Following yesterday’s ceremony, we held the kindergarten and elementary school entrance ceremonies today.

In kindergarten, we welcomed 30 children to K1 and 10 transfer children to K2.

Last year, some children started crying while they were waiting. This year, however, no one cried. That actually felt a little surprising to me. These young children, who have spent most of their time in the arms of their parents, now have to stand on a stage in front of many adults. When I think about how nervous they must feel, I think it is only natural if some of them cry.

The children who entered K1 today will enter elementary school in two years. Thinking about that made me very happy. Ms. Collins, our kindergarten principal, gave a warm message that filled us with energy and hope.

After that, we held the elementary school entrance ceremony. A Grade 2 student gave a speech on behalf of the current students. The speech went like this:

“When I started elementary school, I was a little scared to go to school, and I cried every morning. But when I found the courage to go to school, my teachers and friends were very kind to me. I used to be a crybaby, but now I can stand in front of everyone and give a speech…”

When I heard this student’s speech, I was almost in tears. When I looked around the hall, I saw that I was not the only one. I think this is how children grow. There are hard times, of course, but little by little, they grow. My own speech felt quite boring compared with the student’s wonderful speech. (laugh)