So DD is back to school and loving it. The last year of primary school is off to an auspicious start, and we’ve begun the whirlwind of school visits to choose senior schools next year.
Our first visit scared the bee-jay-sus right outta me. Seriously. Husband’s words: “If I hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t have believed your re-telling.”
The school we visited was gigantic and soulless. Even the art rooms. It felt a little like Gattaca come to life. I had an almost irrepressible urge to pinch one of the teachers to check if they were human or identikit robots with humanoid characteristics. The Head Teacher did a sparkling rendition of “I’m so fabulous” for about 45 minutes, followed by “The School is Perfect” for about 15, and ended with “your child would be so lucky to come here”. He also told us the teachers put their families second, and were actively encouraged to do so for the benefit of the school. That children and staff “didn’t dare to challenge the Head”. Say what?!?! Husband, DD and I executed a daring escape halfway through the school tour.
How can I entrust my child to someone who doesn’t understand work-life balance? Who puts winning above all? Who will not see my child as an individual? Who will not allow her to challenge and question and thus discover on her own? If we didn’t have a clear idea what we were looking for when we started this process, we sure as heck know now what we DON’T want for DD. I have to believe that was the worst we’ll ever experience and the rest will be better, right? Otherwise it’s home-schooling all the way. EEEEEEK.
On an upbeat note, the tropical weather has finally broken, and it’s starting to feel like sensommer (late summer for my non-Scandi readers) is sliding in to autumn. DD has settled on a steampunk theme for Halloween, so I am pinning costume ideas and scouring eBay for finds! Any suggestions and ideas are gratefully welcomed – send me pins on Pinterest if that’s easier.
I’m off to bake another batch of banana bread – they don’t last very long in this house now that I’ve meddled my way to a low-sugar, gluten-free version which is deliciously moist. Then I might move on to applesauce. I promise I won’t touch the pumpkins till October, but in the meantime, I am staving off my cravings with this candle.
Sweet Jesus that sounds like a mental school. Better off out of there! Good luck with the rest.
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Other parents walked out halfway through his ‘talk’. I wish I had the guts/don’t give a damn to do the same. DD begged us not to send her there!
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Good luck with the school choosing and i’ve been freaking out deciding on a camera! Thanks for giving me perspective 😊
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Canon, I love Canons!
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Don’t tell me that! Gone against the grain and purchased a Nikon. I really liked that too although I know heaps of peeps who shoot Canon!
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Yeesh, I would have been outta there like a bat out of hell! I applied for a teaching position at a private Christian school once. They asked us to prioritize God, family, and work. My honest answer had family first. I didn’t get called back.
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I still break into fits of hysterical giggles thinking about this school visit. I just can’t believe I sat through that.
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Should’ve live tweeted it 😀
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My god.. Sounds like the Head has been brainwashed.. Passion is fine, but only is it’s sincere..
I would have hated it there as a kid 😛
By the way: Love the word “auspicious”! 😀
The “sensommer” has been brilliant in The Netherlands. During the summer it was cold, but last week we had 30 degrees Celsius!
Good luck with the school hunt!
Warm regards,
Tieme
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Yes, we had a cold start to the summer, but August and September were hot! I think the seasons are moving. I am focusing on October, apple harvests and Halloween now. I hope you’re recovered from the midgie bites.
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Oh yeah, I recovered. Surviving the daily live waiting for the next chance to disappear in the wilderness is a bigger challenge 😉
Yes, October is ahead! The bad weather makes it nice inside the house!
Cheers,
Tieme
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