Pre-Junior Graduation Speech
Good morning! Today is an important, heart warming, celebratory and yet at one and the same time a tear jerking moment for us as parents, teachers and pupils. We are here today in fact to mark and celebrate the closure of the Pre-Junior year but also to rejoice with our little ones as they embark on a new journey into the Junior School.
It is also a time to take stock, to be present to what this year has brought our little ones and to commemorate what we as teachers, and as parents, have facilitated this year. Let me tell you a story about a mummy eagle and her little one ....
What we as teachers and as parents do is to provide that ‘push’, in the knowledge that our little ones would soar and fly ... and fly they did this year! Just look at the accomplishments ... looking at what would otherwise be indecipherable shapes and making out that they are letters which when blended together would then form words; looking at figures and learning they have values which added together increase in value - these are indeed the joys and milestones of academia of the kindergarten children - of our children.
We have witnessed developments too on a personal and social dimension, seeing our children interact, learning the skills of making friends or creating healthy boundaries or working in a team; seeing them thus develop a sense of self, with the occasional, or not so occasional ‘no’!! We have seen them explore, wonder, create ... we have all witnessed these small miracles that the Pre-Junior at St. Catherine’s is so proud to facilitate by means of its exquisite teachers, Ms. Gaby, Ms. Lorraine and Ms. Maria.
I must here, in fact, spend a word to pay tribute to these teachers who have devoted endless energy to compile a programme that is multi-sensory, fun-filled and makes learning such a pleasant adventure for our 4 year olds both in class and whilst surfing the blog at home or elsewhere - let us here give them a round of applause. Throughout this year they have wiped the tears from the eyes of our tiny ones when they were hurt, sad or simply upset; they gave new skills to them, encouraging them to be artists, dancers, builders, or just simply themselves; they encouraged the shy and unsure children helping them to boost their self-esteem. They too have thus helped our little eagles to soar and we have to be eternally grateful to them for holding our little ones’ hands awhile at this delicate stage of their development.
And now it is time to say good bye, a bitter sweet goodbye, to this sweet kindergarten time - and to welcome the next phase on this educational journey at St. Catherine’s or elsewhere ...into the Junior School. To the students and the parents who will be continuing their journey with us at St. Catherine’s, we promise our commitment to giving our children ....both roots and wings, as W. Hodding Carter Jr once said. Roots which keep them strong in the traditions of solid Christian values, the focus on good citizenship and the family ambience which unites all our students and parents in this “One Big Family”; and Wings which help them find their own way in life through the learning journey thanks to our focus on quality and innovative pedagogy in education (introduction of computers in the classrooms), the emphasis on holistic education and the same individualised attention they have had this year! Although the educational landmarks for next year are extensive, we know that our kids will lap up all the creative strategies of learning that our teachers of Junior 1 are so renowned for!
To these 5 year olds but also to all those kids and parents who leave us this year, we wish all the best for a promising educational future. Last but not least, we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Catherine of Alexandria, to bless our tiny 5 year olds and to keep them always safe, joyous, creative and respectful of all that surrounds them! God bless you all!
Sue Mifsud Midolo
Director, Junior School