GRADUATION

Last Sunday the kids school had their graduation ceremony. Alex and Ellie are too young to be graduating, the ceremony was for the four year olds who were graduating nursery and ready to move on to the big kids school for kindergarten next year. We went because Alex's class were to be flag holders for the procession of graduates as they paraded up to the stage. Ellie's group was to perform a little song.

We arrived just in time for the start and the hall was packed. The ceremony was at a local hall that was set up very fancy. Alex went shy right away and would only stand in his spot with his flag if mummy sat with him. Even being next to his girlfriend didn't help with his shyness. (Yes he used to have a girlfriend back in Muscat but she moved away to Africa and has never called or written him since, so he has moved on!) To the tune of "Pomp and Circumstances" the nine four year olds paraded down the middle of the seating area, past Alex's class holding their little Cayman flags, and up onto the stage where all the staff and guests were seated. All the kids were in their green traditional graduation caps and gowns. One of the graduates was overcome with sadness at having to leave nursery and was in tears the whole time. (Maybe it was just his fear of having to go to kindergarten next year!)

There were lots of poems and songs by the graduates and speeches by the teachers and staff. There was a speech by the guest of honor. While the speech was interesting, I think she forgot that most of the audience were kids under four and their parents. Once the four year olds loose their focus, the parents then loose theirs. In our case it involved chasing Alex around the hall as he dragged a large balloon sculpture after him. There was a large pot luck buffet set up in the back of the hall. Ellie spent her time walking along the tables naming the food and trying to get into the cakes. Ellie's group did a good job with their little teddy bear song and the ceremony was really nice.

We all had a good time and happy there was no valedictory speech!