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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Year 6 leavers 2020

55 replies

Annierose293 · 10/07/2020 07:19

I just wondered what everyone's experience of this has been this summer with the difficult situation?
I know it will be different for different schools, depending on the size of the school etc, but due to the space restrictions only a certain number of my DC's Y6 class were allowed to return early June (more returned than didn't though).

My DC couldn't have returned due to shielding my youngest DC, but there were some that wanted to go back but were unable to.

For those of you in this situation, how have the leavers assemblies worked? Has this been done virtually with those at home being invited to Zoom with the class?
Have those at home being invited in to sign end of school books etc, and how has this worked with the current situation?

I feel so sorry for both the children and the staff.
The staff have done their best to include all children in what has been an impossible situation.

My DC is thankfully looking forward to high school in September, (the high school staff have been amazing too, putting them at ease through virtual meetings).

I just feel so emotional about the way it has turned out.
My DC actually had his last day at primary school in mid March.
I have such clear memories of my own last day at primary school, and I feel sad that they have been denied that, albeit no-one's fault.

I just wondered what others experiences were and how they feel about it?

OP posts:
MsTSwift · 10/07/2020 07:24

We mourned this in March and after a few tears got our heads round that

No production
No leavers assembly
No leavers disco

We are considering some outdoor drinks at a local sports club but rumblings that many think that’s risky and inappropriate and breaks the no gathering of 30 plus rule.

It’s utterly shit. Dd watched every other year graduating and was so excited this year was her turn and it’s an utter damp squib.

megletthesecond · 10/07/2020 07:25

My DD's year 6 never went back. The school are going get then back together in a few months / next year and do a leavers assembly.

They're popping up to school to get a mug and they've done a page for their virtual year book. No big do this year.

megletthesecond · 10/07/2020 07:26

to get them back together too early to type.

EatDessertFirst · 10/07/2020 07:30

Nothing here. DD isn't bothered and nor am I. I think too much emphasis is put on 'graduating' and the proms, assemblies etc that go with it, especially by some parents. They are moving to a new, beneficial life stage to continue their education and development. Its not something to get all uppity about because darling Penelope hasn't got her chance to dress up.

Original poster
Annierose293 · 10/07/2020 07:36

I agree. It's not so much about the end of year prom, but just the sense of knowing it was the last day, being made a fuss of etc.
My DC's last day back in March was a normal day. We had no idea it would be the last day.
I didn't have a prom (it wasn't a thing then), but the memories of my last day are really clear.
However, we're not dwelling on it now.
It's all about moving forward.

OP posts:
Namechanged67 · 10/07/2020 07:44

My DS had his school residential trip cancelled too. Its a right of passage-first time away without family. Feel so sorry for them. No leavers disco etc. He has been back at school though and has loved the small groups. School have ordered hoodies but they are not allowed to write on them. An afternoon tea is being arranged and the parents are going to line the exit and clap them out!

emmiemms · 10/07/2020 07:44

@EatDessertFirst but to many children and parents it does mean a lot. Children will have seen their older siblings celebrate their last days and would have looked forward to doing the same.

Many children separate from their first set of real friends too and leavers discos, plays etc would provide lovely memories for them.

The whole situation is just so frustrating.

Realityofsen · 10/07/2020 07:46

My DD isn't in year 6 but I have seen what her school have done..

They have the leavers ceremony towards the end of October scheduled in.

Next Friday all 90 are in. The school have hired a bug projector and they are doing a leaving assembly on the field and doing a picnic.

Last week they had each class in a different day after school for an hour for some sort of event socially distanced to reflect.

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/07/2020 07:54

Dds former school did something for the yr6 on the playing field. I only know this because I saw the parents (not socially distancing) peering through the fence, where there’s a gap in the trees. Apart from this, I have been told by one of the parents there was nothing. Residential and end of year celebrations cancelled.

Playdoughcaterpillar · 10/07/2020 07:55

We're having a pod party/disco in the playground one evening next week. They've done mini productions in their pods that will be filmed and put together in a video and then sent out for parents to see. We've organised hoodies and yearbooks as usual and the vast majority have been back in school since mid June. But my DD is very disappointed not to have the proper performance and the PGL weekend was cancelled too. I remember my last day vividly too. I'm glad they are doing something to mark it and secretly glad I don't have to sit and weep through a leavers assembly!

MrsBobDylan · 10/07/2020 07:55

I wish this had been last year as DS found the whole leavers process excruciating (he has social anxiety).

It is really sad for the kids who enjoy the process but I honestly think the whole thing is too much. When I left primary school I was glad to go and a load of discos, hoodies, final assemblies, awards etc would have made me even more miserable.

