Back to school diary: Two weeks in

Eleven-year-old Anna from Essex won our competition to write an online diary about starting a new school.

She's now been at her school for over two weeks and here she tells us what she's enjoying and not enjoying about it.

26 September, 2006 - Settled in!

Hello again!

I've settled into my school really well now, it feels like I've been there for ages!

I've met loads of new people, found new friends on the bus and I'm managing not to get lost as much as I used to!!

Dangerously close

The only thing I don't like is homework. In fact, I don't actually know anyone that absolutely loves it, but it's Ok really.

I'm also managing to get into more of a routine, even though getting up so early is still really hard!

I haven't missed my bus (yet) although I have come dangerously close quite a few times!

Lots harder

The lessons aren't too bad either.

I really enjoy English, Music, Art, Technology and German but I don't really enjoy Maths or Latin.

We don't really do anything different from primary school in our lessons apart from the fact that the work is a lot harder than it used to be.

Helping out

I'm enjoying school so much that I've volunteered to help out on the Year 6 open evening but I can't be a guide in case I get lost or lose someone!

Instead I'm going to help out in the music department.

I'm really enjoying my school and I haven't regretted coming for one minute of it!

Anna

7 September, 2006 - My first day!

Hi!

I am absolutely exhausted and extremely tired! My first day at school went really well and I am now very happy.

I caught the bus very early this morning and met a few more girls from my year on it, but no-one from my form.

Getting started

All morning we were with our form tutors. We were copying out our timetables and discussing what to expect from our new school.

The only annoying thing is that my form room is at the top of the tower so I have to keep going up and down the stairs - it tires me out!

Lessons begin

After a lovely lunch from the canteen we had two timetabled lessons. I was very excited because we had to get to them ourselves - hopefully no-one got lost!

I had maths which was quite complicated and then English which was quite fun.

We had to interview someone from another form and then tell the rest of the class about them. It really helped us get to know the whole class!

Tired but happy

After that the day was over and I caught the bus back home.

I am really tired but can't wait to go back again tomorrow!

5 September, 2006 - The day before

Hi again.

It's only one day to go - time to start worrying!

This morning I had to be ready to leave at 7.30am but I only woke up 45 minutes beforehand.

Little brother

My two brothers started school today.

It was strange to see them going to the school that I used to go to.

My littlest brother was going to the school for the very first time but he didn't seem too nervous - just engrossed in the jigsaw he was doing when he first got there.

On my own

We STILL haven't got my bus pass but hopefully we are going to get it sometime this afternoon.

Tomorrow my mum is going to come with me on the bus and take me home on it but after that I am on my own!

I have decided not to take my PE kit but I am going to take my science and food tech aprons just in case.

Green blazers

I can't wait to put the uniform on tomorrow - it's so different from my primary school uniform.

There we had fleeces but at my new school we have to wear green blazers.

At least the colour is the same for both schools!

I am really excited - It's only a matter of hours now!!!

Anna

4 September, 2006 - Fewer than two days to go!

Hi again!

It's now fewer than two days to go and I am so excited that I can't even think about anything else (apart from watching the episodes of Raven: The Island which we recorded when we were on holiday!).

There is a small knot in my tummy which is gradually getting bigger but maybe this is just excitement.

Rehearsal

My two brothers start school again tomorrow but I don't start until Wednesday so tomorrow I am doing a practice day.

I have to get up at the right time and be ready by the time I will have to leave on the day.

I'm not really looking forward to that - I am not a morning person!

Last-minute things

At the weekend I went away in my caravan for a few days which was really nice.

But now that we've got home, unpacked and are getting ready for school it doesn't feel like the holidays any more.

There are still a few last-minute things to do like get my bus pass, but apart from that I am completely ready!

I can't wait!

Anna

1 September, 2006 - Just under a week to go

Hi! I was asked to write a back to school diary after winning the Press Pack competition.

I feel really excited and I hope that this turns out OK.

I am starting secondary school in just under a week and I won't know anyone because no-one from my primary school is going there with me.

Blazer

However, I'm not worried because I did meet some people on the induction day I had at the beginning of July.

I also met my form tutor then and she seems really nice.

I have already got all of my uniform (a green blazer and a green kilt as well as all my PE kit), and all of the equipment that I'll need as well.

I've even already packed my school bag for the first day! I've packed everything! We've been told that we'll only need a pen, pencil and ruler on our first day but I've also packed my calculator, my maths set, my art equipment and my data key!

Excited

The only thing I'm not sure about is whether or not to take my PE kit on my first day but I think I've decided not to.

I've also practised the bus journey a few times so I'm not worried about that either.

Because there are still a few days to go, I am not really nervous yet, just terribly excited, and at the moment I cannot talk about anything else!

Now I'm just counting down the days.

Anna

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