Search This Blog

Friday, March 02, 2007

Thinking About You

“I would like to say to this House, as I have said to those who have joined this Government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

Little did Churchill know that his words would be echoed by parents all over the country as they embarked on the quest of the eleven plus.

We started getting eleven plus results in Kent yesterday afternoon – an afternoon post had been delivered.

The joy and the excitement in the voices! The realisation that all the hard work had brought success!

Quite simply, congratulations to all those who have passed.

Commiserations to all those who have not gained their first choice school.

Naturally we will do all we can to help.

In days gone by news was often delivered by telegram. The telegram my grand parents received about the death of Uncle George, back in 1942, was displayed beside his photograph and medals.

In today’s world some families have even been able to access their eleven plus results on line. They did not have to wait for the post.

There is no doubt that technology has changed our lives. Today we send messages of congratulations through emails or text messages. Some of us use Skype to communicate. Blogs are also used now to convey our excitement and pleasure. I wonder how many of us will sit down to write an actual letter. I should imagine that some children will even be given congratulatory cards.

So, on behalf of all of us involved in the eleven plus, we hope that every thing works out in the end. For some families, however, the blood, toil, sweat and tears is just starting again. You too are very much in our thoughts.

No comments: