Next stop: Hogwarts

I feel as though I'm in a Harry Potter book. It is time to begin Sport. Students wear their sport uniform. That is, a white polo rather than blue, shorts, and joggers. We all convene to the patio to form lines of boys age 5&6, boys age 7, boys age 8, girls ages 5&6, girls age 7, girls age 8.

As this is happening, mind you, I'm watching, looking to the children as if I know what's going on, but really in a complete daze of wonderment!

"Now, Mrs. Mollahan, have you chosen your flag people?" I smile, "No. What shall I do?" "Please choose four sensible students who can carry the flags." Right. So I choose them (by the way, I love how the word 'sensible' is used. Isn't that a great word?). Now they somehow know to get the flags because they watched the last year's "older" kids get to do it and now it's their turn! I'm still watching . . .

Now we all walk down the stairs to the big field at the bottom of the school property. There the relays have been set up (by Year 6 Captains), the high jump and long jump are waiting, and the sprinting track is set. I'm in charge of high jump. Whatever that means, I'm thinking!! I somehow missed high jump in middle school. Where was I? But I have no memory of this part of sports! Here goes nothing, I'm thinking!

After the children participate for about 30 min. in one of the four track activities that their gender/age has been assigned to, we retreat to our Houses. I'm now watching wide-eyed again. Out come the flags, with my sensible students standing proud, and the children line up at the color flag with their House name on it: Pope, Maher, Smith, or - now I forget the fourth! How do they know their House? From last year, of course! Besides, their older brothers and/or sisters have been in the same House, so they've known all along what House they are in. And, they know the war cry, as well. (War cry???). Sure enough, when the teacher begins, they all chant as loudly as they can their rhyme/cheer/chant/poem/war cry. The House with the most spirit, of course, is the best. And each one is sure they are the best. Harry and Ron, where are you??

The House names come from famous family names of Macksville from back in history. Of course they do.

I am still learning how to "do" Sport Day, but I have learned a lot about the high jump! Just don't ask me to do it. That's what my Year 6 helpers are for . . .