Posie's Blog. Tales of island life on a hebridean hill farm

Posie's Blog. Tales of island life on a hebridean hill farm

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Celebrations

Spring is teasing, the daffodils are opening along the road, the crocus and snowdrops are in full bloom. It  is however raining and snow is forecast, just when you dare to dream of summer time.  Nothing can dampen our spirits though, or take away from the sense of relief and delight that our primary school is no longer on any closure lists.

The day after we received the notification youngest handed me a letter saying I was to attend the school the following afternoon as they had important information to share. When I asked what it was about she shrugged her shoulders and feigned ignorance. As she got out of the car the following morning a little smile spread across her face, "don’t forget you’ve to be in school this afternoon".

I duly turned up at the school after lunch and was met by two pupils who ushered me into a classroom along with a gathering of other parents. We sat intrigued before we were called into the hall. There, lots of smiling faces beamed up at us from behind tables neatly laid with juice and trays of home baking, and the words ‘Surprise’ sang out as we entered the room. Some of the pupils had been busy baking at their cookery club and a celebratory tea party had been arranged. Youngest had of course known all along. Two of the older pupils stood up,  welcomed us to the tea party and said very simply ‘we wanted to say a big thank you, we couldn’t have done it without you’, and do you know I don’t think there was a dry eye among the parents, because it was so heartfelt by everyone in the room. The teamwork of the last couple of months has served to strengthen us as a community and make us appreciate the most important things we have, our happy, healthy young people.

Until next time….

12 comments:

Sarah Jane said...

What a lovely way to share their appreciation. The pupils are obviously so proud of their school and happy that they can remain there. It must have been a delightful occasion for you.

Pondside said...

You are all doing a fine job with those children - or how else would they know that this would be a lovely thing to do?
Congratulations, again, on keeping the school.

jane said...

What a lovely surprise for you Posie - what a day to remember for you all - and I love your Spring pictures - the lambs and the daffs - they are beautiful x

Molly said...

Just like Jane said, Posie, what a lovely surprise and so well deserved. Well done all of you for saving your little school!

Frances said...

Posie, I felt that I knew what I was going to read and actually got a bit teary eyed myself as I read about your entering the hall.

Bravo to you and to all in your community who really did get active and forceful and can now be so happy with the results of your efforts.

Even better, it sounds as if the students truly appreciate all the efforts on their behalf, as well.

xo

bayou said...

What a wonderful success and decent celebration for it! No daffodils to see here, yet - nor any lambs. But such a sweet photo of lambs and daffodils, Rosie :-).

Pat Posner said...

So glad you all won the fight to keep the school, Posie. It's obvious the pupils are happy about it and that's great.
No daffs or lambs here yet.

Have put baby hedgehog photos on my blog and a bit of this one's life history in the comments.

Pipany said...

Oh how lovely Posie. It must have been a really special moment - no wonder you cried! x

Posie said...

Thank you for your lovely comments, I do have to own up about the photos though, they were taken last year. We don't have any lambs yet, thank goodness as they would find it difficult to survive in the sleet and hail we have been having. We lamb outdoors so we need the weather to be kinder. We do however have daffodils, but the weather has been so inclement I haven't been out with the camera yet.

Anonymous said...

How gorgeous is that...and just goes to show all that effort was well worth it x

Fennie said...

A wonderful story and wonderful photographs, Posie. You do have such lovely folk living around you. Must visit your island one day.

MILLY said...

I was pleased to read your school was saved. And a lovely thank you to the parents for all their support and hard work. Small village schools are the heart of the community, yours sounds so nice for all the children to spend their childhood at.