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Primary education

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Emotional Year 6 ending

8 replies

ZedNotZee54321 · 23/07/2026 07:52

My DD left primary school last week and I feel quite emotional about it for a number of reasons.

Its a nice school where practically all the children and parents get on quite well. Last week they had a graduation ceremony where they showed slides of the children from their very first day in reception, up to now. They ended it with their own farewell song to the tune of Wonderwall, and a video of each individual child saying goodbye into the camera. They then gave out certificates and trophies, then had a little party on the school field afterwards.

Its not just DD leaving the school, its the fact that the school has seen us through many hard times over the past 7 years, the loss of my father, the breakdown of the relationship between me and my DCs father and his subsequent abandonment of them, and the ongoing support they've given us over the years.

To add to that, my younger DD left her pre school last week and they also had a graduation ceremony. My elder DD attended the same nursery, so they've also known us for a good number of years, so that obviously added an extra layer of emotions.

And to top it off, we're moving to a new town over the holidays, so it will be a completely new start in more ways than one. We're all excited about the move, its a lovely area and we've already met some of our new neighbours. So of course its not all doom and gloom 😂 but it just feels like the end of an era, for multiple reasons.

OP posts:
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ACynicalDad · 23/07/2026 08:35

I’m sure Y6 teachers spend time working out how to maximise tears at leavers assemblies and take a perverse enjoyment from it.

It’s emotional for everyone before they add in the extra! We have another year there with #2 and still found it very moving.

onmylastnerveseriously · 23/07/2026 09:09

Enjoy being a secondary school parent it’s so much less stressful!

Besidemyselfwithworry · 23/07/2026 09:14

My son (7) has left the infants section of the primary and is moving to the juniors this September. It’s one school but it’s old buildings and the juniors classrooms are in a different area but they share the hall for getting together.
There is also the change of small classroom furniture to bigger furniture too which is a little symbolic.
we had an end of term assembly and it was lovely and he’s my youngest of 3 and so I’m really aware - the last day going thru the infants gate was really emotional xx

ZedNotZee54321 · 23/07/2026 09:15

onmylastnerveseriously · 23/07/2026 09:09

Enjoy being a secondary school parent it’s so much less stressful!

I'm sure it is! But I'll also have my youngest starting primary school in September but not the same school.

OP posts:
Thatcannotberight · 23/07/2026 11:23

There are two types of parents at the yr 6 leavers assembly. Those crying their eyes out and those thinking ' thank fuck that's over' , whilst giving the crying parents the side eye.
Lots of children have outgrown Primary and are ready to move on.

ZedNotZee54321 · 23/07/2026 12:20

Thatcannotberight · 23/07/2026 11:23

There are two types of parents at the yr 6 leavers assembly. Those crying their eyes out and those thinking ' thank fuck that's over' , whilst giving the crying parents the side eye.
Lots of children have outgrown Primary and are ready to move on.

Its not just about leaving the school for us though, its a combination of several things as detailed in my OP.

OP posts:
MumofOne28 · 23/07/2026 12:58

I think it is natural to be emotional OP, its an end of an era. I cried and a lot of the mums also did. I am also excited about my child being more independent and seeing them flourish at secondary school. I will probably cry on their first day at secondary school too 😂

Thatcannotberight · 23/07/2026 16:34

ZedNotZee54321 · 23/07/2026 12:20

Its not just about leaving the school for us though, its a combination of several things as detailed in my OP.

I can see it's more involved for you, moving away definitely puts a different spin on it. For my experience, 99% of the children were only going to the Secondary school on the same site and everyone knows pretty much everyone here.

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