UPDATE: Lewis Delalande, a remarkable five-year-old from Ballarat East, is set to make his debut in the classroom on Wednesday, defying the odds after a challenging start to life. Born 15 weeks prematurely and weighing just 763g during the height of the COVID pandemic, Lewis is ready to embark on his educational journey at St Francis Xavier Primary School.
In a heartwarming story of resilience, Lewis spent an arduous 135 days in the hospital, battling through severe health challenges including two brain bleeds and chronic lung disease. Despite these trials, he emerged without any ongoing complications, apart from being a bit smaller than his peers. Now, he is more than eager to tackle his new goal: “I want to learn about reading books,” Lewis stated enthusiastically.
On the first day, Lewis will join over 70 other preps across four classes at the school, contributing to a total of more than 1,700 preps starting their educational journey in Ballarat this year. His mother, Carly Delalande, expressed immense gratitude for his progress, stating, “Considering he was born so prem, we’ve been really lucky that he’s hit all of his milestones when he should.”
Excitement builds for Lewis as he prepares to reunite with friends from childcare and kinder, including his cousin Charlie, who has just moved from Mornington Peninsula to join him in grade one. “They’re very excited to play with each other and see each other in the playground,” Ms. Delalande shared, highlighting the joy of reconnecting after living two hours apart.
In the days leading up to this milestone, Lewis has been practicing essential school skills, such as wearing his shoes and learning how to open his lunchbox. His family is optimistic about his transition, especially since he has been accustomed to school environments through trips to pick up his older brother, Harvey, who is starting year seven this week.
As families across the region prepare for the school year, Lewis’s story shines a light on hope and determination. With the support of his family and friends, he is “all set and ready to go,” ready to embrace the challenges and joys of school life.
Lewis Delalande’s journey from a fragile beginning to a confident schoolboy exemplifies the power of resilience, making this an inspiring moment for parents and children alike as they step into the new academic year together.
