School's Out

At 3pm this afternoon 550 children from Years K-5 formed an arch snaking through our playground to bid our 100 year 6 children farewell as they finished their primary schooling. And so ended the 2007 school year for those of us who "pay less, and get more" (school days that is). I found the leaving arch very emotional, I can only guess what sort of teary mess I'll be when KelpieBlossom runs through the same arch in 3 years time.

It's been an action packed last week of school starting with ArmyWife's farewell dinner at our local watering-hole.* We surprised her with this Pandora bracelet with four charms:

A suitcase... because she's leaving

A four-leafed clover ... for luck

A Snowman ... for Christmas (and because the place she's going has cold winters)

An Elephant ... so she doesn't forget us

ArmyWife has written an account of this on her own blog here.

Yesterday, we held our final P&C function for the year - the teacher's lunch. Each year the school P&C pays for an end-of-year lunch for the teachers held during lunch hour in the staff room. We clear out the room, set it up in a festive way and serve a smorgasbord of cold meats, quiches, prawns, smoked salmon, sushi and salads. This year we provided a sideboard of sweet treats and large platters of cheese and fruit as well. The teachers seem to really love this event and we get a kick out of putting it on for them. They deserve every bit.

Now that school's out the festive season begins in earnest. My parents arrive from The Far West tomorrow and we have Christmas functions coming out of our ears. I've also committed myself to hosting what seems like half the suburb for a family BBQ on NYE. Better get down to planning that. Should be fun.

*AuE translation from my trusty Macquarie: noun. 1. a waterhole where animals drink 2. colloquial a hotel or bar, especially one used frequently for drinking with friends