Any day now, schools up and down the island are breaking up for their school vacations, here in Mallorca. That’s infants (3 – 6 years of age), primary school pupils (6 – 12 years), secondary school students (12 – 16) and university undergraduates. Final year Bachillerato (Baccalaureate) youngsters (16 – 18) already ended their term a few weeks ago. They had to go on and sit their selectividad exams (university entry tests). Most school kids have been celebrating with Fin de Curso activities, including a botellón or two if they are old enough and allowing for some under-age ones as well, or will have a beach party, especially today with Sant Joan being celebrated and Midsummer Night.

Some pupils will have failed their grades. In Spain, they are given a second chance and can re-sit their tests in September, something called the recuperación. They will have to make an extra effort during the Summer break and continue their studies over the next two months to try to fill in the blanks they had when last tested. A good percentage of those re-sitters will in fact manage to get a better result second time round and gain promotion to the next school year. It takes a lot of discipline to study when everybody else is enjoying themselves at the beach. Best of luck for those trying hard to study.

The photo was taken in Santa María del Camí, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: June 23rd, 2011. The time was 14:10:47.