It's been a rollercoaster week and a half.I feel I should report in about our first (half) week back at school especially given that there have been some changes here at Clan EasternMax.
First, after a rollercoaster week and a half, Padawan Learner started at a new school. We were offered a place at this school on Monday 19th, accepted it on Tuesday the 20th and then spent the rest of the week organising uniforms, booklists, visiting the school, meeting the teacher and then breaking the news to PL's friends.
So, why a new school? Until this year PL has gone to our local public school. A fabulous school that Blossom still attends. However, I'm a firm believer in recognising the individual needs of each child and I am not afraid to differentiate between them if I judge it to be in their best interest. While our local school has been an amazing place for Blossom it hasn't been the same experience for PL.
Our local school has increased by 200 students in the last five years and is bursting at the seams. Blossom thrives in this environment, PL does not. In addition PL needs considerable Occupational Therapy intervention which has been difficult to integrate into his normal day. The new school is smaller, has on site OT and has great pastoral care.
So that's been my week. Two schools. Two drop-offs. Two Pickups. I must be completely out of my mind.
First, after a rollercoaster week and a half, Padawan Learner started at a new school. We were offered a place at this school on Monday 19th, accepted it on Tuesday the 20th and then spent the rest of the week organising uniforms, booklists, visiting the school, meeting the teacher and then breaking the news to PL's friends.
So, why a new school? Until this year PL has gone to our local public school. A fabulous school that Blossom still attends. However, I'm a firm believer in recognising the individual needs of each child and I am not afraid to differentiate between them if I judge it to be in their best interest. While our local school has been an amazing place for Blossom it hasn't been the same experience for PL.
Our local school has increased by 200 students in the last five years and is bursting at the seams. Blossom thrives in this environment, PL does not. In addition PL needs considerable Occupational Therapy intervention which has been difficult to integrate into his normal day. The new school is smaller, has on site OT and has great pastoral care.
I'm fortunate to have a choice.
While PL misses his old friends (as you would expect with a change of school) he has a sparkle in his eyes that I haven't seen for about TWO YEARS. He is motivated and he now even has his own blog where he is recording his thoughts about his new environment (sorry, it's a private authors-only blog).
Meanwhile all is good at Blossom's school. She loves her new teacher who she says is a "medium-level happy-dancey" type. She is with her friends and she has met some new girls who arrived at the school this year. Smiles all 'round. The only thing she's cross about his that PL gets four more weeks holiday than she does! (it's the Pay.More.Get.Less system of the private schools).
So that's been my week. Two schools. Two drop-offs. Two Pickups. I must be completely out of my mind.
14 comments:
We're totally opposite!
I'm so averse to the drop off and pick up that I teach at the same school as ALL of my kids. Nothing like hopping in the car in the morning and the whole family going to the same place...
Junior likes his new school so much (he shifted there last year), he was out the door at 6.50am on the first day - he walked all the way there because there are no school buses that early (I've never measured it, but it must be a 5km hike).
I'm sure I was never that enthusiastic about school.
Good on you for making the difficult decision to have them at separate schools.
I dread the day when the older one goes to secondary school, even though it is only about 200 metres from the primary school.
I hope it works out well for you and PL.
I'm dreading the double drop off too. I'm sure once you're into a routine it will be a piece of cake though.
I hope PL' sparkle continues and good to hear Blossom has a happy-dancey teacher!
Yes but we all do whatever it takes if we think it is for the best for our kids...
Good for you M...
Australia could do with those big old yellow schoolbuses that you see around here in their millions.
A system which, now I come to think about it, has vaguely socialist overtones that don't sit at all well with the rest of this country ...
Hope the school year continues in this happy way.
I'm happy for PL. I hope he remains happy and well adjusted at his new school.
Brave decision. Obviously one made with lots of good information and forethought. I'm so glad it's working out for all of you.
I hope PL thrives in his new school environment.
Well done on recognising the individual learning needs of your children, and being able to provide / offer them what they both need.
I'm so glad you were able to do this for PL! The wrong atmosphere can do such damage to a child. The right one can bring out their best qualities and help them develop into capable, confident people. Tougher on you in the short term, but easier in the long run.
good on you for the move.
We dont have the choice here, being in the country, so hopefully, my girls will be ok. The nearest private school is 50km away.
I like the "medium level happy dancy type" very descriptive, I think my oldest would be "high level"
Hi M - finally able to sit down and visit some blogs after returning from o/s!
Looks like you had a busy couple of weeks before the return to school! Yes, and don't you just love "pay more get less days" (or more holidays from the kids point of view!)
I am looking forward to the single drop off next year down from my current two.
just so admire your ability and care taken in knowing what is right for your kids .... two drop offs - who cares ... isn't mothering a vocation after all - and a job worth doing ... our most important work - fullstop.
How is it going? I'm thinking of you all. My 10 month hiatus from making school lunches and doing school drop offs has come to an unfortunate end (it was soooo good while is lasted). I suppose I am lucky though as the Major is still doing the pickup from ASC.
PS. Did you get your book? Sorry I didn't put a note with it but it was a rush trip into the PO.
PPS. I loved it and have since read the next two and am waiting on the last one from a local friend.
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