Phew, can not quite believe that we’ve arrived at the end of the third week in January and the school bells are ringing loud and clear.
Today we watched Lachlan spread his wings and fly out the door (well he actually ran!) to begin boarding school, eager to see what the bigger world has to offer. Boarding school is a part of life for our family, the kids all know that once primary school is completed there is no secondary option that is right for them, and so it is they pack a bag and begin the next stage of learning.
After teaching him for 7 years in our Distance Education schoolroom, I know this child is more than ready.
The lure of sport (and cricket in particular) is strong.
I did actually giggle, when, in all seriousness, he asked over the holidays, “Will I need school books?”
He hadn’t quite registered that boarding school was not just about sport and playing with your mates, there would indeed be many hours spent studying books!!
This little man is an integral part of our mustering team. He knows his cows, is a pretty handy horseman and has a fantastic work ethic. We sure are going to miss his help.
Hamish, who is just eighteen months younger, knows that he will be stepping up into some big boots. He’s more than ready. It is such a privilege to watch these kids grow and learn.
Andrew is also heading back to start his 4th year of boarding. Rob relishes having him home for holidays as well.
So many jobs are ticked off a diverse job list. This past 6 week holiday list as an example:
- repairing fences
- cutting and ripping out ironbark fence posts
- branding calves
- mowing the lawn
- standing new fence posts
- shifting mobs of cattle into their next fresh paddock
- dipping cows that have a ‘tick’ load
- painting
- building a new pool deck (& then swimming in the pool!)
- shifting pigs into a fresh patch
- making sausages
- watching the cricket (& practicing cricket)
- building a chicken tractor
- cleaning cattle yards
While working, we’ve had a few chats about what boarding school will be like. My heart melted yesterday, as we sat under at an Ironbark camp, holding a mob of cows, Lachlan asked if I would mind printing a few photos of home for his wall.
I can easily manage that for him, and I also promised to send lots of photo messages to his phone, showing him that his 3 siblings at home are keeping things humming.
I also reassured him that nobody would ride his horse and we will indeed miss both his & Andrew’s assistance.
I also pointed out some benefits to boarding – no unpacking the dishwasher, having to milk the cow each morning or having to peel vegetables fo dinner,
Tonight, like a lot of my fellow boarding Mums, I’m feeling both a little sad and a little proud. As a parent this is exactly what you wish for your child, a confident fluter of their wings as they explore the wonders of the world.
It just doesn’t make those empty chairs at the dinner table any easier.
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