Kiley Dunbar’s Back to School Guide
(for back-to-school time in mid-August when Scottish schools return 17th-19th Aug)
In Making Sparks Fly at the Highland Repair Shop, teacher Roz McIntyre is heading back to school after a long break raising her twins, and she’s terrified she won’t remember how to do it.
Because we’re in Scotland, school goes back in mid-August, just as kids elsewhere are settling in to their long summer holidays.
Here’s my guide for everyone returning to school (of any kind) to calm those first day nerves and make the return all the sweeter.
- Carrying it off in style: Roz is packing her vintage red leather satchel (repaired for her by husband Charlie) as a reminder of how capable she used to feel as an NQT. As far as school bags go, the bigger the better, and don’t feel pressured to be the same as everyone else.
- First day nerves: Practicing your journey beforehand will calm those nerves, so will setting off early. Check in with a friend when you arrive (just like Roz does) so they can tell you they’re proud of you.
- Hydrated and sated: When Roz started teaching in the early 90s no one carried water bottles; now they’re essential. Carrying your own coffee mug around campus is also a boss move if you can get away with it. Roz is carrying her homemade sandwiches (again, thanks to Charlie), but her one-to-one pupil Jolyon is dreaming of pink school custard in the dinner hall.
- Stationery for the win. There’s nothing half so exciting as fresh ring binders and lined paper pads, a pen case stocked with freshly sharpened pencils, and you can’t beat that swotty feeling of ending the day covered in eraser fluff with pages of neat Post-it tabbed and highlighted notes [happy sigh]. Treat yourself to all the stickers and revision cards your heart desires. I scour the charity shops for stationery all year long.
Whatever you’re starting this summer, whether it’s big or little school, college or uni, that online course you’ve fancied doing for ages, or just a new journal or reading challenge, me and Roz McIntyre hope this summer brings you Back to School blessings.
Be brave, and remember you’ll soon be cosy at home again with your books and a brew.
Meet you at the gates at home time?
Love, Kiley, x