Good Friday

Kit is very proficient on the computer - and has been for a while - at the moment he likes to prepare powerpoint presentations for Hannah's 'talking lessons' using clipart. Hannah has been wanting to have a go on the alptop for a long time too - but she just didnt' have the concept of moving the mouse in relation to the arrow on the screen. It was a very difficult time - because I knew she really wanted to know how to use the computer. I considered asking her EI teachers for some ideas. Her ST made one simple suggestion - put a sticker on the left mouse for her to at least click correctly. I did this and then Kit or I would help line up the cursor on the screen. Anyways I don't know what happened but in the last 3-4 weeks (after using some fo the powerpoint presentations) she is just steaming ahead. Pretty much one fo the first things she says when she wakes up is 'Piglet game'. Here she is first thing Friday morning having been told that it was Kit's turn ont he computer:
Lucky after a rocky start every one had a great day:
Balloon fun

Watering the vegies.
Hannah on a lounge on R on a lounge.
R made delicious cupcakes
On Friday our good friends from around the corner came over and cooked us lunch. It was beautiful - and a lovely afternoon too. My sister and her family dropped over too - they arrived from Brisvegas just the night before. Her son slept over - Hannah was exhausted and crashed before dinner. She spent most of the night in our bed. The boys went to bed at Kit's usual bedtme but then in true slumber party tradition stayed up chatting til nearly 10. They had a ball.

Easter Hat Parade

Still feeling anxious and nervous about school. Oh well there isn't anything we can do about it now. We have put in an applicaton to enrol at the catholic one (our preferred option - Both brats would like it there) and I will put in an application at the gov infants school after the holidays - I have it ready but didn't get a chance the last couple of days.

DH took the day off work - I was so jealous! - to take the kids to preschool and then watch the Easter parade and have lunch there with the preschool. I notice in the photoes that Han is often with the aid. That is a worry because the catholic school will be visiting her there to assess her - and I need her to be a bit better at playing with other kids. SOcial skills are essential in school and will be abig help to her. I did stress that they need to talk to her EI provider as well. Oh well - I need to give up on it for a bit. Focus on baking and creating chocolate bunnies for Easter.

We have good friends are cooking us lunch today which will be lovely. Later on I hope to catch up with ny sister dwho has driven up for easter with her DH and son. It will be good to see then.

Happy Easter!

Up and Down

So I was feeling quite good - Plan A and Plan B - in place by COB tomorrow. Then got a call from the CEO support person. I don't know. I drove home in tears. Why can't they just see Hannah? Why do they think that P and I are too stupid to realise what its going to be like? Why are they too stupid to see beyond their own prejudice. Oh she was nice as pie. But still I can't help feeling there is an underlying wish that we would bugger off and go to the state system where they have to take kids like Hannah - where 'they are better equipped to take kids like Hannah' - although the only benefit she mentioned was the classes have 20 kids as opposed to Catholic schools which can have any number and often have about 30.

I just look at Han and my heart melts. I want to keep her with me I wonder what is the point of all the work we do with her if still she can't be seen on her own terms. I'm not delusional about my daughter. I want her happiness more than anything. I also don't want to sell her short. I feel so tired - and I haven't even lodged an application for enrolment anywhere yet. It is ridiculous.

Tomorrow I'll drop in enrolment forms at the two schools on our wish list - knowing that each is secretly hoping the other ends up with her.

One item found ... now where is ...?

Whoo hoo! found the birth certificates - unfortunately the cylinder didn't include baptism certificates... hmm... would rather put my feet up but the house looks like burglars have been through it and I have some baptism certificates to find.

Why I like this school

Principal is warm and welcoming (although she did go on about making sure we'd considered alternatives and our needing to be flexible to 'move' Hannah on when she falls further behind her peers - ie - the placement is no longer in hannah's best interest - she seemed to think that this was inevitable whereas I think of it only as possible)

The Kindy classroom is great - it has an atmosphere that is a good mix between childcare/preschool and 'big school'.

Lots of small group work.

Children select activities for the morning's learning from a visual board (like the activities board that the brats used at EI last year)

Parents can be trained and assist in the class regularly.