PablosHoney · 10/07/2020 07:58

My year 6’s teacher filmed their play for us, PGL was cancelled, no church service as far as I’m aware but they are getting to watch a film outside and go through a balloon arch when they leave but no party afterwards.

SushiGo · 10/07/2020 07:58

We are having leavers assembly outside and a picnic. They've got the hoodies as usual and the leavers play is being put together as lots of filmed snippets.

Really appreciate the effort the school has made to do something positive for the kids and make the best of it.

ColouringPencils · 10/07/2020 08:05

I think it is sad and it's pretty mean to tell people not to be 'uppity'. These kids have spent their formative years in a class with 29 others, many of whom they might not see again. Even if they stay together for secondary, the dynamic changes. It's not about the prom or whatever (our school doesn't do a prom but has other treats), but marking a significant milestone and the end of something. I can still remember my last day in year 6. It is right to recognise their loss and that this is important to them.

oopsiedaisy2 · 10/07/2020 08:11

It's horrible for them isn't it . My DD has a hoodie and a book but nothing else. They get to all be in school one day next week but not allowed to mix , no leavers assembly or anything . Just so sad for them .

PablosHoney · 10/07/2020 08:14

It is sad for them, everything is extra sensitive at this time as well so calling people uppity isn’t really helpful

MsTSwift · 10/07/2020 08:24

I imagine that poster the sort who eye rolls about celebrating birthdays etc the Puritans called they want you back 🙄

Namechanged67 · 10/07/2020 08:30

I'm 52 and I remember my last day at primary. I drew pictures of my teachers in a little book and got them to sign it. Some wrote lovely messages. Still got it!

Charleyhorses · 10/07/2020 08:43

It is such a shame. Dd got two in theory. Left lower school at the end of year 4 (they go to Middle School) and I took her out for the day. It's the full emotional assembly with everyone sobbing. We moved and she went to a primary for years 5 And 6 and that was much better. School play, party in the local park, hoodie and a church assembly with a handshake from the head teacher and the vicar. Not a year in sight.
It would have been gutting to miss that and she was only there 2 years.
Almost every child moves from the primary to the secondary here but I think there is a plan to do some of it in the autumn term, e.g. party in the local hall when it's allowed.

Kitsandkids · 10/07/2020 08:44

Mine leaves today. I think about half the year group went back on 1 June, but as far as I know they were all invited. They got a free leavers hoodie when they first went back and had a party together on the field earlier this week. But no leavers residential, assembly or awards ceremony like in previous years which is quite sad for them. But I think the teachers have been doing a good job this week of making it special for the ones who came back in June.

PablosHoney · 10/07/2020 08:48

Descendants of old Olly Cromwell 😂😂

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 10/07/2020 08:49

Ours never went back. School have seemed uninterested, parents have organised hoodies. No gatherings as it’s not currently within the rules.

Just trying to look forward with DS to new school, rather than thinking about what he’s leaving.

Castiel07 · 10/07/2020 08:50

My yr 6 child has gone back 2 days a week, she has a school hoodie and a year book.
Also on the last day they are doing a themed activity with games and ice cream.
And because they are in two bubbles they are doing a video of all the kids so they can say good bye and see each other.
Can not fault the school they have been amazing.

RedAndGreenPlaid · 10/07/2020 10:49

We're fortunate in that the last day of term had been designated as an INSET day, so Y6 have all been invited in for a Leavers' celebration by themselves on that last day. They'll get their hoodies and yearbooks, and have leavers' assembly followed by a picnic on the field and probably rounders if it's not raining. (Is that likely though? Grin)

Their HT is retiring too, so it's quite a momentous occasion for the teachers too. Only about 25% of his year have been back in school since Y6 we're allowed to return, and those are mostly key workers' children anyway.

I think DS came to terms with missing his residential, year group play, voluntary service, concert, party, etc etc back in March (the residential were due to go on 23rd March!) and he's definitely looking forward to secondary school immensely.

It's been hard for me though this time, as he's my youngest, and I've been doing this school run for so long (the route is an absolute horror, and I've not missed it one bit in lockdown) I'm just feeling very emotional about it all this time round. All his uniform has been washed and de-labelled ready to go into the school shop, and it really is the end of an era for our family.

Acdmm41 · 10/07/2020 11:02

My DD has been back since 8/6 and even though residential and assembly are cancelled the school have been great and they are having their own sports day, a miniature PGL, a day out doing activities and bbq and a film day in their pyjamas and have figured out a way to do t-shirt signing, etc socially distanced.