The crossing of the bridge marks the transition from Kindergarten to Primary School and the beginning of formal learning for the children. The parents remained on one side of the bridge (with nary a dry eye), as each class journeyed hand-in-hand to the other side, led by their teacher for the next seven years. The words of the Shearwater song seemed particularly poignant as these little Shearwaters heeded the 'call to leave home':
'Give us the courage on this our first flight in search of the sun and its life-giving light.'