61. Someone kicks a ball so, so, so high.  (That feeling of dread.  That feeling of, ‘Don’t go higher.  Don’t go higher.’  And my friend is shouting, ‘Higher!  Higher!’) And the ball leaves the school grounds.

62. The teacher reads a book about pride, dignity, shame.. those things not often discussed. And the whole class is silent.  Then, the teacher gives us five minutes to think about times in our own lives when we may have experienced these things.

63. We learn about area and perimeter from a youtube story called ‘Spaghetti and Meatballs for all’.

64. The teacher asks my mum and dad to write me a secret letter, and he also gives them some suggestions. When I open my letter I read how proud they are of me. I read that they saw me growing beautifully. I read that they love my smile. I will keep that letter under my pillow.

65. The teacher calls out a list of the children who have returned something to school (a permission slip, a signed note, a signed test…), and my name is called.

(Content Copyright: Gone are the days when kids didn’t say, ‘I love school.’)