Students and families gathered at Bubba’s Sports Bar and Restaurant in Worthing, breathing sighs of relief and sharing smiles of satisfaction as they celebrated the completion of the 11-plus exam.
A time-honoured tradition brought families together to unwind and reflect after a challenging annual rite of passage for thousands of primary school students.
Among the celebrants were Tracey Smith and daughter Lily-Noelle, who were eager to share their feelings about the day.
Emphasising the significance of such celebrations, the proud mother said: “I think these celebrations are important because they work so hard during the years, preparing for 11-plus, doing various exams and practice tests. Then the morning of the exams seems so stressful.”
“So when they’ve gone through all of that and to come out and say, ‘Mommy, I understood the questions and did well’, you kind of get excited that it paid off and it’s something worth celebrating,” Smith said, adding that lunch at Bubba’s was just one of the treats she had planned for her daughter.
The consensus among the students was that the exams were manageable, and they felt confident about their performances.
“It felt like another mock exam,” said Lily-Noelle, a student of St Alban’s Primary. “I think I’ve done everything right to prepare and that I will go to my school of choice, Queen’s College.”
Of the celebration, she said: “It was fun and I’m grateful for it.”
Boasting her ‘I had my 11+ lunch at Bubba’s’ button was Najaira Gamble, a student of Charles F. Broome Memorial School who admitted that the exam was “nothing very hard.”
Her father Clarence Phillips reflected on the significance of the day.
“These celebrations are necessary because one chapter ends and a new chapter starts. I’m feeling very proud,” he said.
His advice to his daughter was heartfelt: “This is one chapter ending. Next chapter is around the corner. Approach this one with all the energy that you approached the last with. The work has now begun. Keep pressing forward. Daddy and Mommy will always be here for you.”
Another supportive father, Sean Grant, praised the celebratory tradition: “It’s all about ease and relief because these kids go through so much pressure from the schools, parents and their peers so the best thing is to make them feel comfortable.”
His daughter, Symphnee, who hopes to pass for The Combermere School, said: “It’s important because after feeling all that pressure, I just want to relax and enjoy the time I have before secondary school.
The sentiment of the day was overwhelmingly positive, with most students expressing confidence that they had performed well enough to move on to the schools of their choice.
Parents and children were also spotted marking the end of this year’s common entrance exam on Brownes Beach and in St Lawrence Gap.
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