Proud Mum

[ali]

I wasn't sure about putting this on, but Janette said it would be good to show how the kids can settle. I'm a very proud mum at the moment - As you know we arrived in January and the children have just completed their first year of school here - Alexandra in year 7 and Tom in year 2. Those who know me will know that Tom was rather indifferent to school in the UK, whilst he did well academically there used to be one or two comments from teachers that he used to push the boundaries and in reception, I got told his behaviour left alot to be desired and when I enquired about the terrible things he must be doing to have that label put upon him at 4 years old I was told that he was talking on the carpet when he should have been quiet!!! He's just brought home an excellent report, All A's and B's and excellent comments about his attitude, work and his kindness to others and what a pleasure he's been to teach and have in the class - not one negative remark in sight.

 

My daughter had her graduation (from Primary) yesterday and received one of the special awards (and will go on the honours boards), she too got an excellent report and her WALNA (like Sats) results indicate she's in the top 10% of the state.

 

We turned our childrens lives around last year by making the decision to take them away from everything and everyone that was familiar to them and who they loved. They have rewarded us by throwing themselves into the challenge of their new lives with alot of maturity (for their young age) and enthusiasm and we're very proud of them.

 

I hope this reassures mums and dads getting ready to make the move - Alex has continued to do well and Tom has thrived here.

 

Ali

[Guest BullcreekBob]

G'day Ali

 

That's great news about Alex, I can imagine you are (deservedly) proud for her.

 

I think it is easier for younger kids when they migrate, it gives them time to settle in while there's not as much pressure as they get in later years to perform, week in, week out.

[Guest The Picketts]

Hi Ali - just wanted to add our congratulations to Alex and Tom, well done to the pair of them. Look forward to meeting you all again at the next meet.

 

Cheryl & Geoff x

[Guest Mrs Braveheart]

Hi Ali

 

Again congrats to both Alex & Tom and yes it just shows how much they have settle in.

 

Love

 

Janette

[alcocainmel]

Hi Ali

 

Just want to say to both Alex and Tom!!

Well done to you as well they couldnt have done it without you I am sure!!

 

Deb xx

[Guest col&dee]

What a lovely story Ali - you are quite right to be proud of Alex and Tom (well done to both of them). :yes:

 

Hope you all have a great summer holiday and have just as successful a year in 2008 for your 2nd year in OZ!!:v_SPIN:

 

Denise

[Jo&Rich]

Hi, that's great news, glad they have settled so well.

My four year old did a year at nursery in England, and was the youngest in the class. He struggled to settle in, and was behind the others; partly due to his age, and also because children all develop at different rates as you all know. By the end of the year, he had made a couple of friends, and I was worried about moving him and having to struggle again, but we did in September this year, moving to the Gold Coast. He has only been at kindy a couple of months, but the change in him is enormous. He used to be shy, now he will talk to anyone who says hello, and he actually wants to go to kindy and play with the other kids. The pressure put on three and four year olds in the UK to learn at "big school" came a bit too soon for him I think; now he wants to learn, and can do so at his own pace; doesn't start prep for another year yet! This has done his confidence the world of good, and makes me feel it was worth it when I have my (frequent!) moments of doubting whether we did the right thing. Joanne

[Guest EM&M]

HI Ali,

 

What a great post. You were def correct to write it, us mums never know what to do for the best and always just try our hardest to get it right.

 

Em x

[Guest PaulnLisa]

Hi Ali

Thanks for sharing that with us, it brought tears to my eyes, you must be so proud. I have felt so guilty about taking my 4 year old away from his school friends in England, he starts prep in January and he is really looking forward to it I hope he does as well as your son, I would love to be able to put a post on like yours in a years time.

