A ROUND of applause greeted my eldest son and hundreds of his peers last Saturday as they walked from the hall of our local grammar school.
The children beamed with delight as they emerged pale-faced, but smiling, knowing they had just reached an important milestone in their educational paths.
The spontaneous reaction from the crowds of parents brought a tear to many of our eyes as we proudly looked on, knowing our kids had finally sat their last transfer test.
Like thousands of other boys and girls across Northern Ireland, my 10-year-old son had worked tirelessly and prepared himself well for the academic selection process.
For what probably seemed like an eternity to these young kids, they have worked towards the end of their AQE and GL exams.
Along that way in our house, there have been more than a few moments of stress, countless hours of hard work and now weeks of waiting until he finds out if the results will go the way he wants.
The strain that the academic selection process brings - both in the build up to the tests and the sitting of the exams themselves - can be immense.
It can be, without doubt, a period of great pressure for children, their parents and the schools they attend, as the kids are put through a system which many argue is too much too soon.
When your child reaches primary seven, the hype surrounding the transfer process is everywhere, there is no hiding from it - so no wonder the kids are nervous.
In truth, while I may have been stressed to the max on the inside, I tried not to exude that stress on the outside - especially as I watched my son join the hundreds of other pupils line up outside the exam room over the past month.
My eldest boy may have not picked up on my nerves, but he still had his own demons to contend with and was well aware of the pressure that surrounds his performance.
At 10 or 11 years of age, should they really be worrying about these sort of things? Is it not totally unfair to place this sort of pressure on their young shoulders?
If you strip away all the pressure and the hype, what lies underneath is just a little boy or girl wanting to do their best and take the next step in their education.
Whilst my husband and I realise the importance of the transfer test, we tried to take a more relaxed attitude to the whole process and drew on the inspiration of a letter widely shared on social media earlier this year.
In a note to parents and pupils of Darkley Primary School in Co Armagh, teachers told children about the fun way towards learning.
Instead of the usual homework and revision, pupils were told that they should go on bike rides, eat ice cream and laugh until their tummies hurt rather than worry about their exams.
The list even warned children that they should not be revising for any more than one hour.
School principal Sean Hart and a teacher signed off the letter telling the children that they don't need to worry - that they would do it for them.
And that's exactly what has stuck with me over these last few months.
As my son approached the transfer test process, my husband and I tried to instil a mix of work and fun into his school week. Of course, we were worried about him and how he was getting on.
But he still played football and rugby, he still went out on his bike and he still had fun.
We only hope that by having this combination of work and play, it will have stood him in good stead for what he had to contend with and what also lies ahead.
And lastly we kept reminding him of one particular line from the letter and one that I hope stays with him for a lifetime: 'You are amazing and we couldn't be more proud of you'.
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Competition
Movie House Cinemas has started a new holiday tradition this year with its Christmas Season of films perfect for families.
Elf is being screened tomorrow (December 10), while next week The Muppets Christmas Carol is the festive movie and on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus the Movie will be screened.
These great movies are showing at Movie House Cityside and Coleraine at noon every Saturday in December and tickets are available at www.moviehouse.co.uk
But I've got a special holiday treat for one lucky family to take a break from the hustle and bustle and head to Movie House. I have tickets for two adults and two children for the noon screening of Santa Claus The Movie on December 24 at Movie House Cityside in Belfast.
There will also be a family snack pack including two kids matinee boxes and a medium popcorn and two small drinks for the grown ups.
To be in with a chance to win, simply email your name, address and telephone number - along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday December 13 at noon.
(Q) What is the name of the movie to be screened on Christmas Eve at Movie House Cinemas?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot!
Cinderella - Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her ugly sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming at this year's unmissable family pantomime at the Grand Opera House. May McFettridge leads the cast as the Fairy Godmother and is joined by Pop Idol’s Gareth Gates as Prince Charming and Coleraine actress Jayne Wisener as Cinderella. If you haven't already got your tickets, call 028 9024 1919 or visit www.goh.co.uk
Gluten free this Christmas - Those with gluten, wheat or dairy intolerance are being catered for by Asda this festive season with its new and improved 'Free From' range. It includes a wide variety of traditional favourites catering to all Christmas cravings, including the Gingerbread House DIY Kit (£4.50) which offers a fun and interactive way to entertain younger children.
What's Not!
Online row - Singer Ellie Goulding has kicked off a fiery online row with Katie Hopkins over the idea of Italy leaving the EU. It appears that Goulding threw the first punch, telling the columnist to 'delete her account', but Hopkins made a personal hit back telling the popstar to 'stop talking now lovely, that pitch sets the dogs off'.
Pushy - Piers Morgan has slammed 'pushy parents' Victoria and David Beckham after their son Cruz (11) released a debut charity single. Morgan called the situation 'sickening' and said Cruz 'should be at school'.
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Competition winners
The winners of last week's Lidl competition are Paula Meighan from Glengormley, Gerard Mullan from Plumbridge, Noelle White from Newry and Anne Donaghy from Cappagh.
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week's Easy Peasy Recipe is baked tortilla crisps.
You will need:
1 (300g) packet flour tortillas
1 tablespoon oil
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon salt
To make:
Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4.
Cut each tortilla into 8 triangular wedges and arrange in a single layer on a baking tray.
In a mister or spray bottle, combine the oil and lime juice.
Mix well and spray each tortilla wedge until slightly moist or lightly brush on the oil and lime juice if you don't have a mister.
Combine the cumin, chilli powder and salt in a small bowl and sprinkle on the wedges.
Bake for about 7 minutes.
Rotate the tray and bake for another 8 minutes or until the wedges are crisp, but not too brown.
Serve warm or room temperature with salsas, dips or guacamole.
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Suzanne McGonagle,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
s.mcgonagle@irishnews.com
