Popular Post DXB2OZ Posted September 18, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Immigration is a terrifying process, there is no getting around it. Add the fact that you are responsible for the well being of children who are dependent on you for the present and, to a certain extent, their future and terror increases about tenfold. The "what-ifs" will dominate your waking and sleeping hours.We moved from Dubai, British curriculum, different year groups, private schools. Our decision was to go for the government schooling and we spent hours pouring over all the tables and reports we could get our hands on, trying desperately to choose the best school that would work for two completely different children. Area was chosen based on the school.My daughter went into year 7, first year of high school. She needs to be challenged. My son went into year 5 at the local primary school. He comes with a lot of challenges, with diagnoses ranging from ADHD, through Aspergers, to Social Integration disorder.The schools have been fantastic. Ok, the high school is lousy at communication with the parents, but I had already experienced that, so wasn't too bad. However, the teachers have already recognised her strengths and her weaknesses, are working to help her catch up where she needs it and providing alternative work where she needs to be challenged. She already has a circle of friends and they spend their afternoons on Skype and whatsapp. We haven't moved to social visits between houses, but am hoping that will come soon.The primary school has been brilliant. My son has gone from being a loner who hated break times to playing noisy games on the playground and developing a circle that he "runs" with. The school is working closely with is to ensure he has all the additional support he needs without making him feel isolated or a freak. The curriculum is varied and interesting. The kids are welcoming and inclusive. Differences aren't something to be shunned, merely a conversation starter.We moved for a number of reasons, some short term, some extraordinarily long term. I have to say the entire move, all the headaches and costs, was worth it just for what has been achieved in this term.So to all the parents out there panicking, please take heart. I am sure there are bad stories to counter my good one, but there is a lot of good to be found here. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 What a wonderful outcome with the schools that you have had. How great that the kids have settled in and are going forward in life! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HadEnoughofJuju Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Reading this makes me grateful all over again for the things we have here and the progress that my child has made over the last 18 months. She's absolutely just blossoming and doing well where she is in stark contrast to where she would have been back in RSA. Glad to hear that things are going so well for you kids DXB2OZ, validates and and makes this journey so worth it. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 My very shy 5-year old daughter is also blossoming. She presented her 'news' to her daycare class today - standing in front of all of them and talking...I mean wow!! We were very worried about how she'll adapt and fit in, but she's like a fish in water. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyebrow Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Wow! That is amazing!May I ask which area you life in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DXB2OZ Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 We are in Melbourne, Brighton East. There were quite a lot of great areas we looked at, Eltham was our second choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neels Posted September 25, 2014 Report Share Posted September 25, 2014 We moved for a number of reasons, some short term, some extraordinarily long term. I have to say the entire move, all the headaches and costs, was worth it just for what has been achieved in this term.So to all the parents out there panicking, please take heart. I am sure there are bad stories to counter my good one, but there is a lot of good to be found here.Thanks so much for your post DXB2OZ! It's one of our biggest concerns, and reading here again reassures us that we are making the right move. Our choice is also based on the very long run, with a lot of short and mid term reasons thrown in. But one can't put aside the immediate impact it might have on the children, and how that impact can hurt or nurture their future... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted September 29, 2014 Report Share Posted September 29, 2014 Ah thanks for this post... We have 3 months and we will be in Sydney.... And as a mom my kids are consuming my every thought.... Schools are becoming an obsession! Especially since we arrive in the holidays! So thank you for your post I need to hear every success story out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronwyn&Co Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 (edited) Ah thanks for this post... We have 3 months and we will be in Sydney.... And as a mom my kids are consuming my every thought.... Schools are becoming an obsession! Especially since we arrive in the holidays! So thank you for your post I need to hear every success story out there.I was the same Crossingover. The kids were 9 & 11 and they were my biggest worry. I needn't have stressed so much. They quickly started to love their school. My daughter started netball & softball. They had a microwave in their classroom & their teacher let them take pot noodles or soups because they were 'big kids'. She loved it! Son played handball every day before school, 4 or 5 different sports a year. I was very impressed with the technology in their school, and the caring teachers & headmaster. Ok we paid a bit extra in rental to get into a good catchment, but it was worth it. Yes they got laughed at occasionally for their accents, but it wasn't nasty. They soon started speaking like Aussies -I'd say within 6-8 months.Sure we had a few hiccups but we would have had them anywhere. Edited September 30, 2014 by Bronwyn&Co 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 So nice to read how easily the kids fit in and how they adapt to a new life. Well done to the parents for sticking it out to give these kids a better chance at success than they ever would have had back in SA. (My opinion!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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