Joondalup & the search for high schools

A few eventful things have happened this week, worthy of a mention;

Firstly we managed to get quartz guys from a different pool co, Balmoral Pools, to come and put the quartzon on the pool which has meant that we now have a pool filled with water !! But (there's always a but !) our own pool co haven't yet fitted the pump and filter so we STILL can't use the thing. This supposed to be happening on Tuesday, time will tell !

Secondly, with the train line now being in, the girls and I (Paul was working) decided to go from one end of the line to the other. The train actually stops in Clarkson so we got off slightly early in Joondalup and went straight into the Lakeside shopping Centre. It has certainly changed a lot since we were there last when we arrived but it was nice to see some different shops and both girls decided that they needed to new clothes, luckily the sales were on  so Nakita got 4 tops and two pairs of leggings and Tallulah got a skirt, pair of jeans, pair of pjs, shorts and a couple of tops all for the sum of $185 (about 85 pounds) so it was pretty good - we then had to figure out how to get it all back on the train ! - but we are now planning our next trip up there - when we've saved up some dosh !

Finally, today was the start of the high school search. Tallulah's name is down for three private high schools and we are looking at a couple of state schools too but I'm not sure about those, I have heard lots of bad stuff and rarely any good. Today we visited Frederick Irwin school, this is a private school and is very highly rated (it's in the top 50 schools for WA). Before we went I was a bit apprehensive, it wasn't my top choice as they are highly academic and Tallulah isn't ! However, the facilities are superb and the arts area awesome, I have never seen such good facilities at any school before and I have kind of changed my mind. The down side is that this year there are 350 applicants for only 100 places so I have no idea if Tallulah will be invited for an interview let along offered a place. Even if she is there is the question of school fees. Private schools here are a lot cheaper than in the UK but they are still $3,600 a year (1,600 pounds) but you also have books, uniform (a lovely dress for summer and skirt, blouse and tie for winter with blazer, sports uniform, none cheap), camps, trips, parent fundraising fee, school building fund ............. need I go on ? Obviously if she is offered a place and wants to go and it's right for her then we will somehow find the money. The we have two years before we get hit with this all over again with Nakita. Argh !!

03:56 - Sun 24 February 2008