Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. ~Albert Einstein

I have such mixed emotions about Maddie starting school on Thursday. On one hand I am incredibly excited for her. I loved school and I am still friends with some of the wonderful people I met in the first few years of my education. I never took the 'education' or academic side of school terribly seriously, but I adored making friends and learning from some of the great teachers I met along the way.

On the other hand I am terrified. Up until now, we have been able to protect Maddie to a degree. She has had the freedom to just be Maddie. We have celebrated her passions and marveled at her development and creativity. The pre-school she attended last year was like a beautiful garden playground over looking Sydney Harbour. Her teachers were incredible. They helped us lay the foundations (being considerate, making friends, developing a thirst for knowledge, understanding self worth, contributing etc), but they also encouraged play, laughter and just being kids. Now, for the first time, she has to 'fit in'.

I remember watching a wonderful speech given by the magnificent Ken Robinson about how schools can kill creativity and every word made SO much sense to me.

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

As Maddie begins school, my greatest hopes for her are that...

- She has confidence in herself and knows what a magnificent little soul she is.

- She listens and learns but also respectfully challenges when she believes in something.

- She treats everyone she meets with respect and kindness.

- She celebrates her achievements and feels true joy when she works hard and accomplishes something.

- She learns to lose gracefully and understands that making mistakes is sometimes the best way to learn.

- She makes lovely friends and treasures them.

- She has teachers that celebrate who she is and encourage her to follow her passions rather than make her 'fit in'.

- She remembers to laugh and not take it all too seriously.

- She eats her fruit and remembers that going to the toilet is always more important than playing!

Most of all, I hope that she knows that intelligence comes in all shapes and sizes, and although school is a wonderful step in growing and developing, that she is much more valuable than the grades she gets or how quickly she grasps maths / science / English etc! May she develop a true love of knowledge and may studying be a discovery and a joy rather than something she 'has to do'.

One thing is for sure. Simes and I will be behind her every step of the way. As Cyndi Lauper said 'If you're lost, you can look and you will find me. Time after time. If you fall, I will catch you I'll be waiting. Time after time.'

Truth is, I prefer the Eva Cassidy version (may she rest in peace).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWJ3GCWTqqs

Go for it little Mads. We've got your back kid xxxx