Mid-August

Life has been crazy for the past two weeks. I've been working, getting my A Level results and preparing for university and seeing friends and family before I leave in a few weeks.

Hannah and I getting our results from school.

Celebrating later that night. 

I hope everyone is having a good summer (although the weather has already turned autumnal).

Flo x

Commemoration Service.

When I finished school for my muck-up day, I didn't feel to sad, because I knew I would be going back there for my exams, and then seeing everyone at the Commemoration Service (also known as Commem). It all seemed far away in the distant future until yesterday when I realised that I had to call the school to confirm my attendance, and that this would be my final event as a Langton Girl. 

The service, held in Canterbury Cathedral, was the same as ever - talking without the teachers noticing, mouthing the words along to the hymns that I hadn't been to the rehearsal for, and folding up my programme, origami-style, until it falls apart. 

At the same time, the service felt different. I was aware that I hadn't walked down from school to the cathedral with the other teachers and pupils, that what I was wearing was different now that I am no longer constrained by uniform rules, and that I entered the service from a different entrance. The words of the service, had more resonance than they usually did (probably because before I knew I would be going back again) and the speeches made by the Head Girls made me cry a little. It really hit me that I wouldn't be part of that school tradition again. 

Another tradition is that after the service, the teachers will chat and talk with the leaving pupils outside the cathedral for a few minutes in a much more informal way than they would do at school. The teachers I spoke to were all kind enough to wish me Good Luck for the future and whatever I go on to do. 

A group of us with our old head teacher, Mr Stanton.

Lize, Annabel, Georgie and I with Mr Hanna, one of my English teachers. 

I can't believer how much I am going to miss my school - I had some wonderful times there and made some brilliant friends. 

The Ball (part trois)

(Is this getting old yet?)

I took a disposable camera to the ball, as well as my usual camera to the ball. Usually these cameras come out quite well, but not this one. Out of 28 exposures, only these five came out. 

I said that the house looks like one in Atonement.

"Hey this hedge looks like the maze in Harry Potter!"

Flo x

The Ball (part une)

My school leaver's ball was held last night, at a rather nice country club, that really resembled the house in Atonement - we half expected Keira Knightley and James McAvoy to turn up.

I'll do a more in depth post when I feel like I'm not about to fall asleep any second, but here are the highlights:

We took this on a self timer. I don't think we've ever been so proud of ourselves.

Summer has officially begun.

Flo x

A BIG OLD THANK YOU

My exams are now over. After five weeks of study leave and exams, I have finished school FOREVER.

Or until I go to university, wherever that may be. It's not looking likely at the moment, if my last exam is anything to go by.

I owe the fact I am still sane to several wonderful people:

Grace

Hannah

Lora

Charlotte (who is on a plane to New Zealand RIGHT NOW)

Flo x

The End of an Era

I have now officially left school. No more lessons. EVER. All I have to do now is revise for, oooh, four more exams that will determine MY ENTIRE FUTURE. Other than being able to wake up at a normal time, the only good thing about leaving school is finally getting a Leaver's hoodie.

Flo x

Class of '03

There is a tradition at my school which involves the leaving class to "muck up" the school on their last day. 

After 7 long years, it was finally my class' turn. Our theme (because there are always themes) was convicts and/or prison, depending on who you asked. 

As our theme was convicts, it meant that everyone had to dress up in accordance with the theme, which meant we were all wearing bright orange jumpsuits (see below).

Two of my favourite people

Generally causing havoc.....

The theme did leave the year group with an interesting sartorial dilemma - how do you make a men's regular (the smallest size available) look good? I think everyone did really well. 

The main accessory was a head band/scarf:

 

Sunglasses, stripy tees and silly masks were also used:

I wore my jumpsuit with a Topshop vest and sunglasses, vintage bag, bandana stolen from one of my parents and converse. 

Does anyone else's school have any ridiculous traditions? I'd love to hear about them.

Flo x

The MAGIC of the disposable camera

While searching through hundreds of photos (in my computer folders, in boxes around my room, and on Facebook) so that I could fill my school yearbook page, I was struck how awesome all the photos taken on those disposable cameras you can get from Boots are. 

Regardé:
Grainy pictures from Paris:

Sunny magic in Italy:

My aunt thinks that this picture could have been taken any time in the last time forty years.

It's me, in 2008, in case you were wondering.

Capturing moments at birthday parties:

Pure white skin from Gracey.

Museum visiting:

I must now go and do my history coursework (due in tomorrow). 

Flo x