Till we meet again...

It's that time of year when the oldest students leave the school, marking a significant milestone in their education. As a  personal goodbye gesture, I write my classes a poem that charts the times we've shared in the classroom. It's always met with surprise and joy; a poem crafted just for them! Some years (when I'm feeling particularly adventurous) I dedicate a line to each student, highlighting a memorable habit, characteristic or quirk. I am always touched by the very positive reaction the farewell poem receives. I deliver a reading of the poem after handing each student a copy as a keepsake. I somehow  manage to make it to the end without bursting into tears!

Here are excerpts from various poems written over the years:

Your Of Mice and Men accents made us laugh and cry

but we couldn’t agree on whether Lennie had to die.
Eddie Carbone had us somewhat perplexed
and his treatment of 'B' left us terribly vexed.
You were a sea of bafflement with Dickens’ words  
but rejoiced at the change that Scrooge had incurred.

~~~~~~ 

It’s time to rewind and go back to the start

of the GCSE dawn;  the very first part.

You cautiously shuffled up to my door,

wondering what horrors I had in store.

You looked at me with expressions of dread;

“A colourful bunch,” I quietly said.

Extroverts, introverts, big mouths and small,

the class of ’09 just had them all!

  
~~~~~~

You lived through the pain of subordinate clauses,

my ‘evil’ looks and expectant pauses.

We got to grips with papers one and two-

It was painful at best but you got through.

Ms. _______ and I, what a dynamic pair!

Between us we made sure that you were prepared.

You could count on her to keep out the gloom,

and constantly lose her keys in my room.

~~~~~~ 

As GCSE fledglings you came through my door,

unaware of the horrors that I had in store.

Through two years of poems, texts and plays,

you have made me smile in so many ways.

~~~~~~

You got stuck in to the weekly writing tasks

where some talent emerged; it’d been unmasked!

For some of you though it showcased the bizarre;

writing ridiculous things that left me quite scarred.

Your competitive natures saw you excel;

you wanted to be better and do everything well.

As a result, most are working at their best

and will surpass themselves in the final test.

~~~~~~

Our time together draws to a close

so here are some verses that I have composed.
They chart the highs and lows that we’ve shared,
so make yourself comfy – I hope you’re prepared.

~~~~~~ 

Conclusions end essays and this poem too;

I’m incredibly proud of each one of you.

It’s time to leave the ‘nest’ so go ahead and fly

and with a heavy heart, I must now say Goodbye.