They have a multilit class - also 'manned' by parent volunteers - I have seen this in action while studying at Macquarie Uni and it really helps kids who are behind in their reading - it uses drills, sight words and phonics - a great program.

It is a catholic school so prayer and liturgy are just part of the normal school life

The classes aren't huge - especially by catholic standards

As I was leaving the interview I ran into an old friend who used to work with P. She raved about the school and is clearly involved - has a child in year 2 and one in kindy.

The kindy - 2s are involved in an Early Learning Program that is quite radical for a conventional primary school but that seems to be very effective with most kids - especally brats like Hannah.

I liked the set up in the library. And it is open sometimes at lunch.

The principal is clearly devoted to kids and the students really like her.

It is mainstream and it is not too far form where we live.

They teach 'social skils' explicitly in kindy - again this will really suit Hannah.

The mum I met said that they dealt with bullying very well.

Issues:
As for any school - Hannah would benefit from some funding to enable her to have some one on one time - this is possible in the class setting but it is very unlikely the $$ will be available. Still - parent volunteers may help a bit. It was a little hard to 'read' the principal - does she really want Hannah? [I was pleased that P and I were able to point out that we want a school that doesn't just see the extra work Hannah brings - but sees her as an opportunity - as one of the good things about the job of teaching. I think the principal got our point on that one.]

Overall - it is easily the most appropriate choice for our twins. Now where do you think I put those birth certificates - at $42 each to replace plus a 5 week wait - I'd rather find the ones I already have!

looking

So where are they?? I last used the brats' birth certificate about this time last year to get them into preschool. Their baptism certificate is in this lovely gold tube with the brith certificates - do you think I can find them? Happy hunting today I guess - the joys of moving house and 'tidying up are lost on me at the moment. [sigh]

In love ... and nervous...

Well we went to the interview at the local catholic primary - and loved it. Now the wait - I hope we read the principal right. I think it is a great place for the brats. I feel such relief - andsuch nerves - now we apply to enrol. Fingers crossed the journey has only just begun.

small relief

Today being the first Sunday of the month I go to mass at the 'other' parish - the one where I am meeting the school principal tomorrow... the homily was on 'welcoming others' on 'going out of our comfort zone' to do just that.. it was like a breath of fresh air - now I just have to hope that the principal agrees! And yep - there is was where it belongs - the parish census - if you like, regular donations - if you like, invitation to become a reader, eucharistic minister etc - all very welcoming, sensible and friendly - and not linked to your chances of enrolling at their school across the road. Also some centenary wine --- mmm ---- I might get some of that!

I did run into an old neighbour of ours whose kids go to the school with the rather mean spirited priest - she says its fine cos you never really see him - not sure if that is good enough for me though! lol!

Hannah's friend got ehr mum to ring to say there was a giant frog at our local shops with baloons etc as she thought the twins might like to go there. She was right so while the four kids played in the playground there and tormented the poor frog, the grown ups had a cuppa together at a local cafe - very nice. Afterwards Dad and I drove Hannah into the art gallery to see the Archibald. We did try and disuade her as it was getting late but she clearly wanted to go tot he gallery - so off we went. She had a ball. It was interesting watching to see which paintings she liked - and then of course she wanted to come home to do some painting herself.

Easter lunch is in the Dock - I've written up clues for the easter egg hunt - will type them up tonight. On Thursday the brats need an easter hat for the school parade - the preschoolers are participating in - I wish I could go watch but taking a half day tomorrow is already stretching work's goodwill. Luckily their father will take the day off so that they have family in the audience and for the lunch to follow. It is our first 'school project' so I called on reinforcements - I needed the wisdom of my girlfriend who just made one for her son (he's 10) last week - she is sending over the twins' beloved R to help with this craft activity - I bought feathers and gold crepe paper, cardboard and little pom pom things so I think we should be right - got a marshmallow bunny for afternoon tea which I am looking forward to too! Yum.

On Catholic Schools and sleepless nights

Well we are a little further down the path of selecting a school for the brats. I have an appointment with the principal of a nearby Catholic school on Monday and I am pretty sure which public school I'll be applying to as backup.

