Nicholas starts high school next year- year 8. So, the letter to advise what class he will be in, arrives today.
I've got my contact lenses in, so I can't read it too well. Blah blah blah, class 8.7, blah blah blah, sub school, blah blah blah, gifted, blah blah blah blah, accelerated learning-blah blah blah. WHAT?
Hold up- what is this saying? He'll be in the gifted class and have accelerated learning in Maths, English, Science and Society & Environment? Oh my goodness! I don't believe it! I know he's smart, but he's never been tested for any giftedness. He wants to learn, he wants to make an effort. But because he's a good student he gets put among students who don't want to be at school, who are disruptive and rude to the teacher behind the teacher's back. Do teachers put better behaved students with disputive ones in the hope that some of their enthusiasm will rub off on them?
Anyway I tell him to ring Steve and read the letter to him. I speak to Steve briefly afterwards. At home tonight, Steve tells me he was so proud he almost started crying at work!
So, Nicholas will be in a class of likeminded students, who want to be there, want to make the effort, want to learn.
Here he is on graduation day for year seven. He's here with his best friend, who is on the left. Nicholas gave a speech at the graduation ceremony which was actually funny in places and well as reflective in others. I was so proud.
This is the best Christmas present I could ever want.