18/08/2026
Every year when selective school results come out, it brings back the emotions I experienced in 2020, when I was eagerly waiting for my son’s results.
Lots of anxiety. Lots of expectations. And lots of preconceived ideas about how we would either celebrate or console ourselves.
It felt like an exam more important than any other.
Leading up to it were countless practice tests, preparation, late nights, moments of disappointment, glimpses of hope, fear of failure, and that strong desire to taste success.
I still remember very fondly that Friday afternoon in 2020 when the results came out.
But one feeling I remember even more clearly was the sense, before the results arrived, that I was content with the effort my son had put in.
I remember looking at him when he came home from school, that young, innocent Year 6 face, and wondering what was going through his mind. In his eyes, I could almost see him wondering how Mum and Dad would react if he didn’t make it.
And in that moment, I found myself wondering:
Did he know whether he was doing this for himself or for us?
Did this result mean more to him... or to me?
It suddenly made me realise how, as life progresses, we continue to raise our expectations of ourselves and of each other. How, more often than not, we find reasons to be disappointed.
Because somehow, what we have is never quite enough.
One success is quickly followed by the next expectation. One milestone becomes the starting point for another. And somewhere in that cycle, we can forget to stop and celebrate what we already have.
So, to every parent and every child waiting for selective school results today:
Whatever the outcome, don’t forget to celebrate how blessed you already are. No test result can change that.
Those young faces may not care nearly as much about the result if they can look into your eyes and see how proud you are of them, regardless of the outcome.
Celebrate their effort.
Celebrate their courage.
Celebrate how far they have already come.
There will always be another test, another challenge, another opportunity.
But there will never be another today.
KEEP BELIEVING.
All the very best to every student and every family waiting for their results. ❤️
