I remember the first day the children started in Foundation 1 all too well, and how excited we all were to begin a new year. The start of a new school year can be one of mixed emotions, especially for the children and parents starting in a new setting. Children often feel as if their parents will leave them at this unknown place, never to return, while parents feel emotionally overwhelmed having to leave their child behind.
However, children are extremely resilient and with the right guidance, can settle quickly into a routine, which helps them develop their independence and confidence to tackle any difficult situation. This is very much the case for the children in Foundation 1 this year.
Foundation 1 was a time to develop their personal, social and emotional wellbeing by implementing routines. It was a time to forge relationships with their peers and teachers, and for trust to develop. This year, the children acquired a new language; learning and speaking in English, which must have been a daunting task for some. The children learned how to take risks in their physical play; challenging themselves to jump further than they have done before. In Foundation 1, it was a time to develop the skills to problem solve, so children can think independently and creatively. Next year, Foundation 2 will build upon all these skills and develop other important aspects of learning, such as reading and writing independently.
One cannot express how proud we are of these children and what they have achieved this year. It has been a privilege to be part of their learning journey and more importantly helping them to build the foundations that will now take them to new heights, as they enter Foundation 2. We congratulate the Foundation 1 class of 2017 for their hard work and resilience this year. We send them off with the loudest praise for their achievements and wish them all the best for what the future holds for them.