Ideas to mark "End of Primary School"

Tripzy

Do you have any experience of positive way to mark the "End of Primary School" for the present 6th class - approx 80 (boys & girls)?
The school have in the past held an unsuccessful buffet for parents & children on their final day at school but many were left disappointed by the event, the location, the food, etc..etc..etc..
So please could any of you please give us ideas that could be done on a small budget in the timeframe left.
Thanks.
T

Moonbeam

Maybe a sports day ? It is summer and they could organise it or a variety show organised by them ?

byhookorbycrook

We have a class mass, where the children do all the singing/readings/prayers etc. We give out grad certs too and there is a cuppa for parents and treats for the kids.

gabsdot40

My kids school hold a 'graduation'. it's held on an evening during the last week of school in June. The 6th class students generally organise it themselves. I went myself last year. They did a little show, singing, playing instruments and a little skit.
Then they did a thank you bit where they took turns thanking everyone who had every had any interaction with them during their 8 years in the school, teachers, SNAs parents, sports trainers, PTA, BOM, caretakers, cleaners etc.
Then they showed a video they made about the 6th class teachers and one of photos of all of them since they were in junior infants set to music.
It was very moving. I was bawling and I didn't have a child in 6th class. I can't imagine what kind of a sobbing wreck I'll be when my kids are in the class.
Afterwards there was lovely food provided by a caterer.
it's traditionally a lovely evening and everyone looks forward to it. I'll be going again this year and I still don't have a child in 6th class.

Tripzy

gabsdot40 wrote: »

My kids school hold a 'graduation'. it's held on an evening during the last week of school in June. The 6th class students generally organise it themselves. I went myself last year. They did a little show, singing, playing instruments and a little skit.
Then they did a thank you bit where they took turns thanking everyone who had every had any interaction with them during their 8 years in the school, teachers, SNAs parents, sports trainers, PTA, BOM, caretakers, cleaners etc.
Then they showed a video they made about the 6th class teachers and one of photos of all of them since they were in junior infants set to music.
It was very moving. I was bawling and I didn't have a child in 6th class. I can't imagine what kind of a sobbing wreck I'll be when my kids are in the class.
Afterwards there was lovely food provided by a caterer.
it's traditionally a lovely evening and everyone looks forward to it. I'll be going again this year and I still don't have a child in 6th class.

Gosh, that sounds fab but I dont know if the parents of the 6th class would be fit for it emotionally.
The school do hold a Sports Day for the whole school earlier in June (weather permitting) and as there are a number of denominations a mass is not really an option but maybe a "faith" function might work.
Thank you for all the suggestions so far, what do you think of giving out a gift to the children and any ideas for that... T

byhookorbycrook

Some gifts I've seen: a sapling ,rose bush, class photo, an award for each child- most cheerful, best story teller-whatever suits the child and everyone gets one, an engraved candle.

Scortho

My primary school had a tradition where on the last day the students of 5th class would serve a fry up to those leaving! In 5th class you looked forward to it as you got of class for a few hours and some food and when in 6th class you looked forward to it for about a month.

11 years later I still remember it well:)