Starting at Red Roots Preprimary School

The school kindly allowed us to have some time at the school grounds the day before it opened. I know Sarah-Hope needs unhurried time to work out how to get around the class and playground and that this would help her confidence when there were 40 kids running around. I left her with her facilitator, Laura,  to enjoy some time there and popped out to buy her some tackies which are part of the school uniform. When I arrived back, we tried on the shoes and thankfully they fit. She put them on, and now buoyed by a new level of support from beneath and the excitement of this school community she was going to be a part of, she stood up and walked! And not just a few steps, but again and again. You could tell this was physically demanding work – she was panting away as this is no longer a regular workout for her. She was also having to get used to stamping her feet down on the ground to manage the weight of the shoes and the putting her weight through her feet instead of having them free as extra hands. 

All this hard work required a few breaks in this position... and then back on with the mission.

And so, school has begun! And the first few days have gone well. She is understandably cautious about moving around in a new and busy environment but is absorbing what is going on and working things out in her mind for now. 

But she is ready for the challenge. She actually had to exercise a lot of patience this week recognising that some of the other children may need a few days to settle before the full programme could begin! And I am so grateful. For the grace received to get to this moment. And that which we can depend on for whatever is ahead.