He's In!

We visited the school yesterday on the invitation of the Head Teacher to see if there would be a place for E in the Year 2 class. Well, there was no talk about being admitted, we were just shown to his class (and the rest of the school) and were told when to arrive on Wed. morning. Hallelujah! He's in! So E will start at St. Hild's College Church of England (Aided) Primary School (quite a mouthful, huh?!?!?) tomorrow. After all that commuting to make it to the local school in Dallas last year, it will be very nice to just walk across the street and be there. Even better...school doesn't start until 8.55a. That will make it easy to get up and around in the mornings.

After we toured the school and bought his PE and Reading bags from the secretary, we went school shopping. That was a pretty easy task as we only had to buy his "uniform" clothes -- white polo shirt, grey trousers (not pants, remember), red sweatshirt, and black "sensible" shoes. We also had to get him some black plimsolls (like cheap Keds) and football shorts for PE. All the school supplies are supplied by the school, so that was it.

This is a Christian school but it is aided by the government, so it is similar to a public school. The differences that I can see from this school and public schools in the States so far:

1. It is a small school -- about 150 students from age 3 to Year 6. There is only one class per grade.
2. The children (through all grades) sit at work tables rather than desks so that they can socialize throughout the day and help one another with their work. (Sounds rather Montessori, doesn't it?)
3. The children are each required to have a water bottle at their work place so that they can remain hydrated throughout the day -- better for the brain!
4. There is a "nursery" (class for 3s and 4s) that is part of the school. Maybe Silas will start when he is 3.
5. They have a worship service once a week and teach religious education.

We'll have to post more as we learn more about the school. We'll put pics up of his first day too.