Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
LAST DAY MEMORIES
With the last day of the school year likely to have come more than four months early, Friday was an “emotional day” for pupils and teachers across Kent. Shirts scribbled with messages were commonplace across the county, as children in Years 6, 11 and 13 said a final goodbye to staff and classmates. Tanya Kelvie, head teacher at Aylesford School, said there were tears from teachers and students.
She added: “It’s just been an emotional day. We’ve promised Year 11 students they will have their prom, but it may have to be at Christmas.” Teachers at Vigo Village School near Gravesend hugged their pupils goodbye, but attendance was down 40% amid the virus crisis.
Head teacher Roger Barber said there was a level of anxiety about the situation, adding: “We are trying to keep things as normal as we can to be honest, but it’s not the same because we have got a lot less children.
“I think they are really anxious, which is another reason we just want to keep things going as it is.”
On Sheppey, Year 6 pupils at Thistle Hill Academy in Minster and Richmon Academy in Sheerness, were told they will be invited back to school for the usual leavers’ event when it can take place.
Elsewhere, pupils at St George’s Primary School in nearby Minster exercised their voc al chords on the final day. He ead teacher How ward Fisher said: “The school had a lovely sing-along assembly this afternoon to say gooodbye.”
Roseacre Junior School, in Bearsted, held an Easter egg hunt, which would have normally been done at the end of term.
But some pupils will not have memories of a traditional last day. In Tenterden, Year 11 and 13 pupils at Kent’s largest secondary - Homewood School - were banned from coming in. Teachers announced the measures at the 11th hour, fearing children self-isolating would arrive to say goodbye to classmates.
Pupils at Sir Roger Manwoods in Sandwich were also left disappointed as pupils were sent home on Thursday at short notice.
Lily Morgan, 15, said: “We weren’t aware that it was our last day until it was announced that we were to leave the school immediately, two hours into the day.
“We weren’t allowed to sign shirts or have a leavers party or celebrate in any way.
“We are all devastated about it.”