a brand new day

With the start of the new school year here in Australia, my little one (The Gymnast) goes off to high school today. She’s actually older than The Reader was when she went off to high school, but she just seems so young to be off and being that independent! I suppose it is a second child/youngest child thing – we see them as “younger”.

I went in to wake them both this morning, and The Reader was fast asleep and woke slowly. I went in to The Gymnast, and she said, “I’m already awake Mum! I just woke up!” I responded with, “It’s today!” (She’s been so excited!) “I know!!!!!!” and she jiggled and wriggled most excitedly!

There will be lots of new things for her today. Some of her primary school friends will be moving to the same school as her, but many are going elsewhere so it will be an opportunity to make new friends. She’s also looking forward to the wider range of school subjects.

The school has been extremely accommodating of her gymnastics training, but we’re not sure how it will all work out with a new school, although she’s been leaving early for years at her old school. There will be teething problems, but she’ll get there! We’re so impressed with what the school has been prepared to adjust for her, to help her fit both school and gymnastics in. They’re happy to help her to excel in her sporting career at the same time as her schooling. Year 7 is a year that many girls decide it is all too hard, and being a gymnast is too different to their friends, so many girls give it up at this age. We’ll just see how she goes.

The Reader moves into her senior years of high school today, so she’ll have new things too: all her own subject choices, in preparation for her post-school plans. She’s found out some of her teachers already and seems to be happy with most. She has a great group of friends that she’ll be so pleased to see again.

My beautiful daughters, I pray that this year is wonderful for you both. I pray that your friends are kind and loving, and that you are a kind and loving friend. I pray that your teachers inspire you and encourage you. I pray that you learn new things. I pray that you mature and deepen in your understanding of yourself, of God, of others and of the world around you. I pray that you will be happy, and when you’re not happy, that you’ll make it through those tough times, and come out stronger on the other side. I love you both.