I was hoping someone could help easy my mind about a few things that have been bothering me about Evan starting school next year.
Firstly, he is a bright kid. Well of course I think so but I really think he is. I think he is pretty normal when it comes to things like counting etc, you know the normal things one would think of if you said some one was smart. But Evan is smart in ways that amaze me sometimes. Like pulling things apart & putting it back together again. I have do doubt he could pull apart the vcr & put it back together & it would still work. He figures things out, there is no fooling him. If he has the slightest doubt that something isn't right then he will think about it then out of blue tell me why what I said wont work. Even his teachers at preschool have commented on the things he comes out with ( for his age that is) like telling the teacher she needed to put oil on the padlock to get it to open or sitting down with a pile of random keys & working with it till he found the right one for the lock.
The thing is, he isn't the slightest bit interested in arts & crafts. He will draw a picture but its not of a person or a car or the typical kid thing to draw, it will be a layout or a plan for how something might work.
Like he has a note book that he has random doddles in but if you ask him what they are he says they are things like the table at preschool and the book shelf, the mat, etc. He said he drew them to help remind him of preschool.
Yet if he does a painting at preschool its just a blob. I think its just because he knows if I slap some paint on here then they will stop bugging him to paint a picture for mum.
Now the main thing that worries me when I think about him going to school is that he isn't going to be interested in sitting down with what they are doing. We have been going along to a play group held at the school he may be going too (if we don't move) & from what I have seen in the kindergarden class every thing seems to have a art/craft focus. Evan is going to be bored out of his mind with that. I worry he will become disruptive simply because he isn't interested in what they are doing KWIM.
I hoping someone could tell me that his teacher/school will see that he isn't naughty but bored & make an effort to work with him rather then make him fit in.
The other thing I wanted to know was, is there a website where you can look at the schools reputation. Like what kind of marks the students get. Just so I can see if this school or that school is better ifykwim. I don't really know anyone who can really recomend the schools in my area so thought if I could see a offical type thing of the standard the school puts out then I could get a feel.
Hi FionaJill
I'm a teacher by trade but now working in an advisory role. Your state education dept will have a website...have a look at their early childhood section and school profile systems...there is a heap of information. Let me put your mind at ease about teachers accepting kids etc...school is a different place from when we went through...nowdays the teacher determines where indiviual kids are at and then plans from there - academically, socially, emotionally etc. The focus is on 'value adding' if you like, building on what they know. In my time I have had many meetings at the beginning of the school year with parents expressing similar concerns to yours...when you do your enrollment make a note on the form that you request a meeting prior to class placement...the school leaders will be happier to have information to place your child with the most appropriate teacher and peer group. Also ask for a copy of their behaviour management policy so you can see how they will deal with any 'negative' behaviours and how they reinforce appropriate behaviour...this will also help you prepare Evan about school rules etc...sorry if I'm babbling...I hope that helps a little...and for what it's worth your little man sounds like a delight and the type of student teachers would love to be working with! Good luck!
Wow Evan sounds amazing, and some great tips that Ellie has given you as well. I am in QLD and up here we have a number of schools that cater for different musical/academic/sports achievement type schooling. So they focus around the students talents, whatever they might be, i am sure that they would have the same down south. They also print the yearly academic results in the paper for the top schools.
I would definately take on what Ellie has said, you have a wonderful, confident little man, who knows what he likes and dislikes already!
The thing is I have trouble figuring out what kind of kid he is, I am sure he does too. At preschool he is the "it" kid. They all love him, follow him around (the kids that is) and get excited when he arrives. Evan is confident & very a matter of fact in his ways. like he will tell you that there are cloud in the sky if you happen to say its a clear day. He would pipe up & say well actually, there are clouds in the sky. Yet when we are at playgroup he is very much the introvert (sp?) I guess he will get use to it & come out of his shell but its hard to make going along to "big school" a positive thing when he doesn't want to be involved.
He is big on helping though. Thats one way to get him involved is to ask him for his help. Then he is as keen as the next kid. I think he needs to have some control ifykwim.
