And then, with your perfect family, gorgeous husband, picket fence and pedigreed pooches, you think the questions have stop, the humdinger comes along. Where are you sending your kids to school?
We've been trying to answer that question for the last 6 years. We live in an area where it's assumed you have the means to send your child to one of the many private schools. We've got Crawfords within spitting distance, Heron Bridge, Summit, St Peters, Cooper, British International College, American International College, and a whole lot more. Unfortunately we don't have the cash for these. Not for two kids. We could do a 'Ching Chong Cha' to see which of our two children are the smartest, sending that one off to a private school but that's not without its flaws. We could skimp and save and do away with living in a house, in clothes and eating food to send both of them, but I'm thinking that's not really going to work either.
We're on lists for government schools, but we don't fall within their catchment area, so unless we camp out for two or three nights, there's not much chance of getting them in there either. I've played the race card. Oh yes I have. But apparently places are open for previously disadvantaged families, not currently disadvantaged.
And so we've had sleepless nights as to how we're going to answer next time we're asked which school we're sending Emma to.
But I think I finally have an answer. Emma's at a Montessori preschool, doing grade R, and she does well in that environment. With a small group of six, she's getting the attention she needs and her teachers are able to see where her strengths, and weaknesses (shock, horror, yes, my perfect child has some weaknesses) lie.
She thrives on praise and encouragement, as do most children, but she also needs a lot of persuading to try something new or something that falls outside of her comfort zone. She's a daydreamer and needs constant 'calling back' to the task at hand, which I don't see happening in a class of 20, 25 or 30.
This year, the principal of Singing Forest Montessori opened a Montessori primary school, and come hell or high water, that's where Emma will be going next year. I popped into the school yesterday and I felt like I was home. The older kids had just finished preparing soups, which are been delivered today to an informal settlement today, and were busy with a birthday ring. Yup, kids of 11 were singing happy birthday to a classmate and making her feel special. I loved that. Why shouldn't an 11 year old be made to feel special? Why does it stop once you reach primary school?
The Montessori school, in my humble opinion, focuses on the child. They're allowed to be the best THEY can be, not to be as good as Johnny or Anne. I want Emma to be in an environment where she is celebrated in spite of her weaknesses and because of her strengths. I want a well rounded child, emotionally, physically and mentally. My ideal would be for my children to leave school solution focussed, open minded and with a sense of entrepreneurship. Unlike I was, I don't want them labelled as stupid, less than, or destined to fail.
I don't want them graded according to a standard or a norm. I don't want to ever hear them say they're dumb and I never ever want to see them not try something because they're scared of failing.
So should you see me in a shop or in the street and you want to know which school Emma will be going to in 2016, the answer quite simply is Chartwell House Montessori Eco school.
Sounds like you've found an excellent match for Emma. It's such a difficult decision, and I hate to say it, but just when you find the perfect Primary school and you're coasting along happily they are suddenly 7 years older and you have to send them to high school!
ReplyDeleteYour nearest government school is compelled by law to accept you if you don't have the means to enroll at a private school. But it seems you've found a better solution - sounds great!
ReplyDelete