I know how overwhelming it is for parents and children as the child starts the major milestone of going to Primary School. I am mixed feeling, thrilled and anxious if my daughter will be able to adapt to her new environment. My daughter, Tia, didn't go to nursery or any playgroup. So I was uncertain, but I know she's smart and being positive that she's going to love school.

The whole family is well prepared for her big day and we make sure we got everything she needs. Months of constant preparations going to shop buying school uniform, shoes, bag, lunch bag, water bottle etc. I buy loads of hair accessories. I keep reading school emails to make sure I do not forget anything that Tia needs.

But I didn't expect that the Pandemic will change everything. Change our normal ways and it includes how school works. We are not even sure at that time if the children can return to school. Primary 1 students should be toured in the school with their parents beforehand. But instead, they send us an email with a video of the child's teacher, introducing herself and showing us around the school.

Before their big day (1st September), we were advised that:

• the kids should not bring school bag but a disposable plastic bag for their snack since the items brought to and from school will be kept to a minimum

• school uniform is optional until half term

• arrival times will be staggered

• children should bring their small bottle of sanitiser and cleanse their hand before entering the school.

• no mixing of classes

• the break will be consumed in the child's classroom and not in the canteen like it used to.

Tia is privileged to have free meals in school just like the rest, so she only has to bring a snack. We have to order it online so I have to remember that every weekend. Although it's optional to wear a uniform, I still send Tia in her uniform, because it's her first year and I want to see her in her uniform and it's not easy to keep changing clothes every day. Since she cannot use her new bag, I only give her a disposable bag with a snack on it as all her things are already in school.

First Day

Tia was so excited and looking at herself in the mirror wearing her uniform, she is so happy and proud. I told her that she will meet her teacher and friends and that we will pick her up after school. On her first day, she has lots of stories and trying to cite her classmate's names that she can remember. She's excited to share what she did and how she had a good time playing. She keeps saying that her teacher is very nice. She is delighted and looking forward to going to school every day.

Homeschool Learning

The second lockdown in October took place effective for 6 weeks, the school has to close. Seesaw App is introduced for homeschool learning. They send all the task that the kids have to do and we send them back when we were done. So a printer is essential during this time.

Look at some of Tia's work:

If I'm honest, it wasn't easy for a P1 student and especially for parents this kind of set up but we have to do it and we did it.

It's never a school setting and there are no classmates to play with, I feel bad that she has to have her first year like this. But it works for me and Tia, even you have to have extra patience for her to do her homework at her own pace. More snack time than usual, play before school, patience and more patience.

They were back to school in November and had their first event "Roald Dahl Day" where they can dress up as one of their favourite Roald Dahl characters.

Tia dressed up as Matilda

And in December wearing a Christmas outfit and singing Christmas songs with the class.

Before the pandemic, those events can be attended with their parents. They didn't even have the 'Nativity Play' this year. But still, the school doing their best sending us lovely pictures and videos of how our kids doing which we really appreciate.

Another lockdown

January, another lockdown was in place. We are back to remote learning so I'm the teacher once again.

They were back in March and Tia was so happy to be back and see her classmates and teacher. And on the 12th of March, she was the Pupil of the Week!

She enjoyed Sports Week this month. It's full of fun! Parents, still are not allowed to watch them in school but send us a video and photos.

And tomorrow they will have a Teddy Bear themed fun day where they can wear whatever they want and can bring a teddy to school. She is so excited to wear her pink dress and take her pink teddy.

Here are the things I learned that I want to share with other parents:

• Bath them at night, save you time in the morning and so you will not hear more squealing

• Always check your emails for any updates and school events that you might require to pay for or bought something especially costumes

• Never forget to order their meal before midnight as the meals must be pre-booked. I forgot it once and I didn't send them a packed lunch.

• Check their pockets before it goes to the washer, you'll see some small things inside.

• Check their bags and pockets before they go to school and make sure they don't bring your lipstick or any makeup to school

• Name their uniforms! Tia went home with an old jumper and I cannot do anything about it as it's my fault I didn't put a name on hers and this happened twice

• Make sure you leave extra clothes in school for "accidents" do happen and they wet themselves unexpectedly. It will save you a run in the shop

And on top of all say Thank You to their teacher! I can't even handle my own so how much more than 30 of them?!

And now we are approaching last week in school and yesterday I received her report grades which I cannot contain my happiness not to share with yous. The report says:

She's "Almost Always" keen to learn, listens attentively, works independently, works well with other children, follows instructions promptly, can stay focused on the task and tries her best.

Communication (Language and Literacy)

Tia has worked hard this year and has made good progress in this area. She is happy to share her thoughts during circle time and will contribute to whole-class discussions. She enjoys stories and can answer questions about the text. She has been working hard at home with reading books and she is becoming more familiar with some high-frequency words. Tia is beginning to recognise some letter sounds. Continued work on this will be helpful moving forward into P2. Tia can focus on a task and work independently. She takes pride in her written work and completes work neatly.

Using Mathematics (Mathematics and Numeracy)

Tia enjoys joining in with our counting rhymes and songs. She can count forwards and backwards within 10. Tia can also recognise and order the numerals to 10. She can sort objects for different criteria and can talk about her work. She has coped well with the practical activities associated with simple pattern making.

Further Comments (General and Curricular)

Tia has steadily grown in confidence this year and it has been lovely to watch her friendships with other children flourish. Tia loves Play-Based Learning and shows a particular flair for creative activities. She loves to paint and, although she engages without painting activities set, she loves to paint houses when she has free choice. She shows great attention to detail in her work. Tia enjoyed taking part in World Around Us lessons and can talk about the lifecycles of a frog and a butterfly. Tia showed good control and coordination when using the large equipment during our P.E lessons. Tia is a happy, enthusiastic girl who has worked hard this year. I enjoyed seeing the work she was doing at home during 'lockdown'. It has been great to get to know you, Tia. I wish you all the best for P2.

Who wouldn't be pleased to read this report? I'm over the moon and very proud of Tia's achievement.

Learning during Pandemic is tough. Parents who turn to teacher did a very good job even it wasn't an easy task. And how grateful I am that my child is in a great school with a lovely teacher that makes her first school year full of fun and discovery. And I'm a very proud Mum!

Enjoy the summer, my fellow parents, we deserve some rest for P2 is up next! You are awesome! You also did well!

Don't forget to give a thank you card to their teacher! Tia wrote a very nice card and got a lovely thank you gift for her.

Thank you for reading!