The last of Wagga’s students hung up their school bags yesterday in preparation and excitement for the next six weeks of summer holidays.
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It was a special moment for Year 6 students at South Wagga Public School who were saying their last goodbyes to their younger peers as they prepare to embark on their high school journeys.
Year 6 student Andy Owen, 12, said he was “feeling good” about school finishing and starting Year 7 at Mater Dei Catholic College.
“I’m excited to learn new subjects and meet a couple more friends,” Andy said.
“I’m not really nervous and on Boxing Day we’re going to Batemans Bay for a week.”
Abby Henman, one of Andy’s classmates, will be starting high school at The Riverina Anglican College next year.
“I’m looking forward to new opportunities, new sports, friends and new teachers and I’m feeling a bit nervous,” she said.
“We’re staying home for Christmas and then in January we’re off on a Carnival cruise around the Pacific Islands.”
Year 5/6 teacher Duncan Brodie said the last day of term is “always special”, especially for the Year 6 students.
“It’s been special as a Year 6 teacher to send the students off on the next phase of their journey, after having watched them grow from little kindies to right through,” Mr Brodie said.
“Teaching them all year and getting them ready for high school, you get to know the kids really well and develop relationships.
“To see them go is really sad because I see them everyday and hang out with them everyday, you get close with them but at the same time, I’m so proud to see them move on and I know that they’re ready, so that’s a proud thing for me.”
Mr Brodie said as part of the school’s tradition, Year 6 students gained access to climb their way up to the 160-year-old bell tower that is shut off all year round.
“I stay up at the bell tower for two hours as the students go up and down the 100-year-old ladder and experience a bit of the school’s history,” he said.
“They also have a guard of honour by all the other year levels as they leave the school and then the Year 6’s go and ring the bell one time for every year they’ve been at the school.
“It’s been a great day of excitement and with the school closing down we get to pack up all the kids’ artworks and pull them off the walls so they can take them home and show their families.”
Mr Brodie said the holidays are also a chance for the teachers to have a well deserved break.
“As teachers we work really hard all year for these students and by the end of the year, it’s interesting, because we’ve done so much but when we look back and reflect on all our achievements we’ve had,” he said.
“It’s really cool to see what we’ve done and winding down for a good Christmas holiday and break and rejuvenate to get ready for the next year.”