kids in school

[scottish-kiwi]

howdy everyone,
if uk kids finish, say p5 in uk in june/july then we got to oz i understand they would repeat a few months until commencing oz equivalent of p6 in jan/feb. has anyone with kids gone over and then returned while kids still of a school age coz just wondering if it didnt work out and we returned to uk would the kids then have to miss out on a few months.does this make sense????

[BullcreekBob]

G'day

The UK cirriculum is quite different to the cirricula used over here. Each state is different, and there are differences between state schools and religious (private) schools and there are differences between schools within the same system.

If a child left the UK came here for a year then went back to the UK they would not know the same things as other kids their age. They would have been taught different things while here. Similarly, an Aussie kid going to the UK for a year then coming back would not know stuff that the other kids in his Aussie class knew. However in neither case would the kid be expected to go back and repeat anything, they would just need to catch up on those things that were different and they missed out on, but in some area they'd be ahead because of what they learnt in the other system.

The only time it could be an issue about changing schools and systems in when the kids are preparing for their final exams, which in WA is the year in which they turn 17.

Cheers
Bob in Bull Creek

[scottish-kiwi]

thanks bob - looks like we'll have to stay then!

[SuzieQ]

Fully agree with Bob. Our Son started school in OZ in '96 in Reception/YR1. We returned to the UK 17 months later and unfortunately he was quite behind compared to the English children. Whereas he had spent a year drawing and expressing himself in other ways in OZ which BTW I think is better cos theres plenty of time for all that academic stuff, the English kids were reading, writing, etc, etc! I think it works more in your favour going to OZ but not so if coming back to the UK. They use to encourage boys to start at 6 in OZ, social/maturity reasons. Our Son had a July b/day so some kids were over a year older than him!

He did catch up by YR6. Don't let that stop you, think of all the wonderful experiences gained and world knowledge which beats education. You might love it and not want to come back.

Good luck wotever you decide.