Yesterday I spoke with the twins preschool teacher. Her feelings were that Hannah would get lost in a mainstream kindy class - that without adequate teacher support the teacher wouldn't be able to help her enough. Having said that her main concern was the fact that Hannah prefers to play independently. She doesn't 'mix' with the other kids although she did say that she played well outside. Skillwise she commented on how well Hannah did and how some of the things she can do surprised her. Overall she seemed to think that a special needs class would be better although she also said that it was early days and kids change a lot etc. The complicating factors include that Hannah probably wouldn't be accepted into a special needs class - based on professional assessments, plus it isn't where I feel she belongs at this early stage of her educaton either. I'm not however discounting her advice.

The public school I am thinking of applying to is an infants school (yes I know that has drawbacks - for both kids not just Hannah) but at the moment they have a composite class which includes about 5 special needs littlies and some of the more independent learners - so in effect an integrated special needs class wthout the label. It is only single stream - so small with fewer resources and options than a larger 2 stream school.

Then there is the local Catholic school. I've been through it twice now - last year and this year. Its nice - lovley atmosphere. Good grounds. A good mix of technologies - smart boards in some rooms. Lego robotics for the grade 4s. 2 streams so more resources. Keyboard lessons available (not the recorder!!). They have 30 kids in each kindy class - in a large classroom with dividers that are usually left open. There are 2 teachers and a teachers aid in there all the time. It has a structured and diligent feel to it. And like all parochial catholic schools the parish priest is an essential part of the enrolment process.

I am catholic. I attended catholic primary and secondary schools and then I got my teaching diploma through what was then known as the Catholic Teachers College. I usually attend mass although I don't think I'll end up in hell if I miss a week. I have taught for more than half my career in two catholic highschools - one parochial CEO (Catholic Education Office) one and one independent one. I loved working at both - and am very positive about giving my own children the same opportunity for a catholic education. I like the values and sense of prayerful community.

We moved to this parish about 18 months ago. From a lovely parish with a great parish priest. This one - not so great. Boring, tyrannical, bullying are just a few descriptors that come to mind. For example: last week in mass 'he' is rabitting on about the parish school (CEO) open day - and makes the comment that when a family brings their child to be baptised in the parish and on the parish census they write 'nil' contribution - well he 'remembers that when they come to enrol 5 years later' at the parish school. Hmm - not what I would think of as Christian values. And then he moved off and after inexplicable comments about his love of beer and tiramisu chastised us for not attending church regularly. So all in all NOT an uplifting or spiritual experience - I came out feeling as mean spirited as he is.


The following week was the school open day and yes - the school is lovely and has an excellent reputation and I can see why. Then I ask about Hannah - the principal conveys through her office staff that it 'won't be a problem' (when Hannah's DS is mentioned) but that she would like to meet us for an interveiw to dsicuss Hannahs needs. No worries - I am happy with that and ask for an enrolment package. Get it home - open it up - standard CEO form. Usual stuff - school philosophy and Family Handbook. All good. A parish Census form - yep that 's fine - but why the request for credit card details - ah! there it is on the back - your contributions to the parish - credit card or weekly envelope - and you are asked to state a figure.

As a regular attendee I don't have a problem with contributing financially to the parish I attend. Here it is though - not just implied after the priest's comments last week - I am being bullied or blackmailed into paying to the parish in ADDITION to the school scheduled school fees - in order to be accepted into the school. I wonder how much am I meant to comit to - and what can I afford anyway? If placing Hannah is going to be difficult - and after this past few weeks and lots of sleepless nights and teary anxiety and panic attacks over that one I can't deny it is the scariest things have been since her OHS -do I want to deal with this sort of powertrip?? I know and have been advised by others that a good school can happen in spite of a crazy priest - but he still has a prescence in the school and some of his values must surely rub off - it doesn't seem very positive for inclusion to me. It makes me angry and upset.

I had sort of been told how things would be (his reputation preceds him) which is why I had also gone to another catholic school nearby - one that doesn't have any of that nonsense. The principal seems intelligent caring and well organised - lets hope that Monday's meeting goes well as I really owuld love for my children to experience a good catholic education. Oh and perhaps if we caould all send out a mean little wish that the local PP gets put out to pasture sooner rather than later...I am sure that God would understand.