Jun

20

Goodbye carefree childhood, hello teenage angst

Filed under: Diary — English Mum @ 4:46 pm
 

So I think I’ve said before that the school the children attend is a good old fashioned Irish preparatory school.  They have boarders, and Matrons, and get to play in the woods and have proper lunch and cricket and rugby and stuff.  #1 has spent two happy years there and today was his last day.  He was tremendously sad, although this was slightly offset by being allowed to stay over yesterday for the leavers’ party, which seemed to include a day out to some mad place where they did ‘bog jumping’ (yes, really, in a peat bog - he still has it under his nails), an assault course, a proper outdoor barby (’I had a burger…and a hotdog with loads of onions…ooh, and some really nice marinated chicked…ooh, and lemonade…’) and then back to the school for a specially arranged late night swim in the outdoor pool (a lovely detail was that the staff on duty used their car headlights to light the pool for them) and very little sleep afterwards, no doubt.  This was a wonderful, memory-building last night for #1 and his friends, something they’ll no doubt tell their children about.

So it was with a certain melancholy that we took our places in the beautiful hall (I especially love it that one of the paintings shows a magnificent greyhound) for #1’s very last Prizegiving Day.  Well, there were prizes for this and prizes for that, and I have to admit I’d kind of zoned out a bit and then… hang on, was that #1’s name I heard?  Yes!  And I could see him weaving his way up to the front to receive The Senior Music Prize, no less.  I could see #2’s face all smiley and proud as he clapped double hard for his big brother.  And then, shortly after, once again to receive The Latin Prize!!!  Afterwards, breathless and red faced, he came rushing up clutching a distinction certificate for History too.  Not to be outdone, #2 got a certificate for swimming - he is just coming up to his senior three years now, so I can see there’ll be some healthy competition on the prize front in years to come.

So on to senior school, then.  Many new challenges ahead.  And honestly?  This school’s been the making of him (and continues to do a great job with #2).  They arrived, uncertain in a new country and frankly unhappy to be joining a new school, and he leaves a confident, happy, sunny teenager.  He’s still our mad professor, but he’s taller.  And more argumentative.  Happy days.

13 Comments »

  1. What a beautiful post Missus.

    Tell the Prof and the Loony their Auntie Jen is BURSTING with pride and will get them both the sort of icecream that’ll take scaffolding and three weeeks to eat.

    What a bitter-sweet day - and Wonderful years and adventures ahead.

    MWAH!

    Comment by jennynib — June 20, 2008 @ 4:53 pm

  2. Jen: Aw thanks. They’re already discussing flavours. This could be a mortgage-worthy day out we’re planning on Sunday!! xx

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 20, 2008 @ 5:10 pm

  3. EM - See my private email .. xx

    Comment by Moon — June 20, 2008 @ 5:14 pm

  4. Moon: Ooh, pour moi? On my way x

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 20, 2008 @ 5:16 pm

  5. I’m so proud…of course he takes after me…NOT! Little S who has grown into such a lovely big fella…and C my youngest grandson set to follow in his footsteps…well done both of you, Grandma loves you to bits!

    Comment by Grandma — June 20, 2008 @ 7:27 pm

  6. lol @ scaffolding for the ice cream. That’s exactly the kind of aunt I am, too. My friend Dee says a good education’s the only thing you can give your kids that lasts forever; I think she’s right and great that yours have such a lovely place to go as well…here’s hoping #1’s new school treats him just as wonderfully as the last.

    Comment by Tara — June 20, 2008 @ 10:09 pm

  7. Ah a watershed moment no doubt. Congratulations to the boys for their prizes too! And don’t fret too much re teenage angst, mine never had it so maybe you’ll strike it lucky! I agree wholeheartedly with Tara, a good education is the best thing we can offer our children, what they do after that is up to them.

    Comment by Baino — June 20, 2008 @ 11:51 pm

  8. Congrats to Mum and Dad and Well done boys.Have a great summer all.

    Comment by june in florida — June 21, 2008 @ 12:02 am

  9. Ma: Aw shucks. Good timing that your cards came on the same day as well! x

    Tara: Thanks, and yes, we agree. Okay so we haven’t been on holidays for a while and they don’t always get the best treats but hey, we think it’s worth it x

    Baino: Absolutely, and what, you mean I might escape the dreaded teenagerness? Thanks, you’ve given me hope! x

    June: Many thanks, and you too. Eleven long, yawning weeks to come…aaarrrrggghhhh…

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 21, 2008 @ 4:37 pm

  10. Well done to both boys! You painted a great picture of that proud feeling inside to see your boys shine!
    I can still remember those days with very fond memories! Wait until you get to Graduation Day!
    Enjoy the summer hols but with such a long break, get them doing some joined up writing at least once otherwise day 1 of school in September is a great shock to the system!!

    Comment by heth — June 22, 2008 @ 1:17 pm

  11. Well done #1.

    Midnight swimming sounds like fun (if a bit cold!) I wish my teachers had done something similar.

    Comment by nuttycow — June 23, 2008 @ 9:20 am

  12. Well done to the boys!!!

    Loving the sound of that leavers party!!!!!

    Comment by Ruth E — June 23, 2008 @ 10:22 am

  13. Heth: Thanks, I think they’ll actually revert back to toddlerhood by September :)

    Nutty: Me too - they have such fun x

    Ruth: I know, it builds such lovely memories. No photos sadly, but hey.

    Comment by englishmuminireland — June 23, 2008 @ 10:36 am

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