Guest pompey5 Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Hi We are returning to the UK, but first we have to sort out citizenship and sell our house. As this takes time we haven't discussed this with our 3 children....yet. They are our biggest concern. We have lived here since 2006 and they were then aged 5.5 and 3.5 (twins) They are now 11 and 9 so their greater memories are being here. They are happily settled at school and all the activities they can fit in! Our main concern is their education..will there be gaps, how far behind would they be. Our eldest is in year 5 but in the UK he would go to high school this September. Has anyone done this and if so what is the best way to prepare for not only the transition back to the UK but also from primary to high school, perhaps straight from yr 5/6 to yr 7 or 8 Thanks, from a worried sick mum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bath2Brisbane Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Hi, can't advise on moving back but I think best not to tell kids until you know it's happening for sure - especially if they are going to be upset at the move. I just talked to my daughter about moving to Oz (in 8 weeks) gradually, and then once visa granted we told her (before anyone else) - she was really sad, but is now coming round to the idea - she is 7. Years ago I moved my son from one county to another in time for him to start year 7 at senior school and that worked out fine for him. They tend to do lots of settling in stuff in year 7, so good to be in at the start if you can. Hope all goes well. Nikki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notaclue Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 HiWe are returning to the UK, but first we have to sort out citizenship and sell our house. As this takes time we haven't discussed this with our 3 children....yet. They are our biggest concern. We have lived here since 2006 and they were then aged 5.5 and 3.5 (twins) They are now 11 and 9 so their greater memories are being here. They are happily settled at school and all the activities they can fit in! Our main concern is their education..will there be gaps, how far behind would they be. Our eldest is in year 5 but in the UK he would go to high school this September. Has anyone done this and if so what is the best way to prepare for not only the transition back to the UK but also from primary to high school, perhaps straight from yr 5/6 to yr 7 or 8 Thanks, from a worried sick mum! From someone who has been backwards and forward to uk and oz - I personally think this is only a bit problem if you make it one. I, in the past, have certainly not given my children credit for their capabilities. When we have move - and it has been a lot, not always by choice. I plug the positives big style. I am not lying to them in anyway, but , ie: point out how lucky they are to have had the opportunity to live in two countries - some children never leave their town and experience all that they have. The adventures they have had, and the things they have seen. They have friends at both ends of the world who they can always see when they get older. I definatley do believe, that my children can socialise and mix with anyone. If we were on a strange park, they would find a mate to play with. It has made them the confident, bright articulate children that they are. As for school work - there will be gaps. We have always maintained some teaching (by us) of the UK curriculum. This was just simply because we wanted them to be the best that they could be, and reach that potential. I would personally buy off amazon, some Bonds or Schofield and Simms key stage academic books, and if you cant do it yourlself - get a teacher in to just brush. In the primary years - the basics the 3 Rs. Try and work towards the standard that he will be at. One last thing - I do think that, failing all - an aussie accent could be a bit cool and they will be interested in him hopefully. Anything is only a problem if you make it one - and there is always a solution to any problem. By the by - :biggrin:Where are you moving back to?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pompey5 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Thank you both. We wouldn't dream of telling them before we were 100% and nearly ready to go. They are all very confident and we always plug the positives too. We have never spoken negatively about Australia or the UK and have a strong social network in both countries. I will look into Amazon re the books - thanks for that - and also contact one of the UK local primary and high schools to see what light they can shed. Like you say there will be gaps and a tutor may be the answer to that...I'm sure he'll love that! We are heading back to Plymouth, although I am originally from the Midlands and my husband from Portsmouth we both have spent more time in Plymouth...of course all this depends on work and houses too. Good luck Nikki on your move to Brisbane and thank you both for your replies.:biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunni1234 Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 From someone who has been backwards and forward to uk and oz - I personally think this is only a bit problem if you make it one. I, in the past, have certainly not given my children credit for their capabilities. When we have move - and it has been a lot, not always by choice. I plug the positives big style. I am not lying to them in anyway, but , ie: point out how lucky they are to have had the opportunity to live in two countries - some children never leave their town and experience all that they have. The adventures they have had, and the things they have seen. They have friends at both ends of the world who they can always see when they get older. I definatley do believe, that my children can socialise and mix with anyone. If we were on a strange park, they would find a mate to play with. It has made them the confident, bright articulate children that they are. As for school work - there will be gaps. We have always maintained some teaching (by us) of the UK curriculum. This was just simply because we wanted them to be the best that they could be, and reach that potential. I would personally buy off amazon, some Bonds or Schofield and Simms key stage academic books, and if you cant do it yourlself - get a teacher in to just brush. In the primary years - the basics the 3 Rs. Try and work towards the standard that he will be at. One last thing - I do think that, failing all - an aussie accent could be a bit cool and they will be interested in him hopefully. Anything is only a problem if you make it one - and there is always a solution to any problem. By the by - :biggrin:Where are you moving back to?? Great post. Recently had relatives visiting us from UK who commented that our children had grown into confident and very sociable children and felt that our OZ adventures had contributed to that.:smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramac Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 From someone who has been backwards and forward to uk and oz - I personally think this is only a bit problem if you make it one. I, in the past, have certainly not given my children credit for their capabilities. When we have move - and it has been a lot, not always by choice. I plug the positives big style. I am not lying to them in anyway, but , ie: point out how lucky they are to have had the opportunity to live in two countries - some children never leave their town and experience all that they have. The adventures they have had, and the things they have seen. They have friends at both ends of the world who they can always see when they get older. I definatley do believe, that my children can socialise and mix with anyone. If we were on a strange park, they would find a mate to play with. It has made them the confident, bright articulate children that they are. As for school work - there will be gaps. We have always maintained some teaching (by us) of the UK curriculum. This was just simply because we wanted them to be the best that they could be, and reach that potential. I would personally buy off amazon, some Bonds or Schofield and Simms key stage academic books, and if you cant do it yourlself - get a teacher in to just brush. In the primary years - the basics the 3 Rs. Try and work towards the standard that he will be at. One last thing - I do think that, failing all - an aussie accent could be a bit cool and they will be interested in him hopefully. Anything is only a problem if you make it one - and there is always a solution to any problem. By the by - :biggrin:Where are you moving back to?? We found the same - everybody comments on how confident and adaptable our children are having moved backwards and forwards. They are going to have to move again by September (either within the UK or back to Australia) and the girls aren't fazed by the idea at all. I was a bit worried and told them I was sorry about moving them again because I just want a bit of stability for them (they're 16, nearly 15 and 12) and our eldest said that their stability comes from us as parents, not from where they live, which is reassuring! The only thing I would say is that our youngest found moving from Year 5 in Australia to year 7 in England a bit tricky. Not only academically (we'd only been away for a year this time), but going from one class with one or two teachers to a big year group, lots of teachers and having to move around the school for lessons took a bit of getting used to. We came back at the Christmas, so the rest of the year group had had a term to get used to it, so it was tough for a little while. We'd also returned to the school the girls were at before we left, so I wasn't really anticipating any problems. It only took about half a term for her to settle completely though. If you get back in time for the start of year 7 all the children will be in the same situation, so I'm sure your son will be fine - they all enter high school with different strengths and weaknesses and the schools are used to dealing with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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