23 January 2012

firsts . . . days of preschool & school

Greetings all,
Many children around Australia are tripping off for their first day of peschool & school today . . . not Canberra though, we still have 2 more weeks, no idea why we're so out of synch??  Of course i wasn't blogging when my babies started preschool so i'm having a happy flash back (like my pregnancy & birth stories).  Our children will be the most photographed generation ever & apparently most posted about on social media too!!
Pre-Primary-High . . . we're up to 9 schools across this country!!  It all started in Darwin at a Montessori School, my first born on her first day of preschool, with our first German Shepherd Jakob.
 My sweet twin girls started at a private 3 year old preschool in Sydney, then 4 year old preschool in Darwin, on an air force base.  4 year old preschools in the NT & ACT are government funded & cost $200 a year per child, for 12 hours preschool a week x 40 weeks!!  Welcome relief after the private sector & amazing facilities too.
 Then their little brother joined the 3 year old preschool on campus.  Why the bikini??  It's the tropics (no water restrictions) . . . on Wednesdays, they would turn the entire preschool campus into a water park, over head sprinklers & paddling pools, just brilliant!!  Then my son went to a military preschool in Canberra.  I know it sounds like they were taught rifle drills & marching, in uniform & yelled at, they weren't!!
 A year later those twins joined their big sister at big school.  We used to walk or cycle every day, it was fantastic.  I'd detour to the preschool & practically lived my entire life on the air force base, sewing up a storm at home.
 We used the local indigenous primary school, it was a unique experience as they were taught sign language, half the school was military & half the students were from the local indigenous community.  Kindergarten is called Transition & my girls were in the same class.
 Then suddenly your children are graduating primary school & off to high school.  This year i don't have anyone starting a new school, as my son moves into year 3, twins into year 5 & my eldest into year 8.  At our primary school - we find out who the teachers are on the first day of school, i love all the teachers but do let out a yelp of excitement when we score my favourites, like the sporty teachers.
So, another big year & my son will do his first national testing via NAPLAN (year 3, 5, 7 & 9).  They all love school & can't wait to see their friends.  Our school combines years 5 & 6, i'm glad we're here for good, no new states or territories (when our son starts high school, it will be out 10th school, phew!!)  Those starting primary school this year are blessed with a national cirriculum - this will help families who move (like military) immeasurably.  Happy firsts everyone, love Posie

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great pics Posie, we still have week of hols to go up here but its pouring rain, so my beach plans for today have changed. Is so crazy in our country that the states/territories vary so much in funding, at least the National curriculum should make those having to change schools easier. Have a lovely week xx

cityhippyfarmgirl said...

We've still got a week to go as well. One more week of cruisey mornings and not thinking what to put in that lunchbox!
Good luck with all the school starts when you get to them.

ClaireyHewitt said...

Two weeks til my eldest is off to school.

She is counting down the days, has her uniform all ready and can't wait.

I think I will ok...I think!

Sue said...

Here in Sydney it's another week as well, although my grand daughter starts preschool on Friday but will finish on a Thursday something do do with 40 weeks. Out western NSW they have another 2 weeks - something to do with the temp or is it how hot it is or isn't?

Hot Fudge said...

I love your pictures of the children starting school - what wonderful memories. Three of our four Queensland grandchildren start the school year today, while our Sydney grandchildren have another week of freedom. Like you, I'm so pleased that the national curriculum has finally kicked in. It was hell for our poor children forced to contend with different school systems as a consequence of interstate transfers. Better late than never!

Karla {Ironmum Karla} said...

Phew what a list! Back to school here in Queensland and my eldest is starting kindy which is kind of pre prep, only 5 days a fortnight..Bet you are looking forward to peace around the house!!x

Mum on the Run said...

That's an impressive scholastic family history!!
What rich experiences for your bunch - and you.

I'm up to my ears in National Curriculum here!!
:-)

Jennie said...

Great post Jennie!
I've got one starting Year 1 today and the other going into Year 6. (the third school in a year for her!) So glad that we are hopefully staying put here too. Fingers crossed!XX

TexWisGirl said...

sounds like you've had some good schooling experiences, but are happy to have settled in to one territory. :)

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Still a week to go here in the Nt too. Funny though, Ginger isn't even 2 yet and we have already started thinking about schools up here:)

Have a nice couple of weeks with your holidaying kids.

Unknown said...

I know what you mean about going into the Govt supported Kindy scheme. We are starting that this year, the last step before school, after 3 years in private care. We are going to save about $10,000 per year! And that was only for 3 days per week care.

He can't wait to go to his new kindy. The final step before 'big school'.

Tas said...

My oldest has his first Naplan here this year too. Mixed feelings on that...

We start next week and some places started this week. Australia might get in synch and streamlined one day...

Tiff said...

What fantastic memories! I had 28 bright and shiny new year three's this morning, just a few tears which dried up quickly into slight, then more wide smiles! Shame it rained through lunch, but otherwise a great day! X

Sindy said...

Well, I changed schools 9 times growing up, attending 10 schools in the end (thanks to my father for moving us across the world so many times). I would like to say it made me more confident and outgoing, but really it just made me used to be the new girl. Strangely, since starting work the longest I have ever been in one job is 2.5 years! Maybe there is a strange link - better watch those children when they get out into the world...

Cat said...

These are really cute photos of your children when they were little, they grow so fast don't they. I have a Year 3 here too and Year 8. First full day for the younger one went ok still finding her feet in a new school. Wish we were still on holidays here. Hoping you have a great year this year with your bunch. xx