SD First Days at School

25th January – First Days at School

Using Billie Moore’s letter about ‘Memories’ as a starting point, the children wrote tiny booklets, recalling their first days at school.

From thinking the playground was ‘massive’, to having someone be sick in their lap—for several the first few days sounded quite daunting. Here are some quotes from those booklets.

Quote:
“I was three and I went to a class called ducklings. When I got there I was just too scared to talk to someone. So I hid in the corner every day for a whole month, until I met a friend call Faith and we are besties now.”

Quote:
“I was running to my mum on my first day, saying ‘I don’t want to be here’ but mum just ignored me.”

Quote:
“I never wanted to go back. But here I am.”

What my first day of school was like

I remember when I first stood in the playground. I thought it was massive. I was 4 years old. I was so nervous.

When the booklets were shared with residents at Broadlands, the activities co-ordinator, Lee, wrote back saying. I remember on the first day of school I thought I looked so smart. I had my new shoes that looks so cool.

My first years at school!

I was 5 years old at school, Oulton Broad Primary. Half way through my first day of reception someone was sick all over my … so I need to stand … bucket until my … me.

I was three, and I went to a class called ducklings, when I got there I was just too scared to talk to someone. So I hid in the corner everyday for a whole month until I met a friend called Faith, and we are besties. I had to wear a bright yellow jumper and a pink bobble to put up my hair. My shoes were black with a black strap.

“It was interesting reading about how many of you worried about finding your way around when you started school. The residents all agreed it was a worry they shared with you on their first few days living here at Broadlands.”

The second Westgate letter was from Jessie, who worked as a ‘tweenie’ maid.

Her days started at 5:30a.m. and were full of tasks such as cleaning brass taps, washing muddy shoes and cleaning out the fire grates.

The residents chatted about their early morning routines, both as youngsters and currently, and wrote about them for the children.

Ruth wrote about rising at 6:30 to feed the chickens before walking a mile to school, and Stella pointed out that, at 102, it took her a little while now ‘to get up and go!

Jane wrote about having her hair done each morning—and her continued hatred of milk.

Hello, my memory of the morning is having my hair done. Brush, comb it and plait it. The last was the bows of coloured ribbons on the end. When this was done I was ready for school. I had my bowl of cereal and a cold drink – not milk, because I hated it. It seemed to leave a fur coat on my tongue. Ugh! I’m 83 and I hate milk.

Have you grown vegetables?

A poetic response to Stella’s question about growing vegetables.

I would like to grow carrots, because I am a massive fan of them
I would like to grow carrots, because I am a bit of a rabbit and love carrots
I want to grow raspberries as they are very juicy
I’d like to grow raspberries since I love juicy fruit
I have grown tomatoes even though I hate tomatoes
I remember when my Dad grew chillies
I’d grow potatoes because then I could make my own crisps
Potatoes for me then I could make homemade chips
I would like to grow broccoli because they look like mini trees
I won’t like to grow any vegetables because
I don’t like any vegetables but I do like potato
So I would like to grow that, that is it.