The Nutshell w/e 4th July

Scarlett Layton

Year 8

‘My time at Hazelwood has been memorable to say the least. I remember my first day like it was yesterday: I was very nervous, so much so that I insisted on taking my favourite meerkat teddy to class that day. I was greeted by Mrs Cross, who had my future best-friend in hand - little did I know how close India and I would be in the future. She offered to be my buddy and showed me around the classroom. From that day on, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here - from Oak, when I joined, to the end of Year Eight.

I remember in Year 1, wearing a tartan pinafore and thinking I was very cool being so grown-up; it makes me smile every time I see the tiny Year 1 pupils now, as it makes me reflect on my time here at Hazelwood and how I have matured and learned about the importance of friendship and developing one’s identity. Leading on from this idea, Hazelwood has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friends and taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me to Caterham and beyond, such as the importance of resilience in the classroom and sports field, as well as compassion in the playground.

Some particularly fond memories of my time here include our recent trip to Barcelona, being carefree on the beach, and our choir trip to Verona in which we won Best Song. During Covid, while I was sad not to see my friends in person, my teachers made it a fun experience despite the struggle of technology. I even remember logging myself out of our Google Classroom on purpose just so that I could attempt to skip a day - to no avail!

In Year 6, my first day was filled with anticipation about when we were getting iPads, even looking through my camera roll now gives just a small snapshot of my epic time here. Without Hazelwood, I would not have been able to indulge myself in new activities like Chapel Choir and football, or compete in the IAPS National Swimming Finals; I would not have won a poetry competition, earned the HECA Award, or performed as a geriatric boxer in the Year 6 play. Achieving the Tippet Performing Arts Scholarship gave me a sense of achievement and pride, as did dissecting a lamb’s heart in Science, and having my bookmark published in the Library, while in Year 5.

With the support of my teachers, I have learnt new skills that I have stepped out of my comfort zone to try. I will be forever grateful for those teachers who helped me to become the best version of myself and that have provided me with the confidence and belief to begin the next stage of my school journey. Although I have enjoyed my time here, and I believe Hazelwood has shaped who I am today, I feel ready to take that next step and will do so with the happiest memories at heart’.

Read full Nutshell here