Lisa

[Guest mandy&Jem]

Ali, fabulous news! Im so pleased that your children are doing so well. I believe some teachers are too quick to judge childrens behaviour and label them as being naughty or disruptive. I too had the same problems with my son at such a young age. He was always distracted or distracting others, he was lablelled as naughty in class. His teacher was so negative about him, hes a lovley boy but..... he cant even tell the time.........disruptive.........lacks concentration.................he told me she was always telling him off......I couldnt understand because he was such a good boy at home. I found out two of his cousins were dyslexic and i looked this up to find it described my son perfectly. .............so i approached the school..........they said no dont be silly he is not dyslexic. I took him to an private educational psychiatrist who assessed hom for dyslexia.....and guess what.......he was! ...........I immediatly took him out of that school, ( i felt so guilty taking him away from his friends) and put him in another school, where he thrived, made loads of friends and had lovley reports......Teachers loved him................his inteligence was above average but if he didnt understand or was bored he would lose concentration..........he forgets everything....lol..............pe kit ect.....(thats now at 14 years old. lol. i have to do a check list with every morning.) Any way my point being all children are different and are quite resilient, so with the right care and understanding they will be fine........... so Hang on in there!

[Kabroom]

Hi Ali,

 

That's great news well done to Tom and Alex, it's nice to hear children settling so well.

 

Wendy

[Guest haze,n,mart]

hi ali

thanks for sharing that with us i think we all feel guilty about taking them out of school here and away from all their friends . it is only the last year my daughter has really settled to going to school and she is 10 she still doesnt love it but she goes without tears and seems to be getting on better i am hoping there will be more involvement with school and more help for her as she really struggles with maths and our school seems to concentrate more on the ones who are academic .

well done to both your children.

haze xx

 

[calNgary]

Thats great news Ali and i can understand how impressed you are,,it sure feels great to see them settled ..Zak has never been an A student and recieved similar comments to Tom but on his report here he seems to have calmed a little and has got his first A (which has cost me $20,lol) lets hope he dosnt make a habit of it or ill be skint!!!lol,,what has Toms results cost you??

Cal x

[ali]

Thanks everyone - Alex is at her graduation dance tonight and mum is the one going without wine so she can pick her up lol. I think it hit me her getting her award they have both really worked very hard this year, making new friends, settling into a new school, new country and completly different way of teaching.

 

Mandy I thought Tom had changed into a monster overnight when the teacher in the UK was so negative, she wasn't impressed with me when I asked her to tell me how she went about praising my child when he actually did well - I don't think she ever spoke to me again and it must have killed her to write a good luck message in his card from all the infants.

 

Cal $20 must be the going rate here 'cos I had to cough up $20 each too.

[keily]

HI ALI .... WHAT A GREAT POST [ MRS B WAS RIGHT ] IM SURE IT WILL BE A GREAT COMFORT TO LOTS OF MUMS AND DADS ON HERE WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT MOVING THEIR WEE ONES ... IT DOES PROVE THAT KIDS CAN ADJUST VERY QUICKLY..... SOMETIMES BETTER THAN THEIR PARENTS !!!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

MRS KEILY :notworthy:

[Guest wardy]

Great post Ali, you obviously did the right thing taking the kids to Australia its bringing out the best in them. :notworthy:

 

Its like I always tell my lads even if I do something for you that you dont like or approve of (like moving to Australia) I would never do anything that would hurt you.

 

I think thats the reason they have come round to the idea of Oz so readily they know that I think it will bring out the best in them,......well lets hope so anyway.

[Guest the ps]

Hi Ali

Thats so encouraging for those of us who have children and are worried about the big move !

Brenda :wubclub:

[Guest The.Colebecks]

That's such lovely news, 'well done kids on your efforts'

 

I'm really glad you did post this message Ali. One of the things I keep battling with myself over is if its the right thing to be doing, uprooting the kids, taking them to the other side of the world and putting them into a school where they don't know a soul - reading how your children have thrown themselves into the challenge is very encouraging and I'll keep my fingers crossed that our three will flourish as your two undoubtedly have :yes:

 

Hugs

Karen xx

 

p.s. Leeming and surrouding areas are places we will be looking at when we arrive - what are the primary/junior & high schools like in your area, any to specifically avoid or make a bee-line for?

 

 

[Guest foggy]

Hi Ali,

As someone has said already what a great thread. As a mum of two it is so heartwarming to hear about your children settling so well. Well Done to your children and a big hug and well done to you too, for being a fab Mum ( Lifes Hardest Job!!!!)

Love Sue XX

[Guest TokenPaddy]

Hi Ali

 

How fantastic is that. Congratulations and well done Alexandra and Tom keep up the good work.

