Always a Christian

Eight-year-old Courtney (Chatham) reflects on life, school and her future.

I am eight years old and in Year 4 at school. I live with my mum and dad and my brother. We have two guinea pigs called Cocoa Beans and Nissandro – Nissandro because we were in our Nissan and couldn’t think of a name, so it kind of stuck.

Every day I wake up and get dressed for school – my hair is the most important thing.

There is always drama. It doesn’t matter who I’m with, there is always drama. But I love drama. If you had the same simple routine every day, it would be boring. Drama keeps life exciting, people!

At school, last year was tough for us because we kept switching teachers. There were a lot of behaviour problems. But school is a fun place to be.

I don’t have any problems with learning, but there are a few friendship problems. Some people I don’t get on with and that makes school hard. Doesn’t everyone have someone they don’t get along with?

There was this tricky person in my class, but the teachers found a really good way to keep us separate. I went up to them and said we don’t have to be besties, or even friends, but we have to learn to be polite to each other and respect each other.

No matter how you get knocked down in life, it’s about how you get up.

Lots of people help me. My last teacher really helped me. We have a really strong bond. She has been working with me since reception class. She taught me some breathing and we did loads of arts and crafts.

My new teacher, Miss Goodchild, helps me with breathing. When there is drama in the class she always deals with it in a nice way. I think her name explains how she is – good with children.

I have a TA in my class, Mr Heron. He is our French teacher. If I can’t go to my teacher, I can go to him. In fact, every teacher in the school is so supportive to every student. In Mental Health Week, they go all out – we can go in our own clothes and they have extra people to help us.

I am proud to say I am a Christian. My favourite song is ‘Wonderful Lord’ and I enjoy reading the stories in Genesis and Exodus. My church co-worker, Tracy, was helping me to become a leader and was helping me with my emotions. She taught me a good exercise to help calm me: say five things I can see, four things I can touch, three things I can hear, two things I can smell and one thing I can taste. That really helped me.

I love to read – Matilda is my favourite book – but at the moment I am a dancer and that takes a lot of my time. I’ve already got a good dance career. I’ve won loads of trophies and, even at the age of five, I got distinctions in my dance exams.

When I was younger, I liked Whitney Houston. I know I can’t speak to her today, but I take voice lessons online and I know she would be proud of me following in her footsteps.

Since I am a Christian, I only want to sing and dance to gospel songs, but I have always liked pop and street dance and doing my own moves. I know with help and family and lots of hard work I can achieve so much.

I am excited about the future. As an adult you can control your life and make your own choices. You are more mature and have a better understanding.

My dream is to become an author, a dancer, a singer. But always be a Christian.