Foundation (Prep/Kinder) 2015 - Chat

**Emma09** · January 30th, 2015, 06:02 AM

Found out yesterday that DD's teacher, whom she has had for all her transition days, and is absolutely in 'like' with- is off to have a baby this year!
She has been replaced with a first year graduate teacher.
Could be a very interesting year.

**briggsy's girl** · January 30th, 2015, 07:03 AM

I guess it's good that they are replacing the teacher at the start of the year so the kids aren't messed about mid year

**Khaleesi** · January 30th, 2015, 07:06 AM

We had a first year grad teacher last year & he was great.
He taught outside the classroom alot, kids loved him & we didn't have any real issues

DD2 had her testing yesterday, it went well & now she can't wait to start school on Monday.

**beansbeans!** · January 30th, 2015, 09:58 AM

Dd had her best start this morning, which is also when we found out officially who her teacher is. She went well, all kids go well though, and she is in love with her teacher. We found out by accident yesterday who her teacher was, so today she wasn't as nervous going there. She was up at 6:30, practising her writing and her numbers, so just a little excited.

Re grad teachers, I really like grad teachers, they are usually still really keen, the information is still new in their heads, and they are keen to do a really good job in hope of a future spot.

We start Monday morning and dd is currently counting down, she is beyond excited. She is currently doing reading eggs on the computer, which she never has had an interest in until today.

**~Hestia~** · January 30th, 2015, 11:57 AM

Just wanted to quickly say that Moo started today, there was not one tear from any of the kids, or their parents

I was really worried about him this morning but he practically skipped into his classroom and when the principal mentioned there was coffee in th multipurpose room, he quickly said 'Can you go to the multipurpose room now Mummy?' So funny! So he went well.

We picked up his books yesterday and got to have a sneak peek in his classroom, it definitely helped him get excited and feel comfortable today.

**wysiwyg** · January 30th, 2015, 04:27 PM

Our first hour and a bit this arvo went well (well if you discount the part where they had no name for her hook, drawer or name badge because the office had told them she was no longer coming to the school!!) - she said "I wish it was longer" and can't wait for her first real day on Monday. Thankfully we have some fun things planned for the weekend or it could have proved a very long weekend because she is excited about going back. Her teacher is new to the school and fairly young - she is an ex pupil apparently.

I went for coffee with some other mums which was good to have a chat and learn a few things about the school (I need to find out when the no pupil days are for example).

**Olive** · January 30th, 2015, 06:47 PM

Wysiwyg I have to admit your school kind of concerns me

As for curriculum days, OSHC should run all day xxx

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · January 30th, 2015, 07:25 PM

We've got our first curriculum day on 27th Feb and yep, the OHSC is running a full day program ☺

**wysiwyg** · January 30th, 2015, 07:38 PM

Olive - I know what you mean, but seeing as people move hell and high water to get into the zone (as opposed to accidentally living in it like us), there must be some good points :-) DD was the only one there was a mix up with so I guess I am just unlucky or all these things are bad omens about the suitability of the school for us. (I work in IT and have an almost supernatural ability in coming across bugs and defects so maybe I am just a problem magnet when it comes to schools too :-))

Yep OHSC will cover curriculum days.

My mum has decided to come over for a few weeks while HD is away which will be most helpful.

**Khaleesi** · February 2nd, 2015, 08:31 AM

We started today, lots of tears from her but I'm sure once i pick her up she will of loved school.
I pick her up in 2hrs, I look gorward to hearing all about her day

**Melbournemumma** · February 2nd, 2015, 10:41 AM

No tears from DS but a few from Mummy

. Miss having him round but he was so ready to start school. Going to take him out for milkshakes after I pick him up at 3.15

**wysiwyg** · February 2nd, 2015, 11:31 AM

First proper day drop off went well - dropped DS at daycare then walked over to the school - played in playground for a bit and then to the classroom. They have put her name up above a hook (now out of alphabetical sequence) and got a drawer for her. Her friend from daycare was already there and they were playing in the reading corner - I said bye and she said "yeah bye mum" - couldn't have cared less about my departure. To me it didn't feel really any different to dropping her off at daycare to be honest (although I hope I get more than the "nothing much" response I used to get sometimes at daycare, when I pick her up in an hour)

I am not used to being at home without either of them so hasn't seemed weird - have cooked up some fake sausage rolls and other bits ready for lunches and snacks as work starts Wed and tomorrow I have DS at home. They finish at 14:30 and man that rolls around quickly. Not sure what will do after pick-up - DS daycare is across road but he will be cross if we pick him up too early so will see if she wants to come home or we can just hang at the library for a bit and then pick him up.

I am most interested to see what she will eat for lunch - as at daycare food has always been provided we have never really done packed lunches before - so am not really sure on amounts etc. she seemed to think what we had packed was good but we shall see.

She went in the skort and polo shirt today - I hope she does want to wear the dress again seeing as I picked up a spare last week. She is obsessed with the monkey bars there so maybe she is just picking whatever thinks best for playing on the play equipment.