 

Ali now might be a good time to send an email to their old school and let them know how wrong they got it!!!

 

Cheers

 

Anne

[Guest matt&dan]

Hello Ali

 

I can see why you are so proud that is fantastic news

Big congratulations to your children and to you for making the move to OZ in the first place

x

[ali]

Hi Karen,

 

Honestly, all the schools in this area have a good reputation. I chose Leeming because I just had a really nice feel for it after corresponding with the Principle several times, he was extreamly helpful. Children are encouraged to help others and take responsiblilities, they have a head boy and girl, sports captains (for the houses), peer group mediators and councellors. I know Minlady has also choosen Leeming Primary and has had some positive correspondence with them.

 

When we went to the high school last month to meet the teachers, they also said that you're quite literally spoilt for choice in this area as the schools are highly regarded. Of course I'm really proud of the childrens acievements this year the thing that's really been a comfort is that they seem really happy there, which at the moment means more than academic achievements. (I'm sure as she enters year 12 I'll be nagging her to study for her exams lol).

 

Toms teacher gave them all a CD containing photo's of them that she'd taken during the year of them doing experiments, doing a show for the school assembly, out on field trips etc.,... it's little things like that which for me make me like the school, teachers doing that little bit extra to thank and encourage their students.

 

I'm sure we've had a little something to do with their settling here but to be honest whilst at school they've been on their own, they've been the ones who've made the effort and had to make friends etc. Tom in particular has loved all your comments - he's now charging $5 for his autograph - Alex doesn't do publicity lol

Ali

[Guest monty]

Ali

 

What are lovely post to read, I'm sure that it will give a lot of reassurance to all those parents who are feeling a whole bundle of mixed emotions (GUILT being a biggie!!!!)with regard to the impact of starting a whole new life in unfamiliar surroundings.

 

Your children have obviously grasped the nettle and made the most of all the opportunities open to them. Although its important to remember that you and their dad must take some credit they wouldn't be who they are today without your love, help and support. Often as parents we have a tendency to blame ourselves when things aren't going to plan and sometimes it's not our fault!!!! So what I'm trying to say is I'm glad you are a very proud mum and your children are obviously a credit to you BUT don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back too!!!!! Its a family achievement!!!

 

Montyx

[KazzE]

Hi Ali,

absolutly right to post this, we all want the best for our children and this just shows that they can thrive in Oz

 

Of course having such a great Mum (and Dad too) and your input to thier upbringing must take some credit for how well they are doing

Go on indulge yourself, feel proud:yes:

 

 

huge congratulations to your super dooper children:)

[Guest The.Colebecks]

Hi Karen,

 

Honestly, all the schools in this area have a good reputation. I chose Leeming because I just had a really nice feel for it after corresponding with the Principle several times, he was extreamly helpful. Children are encouraged to help others and take responsiblilities, they have a head boy and girl, sports captains (for the houses), peer group mediators and councellors. I know Minlady has also choosen Leeming Primary and has had some positive correspondence with them.

 

When we went to the high school last month to meet the teachers, they also said that you're quite literally spoilt for choice in this area as the schools are highly regarded. Of course I'm really proud of the childrens acievements this year the thing that's really been a comfort is that they seem really happy there, which at the moment means more than academic achievements. (I'm sure as she enters year 12 I'll be nagging her to study for her exams lol).

 

Toms teacher gave them all a CD containing photo's of them that she'd taken during the year of them doing experiments, doing a show for the school assembly, out on field trips etc.,... it's little things like that which for me make me like the school, teachers doing that little bit extra to thank and encourage their students.

 

I'm sure we've had a little something to do with their settling here but to be honest whilst at school they've been on their own, they've been the ones who've made the effort and had to make friends etc. Tom in particular has loved all your comments - he's now charging $5 for his autograph - Alex doesn't do publicity lol

Ali

 

Thanks for the info Ali.

 

I had a quick look at the schools websites but I can seem to find out what sports they cover in either the primary or high school there - do they do cricket at the primary and / or the high school? All my boys are mad cricketers; the eldest plays for Bucks County here.

 

Karen xx