Our 2019 Graduates ~ Now and Then

Here we are at the end of another school year.  We have had an exemplary year and are sad to see it come to a close.  A lot of the credit for our special year together goes to this year's graduates.  We have known a few of them since the day they were born or when they were toddlers.   They have all been with us for three years with one being with us for four years.  They have had the opportunity to be the youngest, middle and oldest in the classroom.  As graduates they have set an excellent example.  They offered their friendship to their fellow students and were always there to provide guidance, assistance and support.  All eyes have been on them and they did not disappoint.

Each year, our June Newsletter includes individual tributes to each graduate.  Here are photographs of our 2019 graduates, now and then, with excerpts from their tributes.

Our 2019 Graduates

Anaia

In the early days, quiet Anaia would come alive during Friday Music classes. Not only does she love music, Anaia would often wear a t-shirt that said ‘Music Loves Me’.  How true!  Anaia is a lovely singer and knows the lyrics to so many songs!  Mrs. Lepik has come to depend on her to lead the songs during our Music classes.  In the classroom, Anaia often leads impromptu sing-alongs.  Anaia has truly blossomed over her years with us and is a confident and poised girl who loves to learn.  She enjoys being a graduate and has become a role model for the girls in her class. She is always ready to help, gently guide or comfort one of her classmates.  Her classmates are drawn to her calm nature and she is often chosen for the lunch or birthday tables.  She is considered everyone’s honourary big sister.  

Julian

  

Julian is an expert on the subject of cars.  He can identify the make and model of each of the teacher’s cars as well as the other parents’ cars who arrive at pick up time.  He once said that he has so many toy cars at home: “a hundred, no one hundred and one!”  Julian speaks both English and Japanese at home and has been to Japan several times to visit his family.  During his time with us, he has taught the class some Japanese words, about the Japanese holiday called “Children’s Day”, and he even played the Japanese national anthem on the piano.  Julian always wants to make sure that Japan is represented fairly in our class discussions, for example, this year when learning about the Solar System, Julian asked whether any Japanese astronauts had been to outer space?  He really challenges his teachers’ knowledge!  

Maddy

Maddy has never let her age place limitations on what she can do and achieve.  As a new student, we don’t think it ever dawned on her that she was one of the youngest members of the classroom.  She would always be there to help her fellow classmates whenever she could.  She still does.  She has been ready to be a graduate since she first joined us and recently wrote “I have waited my whole life to be a graduate.”  Maddy is a wonderful mentor and friend to her classmates, giving them new lessons, helping them with their work and helping them to get ready when it is time to go outside.  She has been a great sister to G. at school this year and is so proud when new baby sister J. drops her off or picks her up.  She is admired by her classmates.

Michael

Would you believe that Michael has gone from being the youngest and smallest person at school to the oldest and tallest? In the early days, he was known as Mikey.  Now that he is a graduate, he prefers to be known as Michael.  When little Mikey joined our school in September 2015, we were all so happy.  He was a little over 2 ½.  Everyone thought that Mikey was so cute and just adored him!  With his bright smile and enthusiasm for life, Mikey brought joy and laughter to our days at school.  He still does.  His zest for life continues to permeate everything that he does and is very contagious!  Michael is charismatic and is able to put people at ease.  He thrives in social situations and is often at the centre of our classroom happenings.  Although Michael may look like a big, tough guy, the secret is that he is really a cuddly teddy bear.  He has a very gentle and helpful nature.  He is so happy to be a graduate and it has been lovely to see him come forward this year to take care of and guide the younger members of the classroom.  

Victoria

Victoria has always been a little reserved, however this year we have seen her blossom into a confident, helpful, and friendly graduate.  Although she can still be somewhat shy, especially in the mornings at drop off, there have been rare occasions when we need to ask her to be quiet!  Calm, steady, and hard-working, Victoria has been a role model for her younger classmates.  Victoria is the tallest student in the half day class and everyone admires and respects her.  Being as wise as she is, this year Victoria shared with us one of her favourite books from home: “Bucket Filling from A to Z”.  This book teaches how being kind to others instills happiness in ourselves.  Victoria guided the class in making their own buckets to fill with ideas for being kind.  We will always remember the lessons in kindness that Victoria has taught us.  

(Victoria was a little camera-shy in the beginning so we have included two photos.)

Today you are you, 

that is truer than true.

There is no one alive

 that is youer than you!

Congratulations to our graduates!