Bonzer Words!: She's Nuts!
Shirley Henwood recalls her son's first day at school.
Shirley writes for Bonzer! magazine. Please do visit www.bonzer.org.au
I walked Peter up to Jean Batten Primary School, our local school, just along our street, on the other side.
It was his first day. His two sisters walked along with us, but ran off at the gate to play with their friends. He wouldn't hold my hand.
We went into the infants' block, at the far end of the school. Along the covered walkway to the room, there was a row of pegs, all labelled, where children were hanging their bags and raincoats. The head of the Infants' School came to the door as we stood there. I had met her previously, although Peter hadn't.
She was a well-built, brisk Maori woman. She came out of the room and greeted us.
'Good morning, Mrs Henwood.'
'Good morning, Miss Te Whare.'
'Hello, you must be Peter,' she said in a slow, perfectly enunciated voice, as if he was deaf, or retarded, or both.
Peter just stared at her.
'Say Hello, Miss Te Whare,' I prompted.
'Lo,' he said.
'Now Peter, I must explain a few rules to you first. Do you see these pegs? These all have the children's names on them. Do you see this one at the end? That is your peg, your very own special peg, Peter. I will put your name on it after Mother goes. Just hang your bag and coat there now. Bring your book and pencil inside. Just remember it is your very own place. Do you understand?'
Peter continued to stare at her, and didn't answer.
'Can he read his name?' she asked.
'Oh yes, he's good at reading,' I said.
Peter was still staring at her.
'Is he shy?' she asked.
'No, I don't think so,' I said, watching my son, wondering what was going through his mind.
'Well, Peter, it's time for Mother to go home, now. She will pick you up at 2 o'clock. Take her to the end of the path and say goodbye.'
'He'll be fine, I'm sure,' she reassured me.
Peter took my hand and led me to the end of the path.
He pulled me down to his level. 'She's nuts,' he whispered.
'She probably thinks you're a baby,' I whispered back.
'Oh, I s'pose they get lots of babies,' he seemed satisfied.
I stifled my laughter.
'See you at two, hope you have a nice time,' I said, and walked off. I should have been crying but I was laughing as I walked away. He had always been such a pragmatic little boy. I didn't have to worry about him.
© Shirley Henwood
