Tuesday, February 16

Any ideas????

This post is a bit of a rant about school stuff - probably more for me than for you but I welcome any comments or advice.....

It has been tough round here with everyone adjusting to change and I don't think any of us are coping very well. The twins have just started kinder and while the first couple of sessions were fine now they have separation issues. I know that is to be expected and it is all normal, but B. literally cried himself to sleep, and slept in the doorway for the whole session -- even snoring! S. I think is more resilient and got on with things. It is hard when there are two of them, fueling each other, but after hanging up from the kinder teacher, I get a call from the school principal about the other one.
Seriously it doesn't rain it pours. We have been dealing with a difficult personality for a year (peer), and while we thought they were in separate classes it turns out they are in a shared class - team teaching.
Team teaching is apparently what the Victorian Education system is moving towards under their "Education Framework", and Alexander is in a trial class. I have a number of issues, the main one being the lack of communication from the school. I understand that really they didn't want to tell us because of our fear of the unknown and change, but I think many of those fears are based in fact.
I feel that it is my job to make sure that my children are offered the best opportunities at school. I enjoyed school and I hope for the same for my boys, but I am worried about some of my choices. I chose a school based on four key factors - strong male presence in leadership and teaching roles, small class sizes, good facilities and a range of specialist classes. In the 18 months since I made the decision, all of this has changed. A new principal and vice and experienced male teachers leaving. Now we have team teaching with 45 kids in the class. This trial is about qualifying for funding so that they can build more shared spaces - so not only increased team teaching, but also construction for a number of years. A. is in the old library which has been replaced by a little room with books, and all the specialist classes have been reduced due to the ever increasing student population.
On top of this, it is my feeling that there is a little personality issue between A. and the teacher (and us) and he is more naturally drawn to the other one- and it is my feeling that the teacher believes him to be a trouble maker/ naughty child, which he truly is not. (He is my good one, I can only imagine what she would do with the twins!!!)
My dilemma - do I keep him where is is and soldier on, with the school number on redial, regular meetings, bullying issues to work through. Do I risk him getting lost in the crowd of 45 kids. Will he thrive or just survive. He lacks a real buddy, which is where a lot of the issues stem from, but how much can/should I do in order to 'fix' it. What about the educational issues which are fundamental for a 6 year old.
OR do I move him? Will this just be more disruptive. I run the risk of just moving to a different problem, to a new environment which he doesn't know and doesn't even know the kids, let alone have any friends. And new school could just 'sell' me in the same way, and all be different once you are enrolled. I just don't know......................

2 comments:

  1. oh nic, I don't know either - we're not there yet, but I think you have to follow your instinct on this, does A look like he'll get through it and be better for it or is it shattering his confidence... I wish I knew the answer that would help you with this one. Sending you lots of hugs, Jo x

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  2. Apart from your angst, you know what I read in this post? How much you love your kids. I have all this ahead of me and to be honest its a bit scary (especially if schools change the goal posts!). So without any experience with schools the only thing I could offer is to perhaps ask A what he thinks and how he feels about the class size, changes etc. He may find it ok. If not then you can discuss how he feels about moving...? Just my 2 cents worth. xx

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