School

High School. It is a topic that has filled my brain and my conversations over the last few days. I don't know what started it, but now its all I can think of. Xandy is in grade 4 and as he tells me there are still 2.5 years until it starts, but at the moment it is all I can see.

I had always assumed my kids (this is back when they were imaginary) would go to private school. Which one was never a concern as it really didn't matter (for my imaginary kids) just that I would be up for some major fundage in the far distant future.

Fast forward a little way to when I have kid - one that is, and at this point I can see I would move heaven and earth to give him the best of everything. If we need to move to be closer to a school that suits his needs then so be it. Step forward a couple more years when I am "blessed" with two more boys and the vision starts to get a little blurry. There are now three boys to think about with different needs and two of those will be doing whatever at the same time. I was thinking about logistics.

Then BAM! Here I am today, and my reality is not looking so pretty. Logistics is the least of my problems. I started looking at school fees. (disregard the fact that no ones name is down anywhere - I always figure if you have the cash they will find you a spot). School fees for the top tier private schools are coming in at around $30K. Thats per year. Per Kid. Now.

I (now its imaginary me) would not start paying for another 2.5 years, so I would need to anticipate increases in fees and charges. Then a couple of years into it, I have to times that by 3! I can't imagine finding $90K per year just for kids education. That is $264 per day every day of the year. Or 410.27 per hour - every single hour. I would be looking at an investment in education for three kids of over half a million dollars! In nine years a decent private school would cost me over $540K. They  give me longer to pay off my mortgage.

I think I need to change my thinking. While I went through private school and I really value education, I cannot see that there is over half a million dollars better education at a private school. If we did it, there would be NOTHING else. Probably not even food, let alone the clothes and trips needed to keep up with the Jones'. With that money I could pay for some kick ass tutors and some fabulous trips where the boys would learn much more. The other problem then is my local high school.

Sadly while it is very close, it is not very good. It has a bad reputation for bad behaviour and is seen as the school of last resort. Most people (myself included) would rather drive past it than force my kids to go there. It should service a really large population given the lack of high schools in the area, but it is small and i don't like it. My alternatives are schools either direction, both of which are zoned because of their high numbers. Both have good reputations in terms of academic achievement and offer a wide range of subjects and opportunities. One has too many boys, due to the nearby government girls school, and they take girls as a priority outside of zone. Sadly, don't have any of those. The other school is looking good, but I am worried as its my only option.

I did look at 2nd tier private schools. Their fees are about $20k per year. Yes less, but still a lot. I figure if you are paying for the education, you want bang for your buck and this really doesn't offer it. Then there are the Catholic schools. These are much more reasonable at $5 - $7K per year. Much more doable. On the down side, many of them are single sex, and with a house full of boys, I really would prefer the boys mix with girls somewhere along the line. The other, and bigger problem, is that we are not Catholic.

It really does seem like my eggs are all in one basket. I will be one of those parents who starts nagging at the school to let their kid in. The other option is moving a few streets away so that we are in zone and hope it doesn't change in the next couple of years. Its sad when a new house is cheaper than an education.

Mad Scientist

The boys have been desperate to do some science experiments. They are right into potions and lotions (mainly making all of my lotions into not very useful potions!) So I bought some kits which have all the paraphernalia for experiments and they love them. 

We took this further later when we did a classic bicarb and vinegar explosion.

Grand Fair

I took a bigger role this year  - working on the sausage sizzle (ugh) knowing the kids would all be fine. They had their wrist bands and were off with their mates and what a time they had. They are all so adventurous and independent. Where have the babies gone?

Walk to school day

School Fair

Our little clown was performing in the junior choir at the school's grand fair which had a circus theme. He did a great job of 'sleepy geeves' or Daydream Believer by the Monkees!

Then for him it was off to play and with great weather we had a fabulous turn out and I even managed my first go at face painting. Much more elaborate set up and expectations than I had imagined, but it was ok. (Funny there are no photos of it!!)

And BEST of all I got my pine box! The old pine shops that used to be around don't seem to be around anymore and I couldn't find a wooden toy box to put in all our dress ups. Low and behold there was exactly what I wanted at the school trash and treasure - much cheaper than the options on ebay and the little boys love it.

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......................

Walk to school day

Walk to School day was highly promoted at school and actually most people did it. It was a really lovely experience (it would have been a nice day to drive because i could actually get a park right outside school!!) Mum looked after the twins and Alexander and I had a brisk walk up hill to school. It was really nice to have that time together, being active and chatting. A much calmer way to start the day.

School is Cool

Our little boy on his first day of school today, and what a day! There were no tears, no pushing, he was eager, excited and so ready to go. While there is much debate about holding kids back etc, I think this is a really individual choice, and you really need to know your own children. I was pretty sure Alexander would go when he was scheduled to, even though he only turned 5 in January and today I felt we'd done the right thing. He is eager to learn new things, meet new people and just get out there and do it! We got a quick kiss at the door and he was off - he didn't even look back. Just hung his bag up and sat down to start work. We stood at the window watching for a while, waiting to see if he would need us or if there was anything else to do, but he was already engrossed in coversation with a new friend that he didn't even see us leave. He is well and truly a school boy now with a very proud mum and dad.

Getting closer

(Pic to come, have to get it off mobile!!)
Alexander got to meet some new school friends today when we went to a prep picnic. While it was hot, there was a great attendance. We met some lovely kids and I think it has served to make the experience more exciting. He is looking forward to starting and meeting (and playing with) a lot of new people. The best thing was all of the prep teachers attended. Not only that, but they walked around, met everybody and actually remembered a lot of the kids names from the transition days and special things about them. I thought it was really lovely and I am sure the kids did too. Only one week to go.........

A school boy?

I bought Alexander's school shoes and socks today, which was the last remaining items for his school uniform. For some reason this was the final piece for him to get excited about starting school. He put the entire uniform on and insisted on wearing it. I am happy that he is excited and really have no problem with him getting it dirty. Really he has another seven years in lovely gold polo shirts, I am sure the excitement will wear off but for now we will enjoy it.