Warrat

I’ve recently googled about ATAR and discovered it’s apparently recognised by UK universities. Can your school here advise on international pathways?

Hi. Just wondering if anyone can advise on my citizenship experience? I applied in July 2019 and sat my test about a week before Christmas 2019. I have myself and daughter on my application and we are UK citizens. I passed 100%. My husband sat his test a month later and also passed. He has already received a letter saying he’s approved awaiting ceremony. I’ve still not even had a letter confirming I passed the test and it’s now around 6 months since my test. I did call before Covid restrictions kicked in but the operative was quite short and said I’m well within processing times and shouldn’t chase it. I’m assuming things are now frozen due to Covid and I’m unlikely to see any further progress for the foreseeable future. Looking at other timelines the 6 months to letter post test seems long? Any advice appreciated.

Hi Everyone,

I'd Just like to say in advance thank you for taking your time in reading this and for responding as anything anyone has to say is very helpful.

Our story is we are from Hertfordshire in the UK, we have 2 beautiful outgoing, outdoorsy kids of 5 and 4. My husband has worked in Property for the same company for 25 years and is now the Sales Director for the past 5 years of a very successful chain of Estate Agencies in North London. I gave up working in Recruitment in the city to look after my kids though am keen to get back into the swing of things when we get to Oz.

We're able to come over and be mortgage free, with cars and a little in the bank (not huge amount by any means) though will see us ok for 12 months.

We were initially thinking of Adelaide as we have family there, though we love nature, wildlife, the ocean, the great outdoors, and laid back lifestyle, love the tropics and are very sociable people. We are looking at the Sunshine Coast and are gobsmacked at the houses and land you can purchase. My anxiety doesn't lye with any of those points but whether we will be able to find work?

And live the dream? As silly as that may seem. We have had enough of the fast pace, we want to start enjoying life more, but we dont want to struggle trying to reach our dreams if that makes sense. We are both on the other side of our Mid 40's though are quite young at heart people. We are more than capable of working hard, and giving things a go. The other thing is Steve has left everything to me and I really dont know where to start looking for houses? What suburbs? Do I look at the schools first? State that is. Do I look at distance? Where the jobs are? I wouldn't know what the nicer family areas are, We have been told Doonan is great? Also is it easy to meet people and make good friends? We envisage our weekends being spent having people around for BBQs with all the kids in the pools and just generally having a great life.

If anyone has any advice with areas, schooling, work, and meeting people and any advice regarding the move and transition, what we may need to consider I truly would love to hear from you. Thanks again Sharron x

Hi Sharon,

Good luck with your move. We came back from QLD earlier this year as my husband was head-hunted, but we were out in QLD for just over a year. I should just point out that we totally regret coming back and don't expect to last the year before heading back to where we now consider home!

I take earlier points about finding work first - obviously this is really important. There are some nice suburbs close to Brisbane but with plenty of stuff for the kids to do and some great schools and new train links. Have you considered North Lakes/Mango Hill? The property market there is booming and further development is going on. Mango Hill State School is reportedly brilliant and there is a very good and well priced private school in North Lakes. The shopping facilities have recently had an upgrade and addition of a cinema and Ikea. On top of that it is an incredibly friendly place - we settled incredibly quickly. I think this is probably due to the very diverse population and everyone being far away from family and friends - I would now say this area houses many life-long friends.

Obviously there are loads of other great suburbs, but this is worth a look at! I also would recommend the Scarborough Beach Resort who have been known to do a good deal for a stay of several months while you're waiting for shipping to arrive.

Good luck

Hoping someone can help! I'm moving back to the UK after just 12 months in Australia on a PR visa - my DH left 3 months ago due to a job offer in the UK.

He is on a 3 year contract in the UK, after which we may return to Australia. I've cancelled his private medical, but still have mine and am wondering if I should cancel or suspend it - I don't really want to keep paying as it's so expensive! If we cancel and return I'm concerned about the age loading as we are both over 31.

While I've been trying to investigate I've also seen information online, which is not too clear, about permanent residents overseas who do not have private medical insurance in Oz being liable for the Medicare levy, so assume we will still need to complete tax returns as PR never technically expires....so even if we decide not to return - does anyone know or have experience of dealing with private medical and medicare once they've returned to the UK?

We are moving back to uk - when is the best month to arrive to enrol a child starting reception and another starting year one? My son only turns 4 in July - I wish we could hold him back a year like you can in oz!

 

All this talk about school catchment and lottery systems has me panicking that we won't be able to get the kids into the school nearest to where we will be living!

Applications usually go in early in the calendar year, however you can do mid year applications. The best thing is to contact the schools that you are interested in and enquire about availability of year 1 places.

With regard to delaying entry for your July born - it is not impossible and worth enquiring. There have been reports about a UK mother winning a court case recently because her council rejected her application to delay. There has also been this recent article in the Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3059609/Parents-summer-born-babies-right-delay-entry-school-new-Tory-plans.html

I am the mother of an August born, who started school a week after turning 4, saying that she coped very well, but the first year for me was very stressful!!!!

Personally I think if you can get back for the start of the school year - end of Aug, beginning of Sept (dependant on your county) then the children will get a full UK school year in.

I wish you luck - schools for me are probably the most stressful thing when I am moving - we put ourselves under so much pressure to get it right first time, but you will get a better picture of things when you are there.