Ellie, thank you for the suggestion on talking with the school prior his placement. I will do that.
Are there any more alternative independent schools around FionaJill? I have read so much about little boys and schooling..enough to really make me think. I have got Sammy going to a more alternative playgroup, with the view of him continuing on to school. My girls have always loved school..enjoyed it and do well, but it has amazed me just how different it seems for some little boys. Your Evan sounds like he has lots of special talents..im sure you will be able to find something wonderful for him to be able to utilise them.
I don't think there are other then public or private. Even private I am not 100% sure there are any in the area & even if we were finacially able too I don't want to send my kids to a religous based school & most private ones around that I know of ( could be completly wrong though) are Christian or catholic. While everyone is entitled to their beliefs they are not mine so I would rather not have my kids go to one ifykwim. But anyway as I said I don't even know of any in my area. I'm sure there would be but I haven't looked.
Was so cute yesterday he told me that the NRMA guy (was asking what the car with the lights was for) can't have a cat because when he runs to answer his phone when someone breaks down, he might step on the cats tail. But they could have a dog, because they stay outside. LOL he then went on to tell me if the man had a robot cat then that would be ok, because robot cats have magnets on their feet & it could stick to the roof. Robot cats clean too so it could clean the roof while its up there! LMAO!
I don't know where he comes up with this stuff!
ETA - I just found that there is a Independent school not too far away. Its only a little school but I am interested to talk to DH about it.
Last edited by *Efjay*; August 28th, 2007 at 12:18 AM.
I agree that schooling is SO SO different these days than when we were kids. I have been amazed watching the way they teach and the things the kids learn now. Its been a real eye opener Ashy's first year at school. Her school is a tribal school, they have certain school values that all the kids learn and follow, bullying isn't an issue ever there and all the kids look out for each other and the big kids all know the little kids and vice vera. Its a really beautiful school.
The thing i notice the most about being in the class room is its not so much a whole class of kids sitting at a desk watching the teacher up the front anymore, most of the major maths, english etc kind of work is done in lots of smaller group. You walk in and there are 5 different groups of kids all working on different things, and all working perfectly even if they are on their own while the teacher is with another group.
One of the school values is "Personal Best" The kids know they dont all have to conform and be the same and be at the same level etc, they just have to do the best that they can.
I understand your concern, and being in the classroom i've seen that boys and girls really do tend to be different in their approach to school, but I want to reassure you that the teaching methods these days are amazing. I would never have expected Ashlea to be at the level she is at now after half a year at school.
I say pick a smaller school, for me that just seemed right for DD, and if you have concerns about school it may suit your family better. They are more like a big family than a big school. Talk to the principals about your concerns and see how they are addressed. You'll get a gut instinct from how they respond to your concerns and questions. Ashy's principal is brilliant and I got that from the first meeting I had with him.
Ash has concerns of her own I was a little worried about, sensory processing problems and a very pedantic and sometimes a little obsessive and i still worry about things like swimming days when I know what problems she could have with it all (she freaks out if she isn't 200% dry before having to put her clothes on, or dripping wet hair irritates her etc) But if you make sure the school knows about your concerns they do everything to help keep and eye on it and look out for it.
In the end we have not had one single problem at all, Ash loves school, I love her school and its been such an enjoyable time. As long as you look around and find the right school for you I think it will all be okay
I live in Richmond and am teaching Year 1 at Bligh Park Primary school. I have worked as a casual in most of the schools in the local area. I went for a job interview at the the school you are talking about, but did not get the job (which was fine as I was offered another one anyway!). I would suggest going and talking to the school and discussing your concerens, do they cater for children like your son or just focus on the art/craft part of Kindy. I am happy to meet up with you to discuss any of the schools I have worked for with you if you like...just let me know.
FJ, maybe a smaller school might suit him better so if you move that school would be better. I will call my friend who works at the local school we discussed at the dinner and see what she has heard about Evan's future school. Are you coming to Fairfield City farm? We could chat then.
A few questions
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