Bye-bye Nursery

Hendrik survived his first year in school.  =)  This year was a major milestone and an adjustment for him. We are just glad that he survived it well and effectively.

He learned to be independent in school. At first, he would cry, wouldn’t let go of me and didn’t want me to be out of his sight even for a bit. His first few days in school was a drama – crying, shouting to look for me, even vomiting. I only managed to attend his classes with him on the first week. The second week was he was on his own. He learned that he had to behave himself in a new environment and new faces. With me monitoring with his teachers, we were pleased to know that he was trying to control his cries on the second week. Then, he totally stopped the drama on his 3^rd or 4^th week in school.

Getting into the school bus every morning was also a struggle at first. Actually, he didn’t dislike riding the school bus, but the thought of him without Mommy or Daddy or Lola going to school with him made him sad and worried. Eventually, he would just wave at us (whoever is sending him off), smile and say that he will see us later after school.  =)

* Photos grabbed from Sunbeam Kindergarten's Facebook page *

He also learned to socialize. His teacher would tell me that he was quiet and would just play by himself and didn’t interact with his classmates. But, as time goes by he slowly feels comfortable and gets at ease with the people surrounding him.

He had also learned academically. He can now speak, read and write simple Chinese characters (which anyone in the family doesn’t know. Hehehe!). His teachers would tell me that Hendrik does his work independently and without any assistance. =)

Since school year 2012 is over, it’s bye-bye nursery now and hello K1 next year!

Related posts:
First Day in Nursery 
First School Assessment
Semester 2 Assessment

~~~ end ~~~

First School Assessment

I had my first ever parent-teacher’s meeting last 18 May 2012. I was scheduled in the 12:10 slot to meet Hendrik’s form teacher, Mrs Sabrina Lim and Hendrik’s Chinese teacher, Mdm Ong or Wang Lao Shi as Hendrik calls her. Joseph was supposed to tag along with me, but was caught up in a training.

I had a lovely chat with Mrs Lim as well as Mdm Ong. I don’t need to write in details what we had discussed, but suffice it to say that I was happy stepping out of the school’s gate after hearing Hendrik’s 1^st semester assessment.

The following are snapshots from Hendrik’s folder (which I hope Sunbeam Kindergarten wouldn’t mind). I am just a proud Mommy, you know…  =)

"Hendrik is a pleasant and shy boy. He loves to read and enjoys listening to stories."

" Hendrik has shown improvement in his work and he takes pride in it. He has also learnt to be sociable and can now relate better with his peers and teachers."

"Hendrik responds to rhythm and sings spontaneously. He enjoys painting / craftwork, and is able to use simple tools and materials to construct."

"Hendrik has a desire to learn. He enjoys doing actions while reciting rhymes. He loves to write."

Now, isn't this a good reason to be happy? Indeed!

~~~ end ~~~

First Day in Nursery

Today, 03 January 2012, marks Hendrik's first day in nursery school. Everybody was mobilized - like we are preparing for a major and important event  =) . Lola and Mommy were up early in the morning to prepare Hendrik's needs - breakfast, iron the school uniform and prepare his bag and water bottle for school. Daddy and Mommy are also on annual leave from work to witness another milestone in Hendrik's life.

~ happy to go to school ~

~ while waiting for the school bus at 8:30am ~

Since last quarter of 2011, we have been telling him that he will be going to school in 2012 and that he needed to prepare himself. We trained him to use briefs instead of diapers, taught him how to pee in the toilet by himself, wash and dry his hands, poo in the toilet (though he still needs help to clean him after), and eating by himself. Way before 2011 ended, we were able to achieve all of it. =)

Now, our little boy is ready and is officially a school boy...

Hendrik took the school bus going to school. Few months back we have been orienting him that he will be riding the school bus by himself without Mommy, Daddy, or Lola accompanying him. We told him that he will be taking the school bus with the other kids and that he shouldn't cry. He always answered us with a "yes", and added that he will just wave at us when he boards the school bus for school.

Today, he patiently waited for the school bus to pick him up. Yes, he boarded the school bus without a fuss but began to cry when I took away my hand from his grasp. The bus Auntie was kind enough and made the effort to console him. The school bus left with him crying.

Joseph and I followed him to school. When we arrived at the school, they were having their assembly and found Hendrik still crying. I entered the Assembly Area and hugged him and told him not to cry anymore. He did stop crying after seeing me and assuring him that Mommy will be around.

Assembly Area:

~ Hendrik at the Assembly Area ~

~ beginning to feel comfortable after Mommy's hugs & words, & especially presence ~

~ Mommy meeting Hendrik's Nursery teacher, Mrs Lim, at the Assembly Area ~

Nursery Classroom:

~ Nursery area ~

~ our little school boy ~

~ checking of attendance ~

~ forming a "train" to go to the toilet ~

~ ready for head count after going to the toilet ~

~ prepping for snack time ~

~ playtime ~

~ playing with Legos ~

~ playing with wooden blocks ~

~ of course, Mommy was also inside the classroom so that Hendrik will not cry ~

~ listening to the story of "The Gingerbread Man" ~

~ a teacher helping Hendrik draw the Gingerbread Man's face & buttons ~

~ getting ready to go home ~

~ listening to Mrs Lim's reminders before going home ~

~ Mrs Lim putting a color-coded school bus ID to Hendrik ~

~ a teacher helping Hendrik put his water bottle inside the bag ~

Assembly Area:

~ @ the Assembly Area for the closing exercises before going home ~

When they were about to board the school bus to head home, Hendrik was getting anxious again. He started to hold my hand real tight and wanted me to be with him in the bus. I told him that there is no space for Mommy in the school bus and that it is only for the school kids. Yes, he cried while boarding the bus, but understood that he should be there by himself.

Tomorrow will be another day. I know there will be improvements. I know he will get used to going to school, and hopefully will love it.

As of now, despite all the drama that happened, he is happy.  With the help of all the teachers and staff at Bethesda Sunbeam Kindergarten, and not to forget the kindness of the school bus driver and the bus Auntie, they provided Hendrik a nice first day experience of school.  ^_^  Hoping that in the succeeding days, everything will go well...

Related post: Preview: Bethesda Sunbeam Kindergarten

~~~ end ~~~