Yearbooks – Making Future Memories

These bound mementoes might seem like something small, but for students, they represent a tangible reminder of their school days, school friends and even their teachers. And yet when we chat with school administrators they’re always asking us if yearbooks are really worth it, and what kind of things they should put in them.

So let’s answer their questions here and now!

What is a Yearbook?

A yearbook is essentially a ‘memory book’, looking over everything that’s happened during a student’s time at school. They’re typically given as students leave school, to remind them of all the experiences they had during their time there and the friends they’ve made. They’re also a popular way for leavers to collect messages from friends and teachers wishing them well for the future.

But believe it or not they weren’t always popular. In fact, for the longest time, they were something only American schools did, and we Brits just laughed at the cheesy nature of them in films and TV shows. But at some point we realised what a nice concept they were, so we adopted it and added a few British twists.

Who Are Yearbooks For?

Because of how long children stay in one school in the UK, giving a yearbook at the end of every year is just silly. So instead, schools tend to create yearbooks for the groups that are leaving school each year – Year 6 in primary school and Year 11 or 13 in secondary school.

Inside the yearbook, students will find a photo archive of everything they have done and achieved throughout their time at school. Events such as residentials, day trips, important plays and assemblies, charity days and more – as well as a professional portrait of each student and group photos of clubs, classes, friendship groups etc. There are also usually pages designed just for students and teachers to write messages, adding a personal touch to every book.

It’s a great way for students to remember old faces in the future, look back on their school days and even show their own children one day! We know a fair few adults now who still look back at their yearbooks from time to time, so why not give your children the opportunity to do the same? This is one of the big ways UK yearbooks are different to their American ancestors – while Americans focus on what the students will grow up to be, we Brits like to be sentimental and just take a moment to look back on many happy years past.

What About Pre-School?

Why let the bigger kids have all the fun? During pre-school years, kids do an awful lot of growing and learning, and a lot of the parents we speak to feel a bit sad there isn’t anything to remember that time by. We don’t like sad parents, so we put together something just for them. It’s called ‘My Little Time Capsule’, and it’s essentially a mini yearbook that’s age appropriate and captures their time at pre-school. Since nurseries and pre-schools take lots of photos of the kids doing activities, these are actually some of the easiest to put together, and parents love them!

With a professional portrait, photos of their friends and heartfelt comments from keyworkers and teachers, it’s a lovely way to remember their time before ‘Big School’!

At Smiles at School we love a good yearbook. It’s a chance to see all those grinning faces grow throughout the year and give something really thoughtful to leavers (and their parents, let’s be honest). That’s why we offer yearbook creation as a service for our school clients. And when you use us, we give full permission for your school to use any group and leavers photos we have taken for you in the yearbook at no extra charge, AND upload them to the yearbook builder for you – it’s one less thing for you to do!

And if you don’t take individual, informal photos of your School leavers? Then it’s time to give us a call.