I think back to September 2019 when I was as nervous as these little three year olds that were joining my class. It was my first year in FS1 also and I didn’t know what to expect. Would I be good enough, would they like me, would I be able for this?
No more time for thinking as the doors opened to these little people who would eventually be known as “My Little Rosefinchers”!
Those first few weeks we eyed each other suspiciously, me thinking who will cry today and my little Rosefinchers thinking – what will Ms Cashman make us do today!! But as those first weeks passed by, we formed a little bond – us against the world! Nobody could say anything against my little bunch: in my eyes, they were the best!
We formed our own little bubble, we had our own songs and our own little chants “Come to the carpet, use your walking feet” that many teachers loved as they passed by our classroom. We were dragons and dinosaurs and knights and queens and I was even a princess for a day!! Once you passed through our classroom door, the possibilities were endless. A circular doughnut seat could be a princess crown, a bowl of sand could make a birthday cake, a stick could make a magic wand and a piece of material could make a knights armour.
Then suddenly, we were told our classroom was off limits, what would happen to our little Rosefinch bubble?! How could we possibly recreate this environment online? But, as always, these little children surpassed all expectations and adapted to our online learning so quickly. I knew when they were engaged in the lesson and thankfully they still told me when it was time for me to quit!! But through it all, we continued to sing and dance (my dance moves were questionable sometimes!) But as the story says – We can all dance if we find the music that we love – and with this little bunch, I certainly found the right music in me.
Selfishly, I don’t want to say goodbye to them, if I could keep them with me, I would. But, in the words of Winnie the Pooh, – “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” They are ready to move on up and who am I to stop them. They will always hold a special place in my heart! I’ll be in my Rosefinch classroom next year and I look forward to hearing all about their wonderful adventures in FS2. Because without a doubt, my Little Rosefinchers will leave a big mark wherever they go!
And how excited am I to welcome a new bunch of FS1s very soon. I am now very well trained (thanks to this year’s boot camp!!) and ready to rock FS1!! And without a doubt, more adventures lie in store for me in September 2020.
Love,
Ms Cashman, Ms Meriame and Robbie (Our Rosefinch Robot).