**briggsy's girl** · February 2nd, 2015, 01:31 PM

Dd had her first day today. She pretty much lead the charge into her room, found her desk, set herself up, and ignored is from then on. She found a couple of kids sitting on the floor, and we ceased to exist. I am super impressed. I love that she isn't distressed by it at all - one of my friends fell apart in front of her son, which set him off as well. She was in the hall balking and thinking he was too, but I spun her around and pointed out that he'd stopped crying in micro seconds. Lol

Apparently dd had a good day. At one point she said she had a bad day so daddy would give her an extra cuddle and ask what was up, but she changed back to all good stories after that

She now has her diary for school and a letter abot school banking. She didn't have a bank account before today. Just hadn't got around to it. She does now - heaven forbid she should have to kiss out ona school related experience!

**wysiwyg** · February 2nd, 2015, 03:58 PM

I liked the way they explained at the school about why is best to hide your crying from your kids if you can, they said basically that kids of foundation age only really associate crying with bad things (as we grow older we gradually realize that crying is more of a complex emotional response than that) - so if they see mum or dad crying they think they are crying because school is bad, so they then think it would make mum/dad happier if they didn't go to school, and kids want to please their parents, so start to have negative feelings about school. I was never likely to cry anyway as I am a pretty unemotional person full stop, but that was a way of thinking about it that I hadn't thought of.

DD enjoyed her first day - although she did get a nose bleed at lunch time and had to go to the office (I am pleased she had the red polo on now as the blood more likely to have stained the dress). They also got to meet their Grade 5/6 buddies - hers wasn't the one we had had a card from which is a bit odd. We also didn't get a time for the testing although everyone else did (apparently because of the mix up with the office last week - I wonder how many weeks through the term that will end up having implications :-)) - so need to chase that up. She didn't eat much of her lunch at all - was too excited to go play apparently - but she thinks she will eat more tomorrow.

**briggsy's girl** · February 2nd, 2015, 05:30 PM

The explanation you've given is pretty much where my head has always been - and much the same as what I said to the friend who cried today.

Not sure how other schools structure their day. The kids almost have two lunch breaks - half hour in the morning and an hour at about half 1. The first ten minutes of ther second break is spent in their class, eating lunch together as a group to make sure the kids actually eat properly. Thankfully the timing works with ehat we do at home (and her kinder did the same). DD is happy to have fruit at morning break (or carrot sticks/yogurt/cheese - whatever else takes her fancy). They also have a "brain food" snack in class during the first long period of the day while their teacher reads a story or something. It seems to be a well planned day to make sure they eat at least a couple of times a day. They have a big push towards fresh fruit and veg (the school is linked to the Stephanie Alexander kitchen program) which is a good thing. Its been a good way to convince e she doesn't need the super sweet frozen themed cookies she has seen. They smell like almost pure artificial sugar and stuff. I Love being able to remind her that we don't need to buy it not just cos mummy says so, but because brain food should be something you can pick from the garden

Eta. Trying to get dd to out her pjs on and forgot to say I hope CJ is ok!

**wysiwyg** · February 2nd, 2015, 07:13 PM

Eta. Trying to get dd to out her pjs on and forgot to say I hope CJ is ok!

Yes she is fine - not sure what triggered the nose bleed - but she seemed to take it in her stride. The school eating set up seems to be similar, I think she ate ok at morning break but at lunch just wanted to go out and play. Need to encourage her to drink more water too - she didn't go to the toilet all day - she says didn't need to (which knowing her is plausible) and it didn't occur to her until I asked about it that she might need to go. I have told her she should try go at morning break and lunch even if doesn't think she needs to. (I am bad about making sure I drink enough too though)

***TripleJ*** · February 3rd, 2015, 07:43 AM

Jamie started yesterday he was fine to let me go he sat down at the playdough we had a hug took some selfies and then I went and had a cup of tea with the principal
Today was harder though he didn't want to wait in the line but he went in ok I like his teacher she is awesome the other classes looked like the parents went in today but we just got told to leave them at the steps guess it's better that way lol
Lunch is easy for us though did it for him at Kinder last year so today was my first time making 2 lunches and now I'll be fruit shipping more often jazzy has a sandwich and 3 pieces of fruit jamie has 2 sandwiches 3 bits of fruit and a snack we have the small shapes packets rice bubble bars which will only be like once a week not sure wat else to give him im going to make some zucchini slice for him but I'm stuck for other ideas

**HotI** · February 3rd, 2015, 07:53 AM

my brother's kid's school has the Stephanie Alexander program, and it is awesome.

DD has brain food too. she was asking if she could have more for brain food today, so I need to think of more filling foods maybe. she had a bunch of grapes one day, an orange the next. today I gave her orange plus a box of sultanas. maybe she needs protein food at that time?

She lost her jumper on the second day. I went to classroom, hall and office today, but it wasn't there. there was 6 other lost property jumpers though! hopefully the teacher can locate it today.

she is doing really well. we have a day off tomorrow (wed), and then back for full days thurs and fri again.