The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

First and last day of school

What I remember most about Rogan’s first day at school is that I was far more upset about it than he was.

My own school days were not overflowing with warm, fuzzy feelings. I recall it as being a place of hostility, tension and boredom. Leaving school was, up to that point, one of the happiest days of my life.

The idea of inflicting this on my son made my stomach churn. Yes, I’d been assured that bullying was now a zero-tolerance issue rather than the “that’s life, deal with it” attitude that came down from unsympathetic teachers, some of whom, in my experience, were often the worst inflictors. But the fears remained.

Fortunately all my concerns came to nothing. Not only did Rogan excel at school work, he was reasonably popular among the other children and could even kick a ball with some accuracy (something I was never able to do, which was unfortunate in a place and time when how well you could kick, catch and throw one conferred your status, or lack of it, in the playground and pecking order).

Nearly 13 years have now passed, and Friday was his last day at school. He only has to go back in for his final exams now, which actually make no difference to what happens next has he has already received an unconditional offer from Heriott Watt University in Edinburgh to study Physics.


Rogan's first day at school


Rogan's last day at school

This autumn, on Rogan’s first day at University, I will once again be far more upset about it than he will, but for different reasons.

He’ll be excited at a whole new world opening up, whereas I’m going to miss him terribly. My wee boy is all growed up




13 comments

debra said...

It's a roots and wings kind of thing, I think. We give them roots, and they take wing. Just like it is supposed to be.

Kim Ayres said...

I know - the purpose of parenting is to bring our children to a point where they are able to go out into the world without us and have a reasonably good chance of surviving. I'm still going to miss him though

savannah said...

*sigh* he may be your boy, but i just shed a tear remembering my 4 all those many years ago. xoxoxooxo

*BIG hugs*

angryparsnip said...

Congratulations to Rogan for graduating school and his offer for University.
No matter how old or big they get they are still our little ones !

My last one just finished at his University Friday and he is extremely happy.

cheers, parsnip

hope said...

Congratulations to ALL of you...you must have support on the home front to feel confident enough to take that tentative step out of the nest.

I'm impressed by his chosen course of study! And I know Dad will continue to update us..and we'll offer shoulders to lean on if you need it.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Rogan! I remember how proud I was when my daughter went to college.
I'm not sure but I think this photograph of Rogan's new Mohawk shows his coiffure at it's most spectacular. Cool boyhood photograph too.

mapstew said...

Same cheeky face!

I wish him all the best in his future.

Good man Rogan. :¬)

Hindsfeet said...

oh Kim.....feeling a vicarious bitter-sweet ache for you....how terribly terribly *proud* you must be...

I love the juxtaposition here...those two wonderful shots....

...and am very glad you didn't abandon your "ramblings" in your renaissance here, always a treasure.

peace and all the best for you and your family....wishing you guys a sweet intermission over the next few months,

Liz~*

Pat said...

Seems to me bullying is far more prevalent these days.
I'm so pleased about Rogan.
Have no fears - he is a prime example of a boy who is happy in his skin.

Kim Ayres said...

Savannah - I guess the next oddity will be when the grandchilren start graduating...

Parsnip - even with hi mohawk, it's difficult not to see him with the golden curls he had when he was wee :)

Hope - at least a degree in Physics is likely to land you a better paid job than a degree in Philosophy...

Allen - his mohawk is steadily getting taller - I'm asked to cut the sides, but leave the top. I don't know how long it will be before he has to be concerned about Low Bridge warning signs... ;)

Mapstew - the smile is always the same no matter how someone ages :)

Liz - the "ramblings" will always be a part of this blog :)

Pat - he does seem to be very comfortable in his skin. At the last couple of parents' evenings, the most common phrase comming from his teachers was "laid back" :)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Look at you, Rogan, all growed up! Same cheeky grin. I think you'll do well. Have fun at uni. and remember to study and do your assignments on time [sez the person who was almost always late, haha, but I had tolerant lecturers].

Kim, I hated school, mostly because of our teachers and the awful, grinding borrrredom. My last day of school felt like FREEDOM.

And don't worry, Rogan will only be away for a while, he'll come back to you as your friend.

Jonathan Chant said...

Fabulous post. Good luck to your son.

Kim Ayres said...

Guyana-Gyal - I can't imagine him coming back to this small town when he finishes uni - there's very little here for him, and certainly no jobs where a degree in physics would be required. But that's several years away, so I'll try not to worry about it until then.

Jonathan - thank you :)

All content copyright of Kim Ayres. Powered by Blogger.