for the speeches, poems, songs and musical performances started right after our Harvest Festival.  As the 4 six-year-olds practised enthusiastically, the younger ones cooperated and practised with them diligently and earnestly.

On the Thursday afternoon before the graduation, Teacher Kerry and I transformed the classroom by decorating it. On the morning of the big day, we added some final touches to the place and finally the room was ready. 

One by one the children came in and they were pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful room adorned with flowers.  Each of their faces beamed with awe.

 While waiting, the younger children played in the Japanese class.  Only the graduating children stayed back in the class to get ready. They had their corsages pinned on, put on their star crowns and got the handmade musical instruments ready.

After the arrival of their parents and Teacher Junko, the graduating children took charge of the day by reciting poems, delivering meaningful speeches and singing action songs while playing on their handmade musical instruments. 

They invited first the 5 years old children to perform and played a game with them.  To the 3 and 4 years old, they invited them to sing a song together with them.  It was delightful to watch the younger children collaborating with their ‘ko-ko’ and ‘che-che’ so readily and confidently.  Throughout the long ceremony, they tried to sit as quietly as possible and whenever the occasion required them to say something to their ‘ko-ko’ can ‘che-che’, they congratulated them lovingly.

The ceremony went on smoothly for an hour, after which the graduates thanked all the teachers in Nania for their love and guidance.

Words cannot describe what Teacher Kerry and I feel each graduation day. On the one hand we are blessed to have them come into our lives but on the other hand, it makes us sad to think that these children are finally going to leave us after all the wonderful days that we have spent together.

To the parents of our dear graduates; we thank you for your meaningful sharing of your child’s experiences with us. We also truly appreciate the significant role you play in nurturing them.  We are glad that all of you have noticed them as they gained in confidence, in developing caring attitudes towards others and in all the other positive attitudes after coming here.

To these 4 graduates, Teacher Kerry and I love you and will always remember you.  We cherish each and every moment that we have spent together.  We are glad to have been given the opportunity to be your early childhood teacher and be part of your growing up years.  You have graduated and are moving on to another milestone of your life.  May you be courageous when you take on the many challenges that you will face in your Primary Year 1 next year.

Teacher Nora