shell74

My Daughter will be turning 7 when we arrive (fingers crossed) she would have been in year two in the uk . How does the education system differ ? How have your children settled?

Rachel69

Hi,

My daughter turned 7 in May, and in England she would have been in year 2, but here she is in year 1. She was half way through year 1 as we left UK, when we arrived here she had to go into Kindy at the very start of the year.

I dont think the education system is that much different, although most of the schools are alot bigger and there is a lot more pressure put on them to do well etc.

We made a wrong choice in the school and our kids didnt settle until we moved them into another school (Steiner), and now they are really happy.

The kids have all settled really well, (including my 9 year old at the time, he's 11 now, who was adamant that he never wanted to come here) and its really surprising to see how quickly they adapt and make new friends, its like they were born here now!

shell74

thanks,
My daughter is beyond her years , due to my nana 70 being my child minder while i returned to full time work. I don't regret that !!! My son turns 1 in September and i want to put them first now hence our move to Australia.

Rob12paws

We came over two years ago when our dd was 7. She turned 8 a month after we arrived. She completed year 2 at school in the UK and started school here in January last year for the start of year 3.

She loves her school here and is far happier than she ever was back in the UK. She has made some great friends, and her education has come a long way too - she's made great strides academically, although it's impossible to say whether that's due to her new school, being happier here (she was bullied in the UK), or having better teachers/better education system. We have certainly found that the emphasis here is more on educating to be a good citizen/person rather than any obsession with academia, but we prefer that in some ways - at least she will use what she is learning. The academic standards are still fine by us though.

She wouldn't go back to the UK in a million years. Nor would we. Your dd is a good age to adapt and I'm sure she will. Good luck to you all.

r12p

busterboy

I have always admired Steiner schools and was considering one for my son in a few years time. However, have read a disturbing report in The Age about them being investigated as a cult....if you can find the report...I'd be interested in your opinion.

Wendy

My daughter goes to a Montessori school, which is similar to a Steiner school. I'm well impressed with it.

busterboy

I have heard good things about both. In fact Nephew went to Montessori. I think that is why I was surprised by the article.

DunRoaminTheUK

Our boy has just turned two and whilst he can quite yet speak I think that he loves it here. He plays in a different park every day (I think that the sheer abundance of parks for the children to play is amazing and there is nothing to rival it back home) and generally gets to play outside a lot.

If I gave him the mortgage/bills/s****y government policy/p**s poor salary commensurate to my experience and industry to worry about for a week or two he might end up feeling like me.....

He would be by far the biggest loser if we ever returned to the UK....

mashy

Two girls aged 8 and 11 settled really well.
The youngest goes through phases of being homesick but says that she would rather live here than back in the UK

Rachel69

I think I read about that a while ago. I totally disagree, alot of people have weird opinions of it and they usually know nothing about it. My kids absolutely love it, I think its great.

shell74

Now your in Australia what do you wish you had taken with you ?? House clearance has begun

busterboy

Warm duvets, fleeces, jackets

terriefarrell

excuse my ignorance but what is a steiner school? Is it private?

Rob12paws

Steiner education is a philosophy, as is Montessori. If you google either, you'll find plenty on the subject. Steiner and Montessori education is private (sadly) and they generally have a long waiting list. We wanted to go the Steiner route when we came here, but the only school with vacancies was way outside our limit for travel with only one car. Have a look at this: http://www.silvertree.wa.edu.au/home.htm - gives a nice overview. Some are much more rigid to the philosophy than others - for example, some ban TV, some ban plastic toys, only permitting wooden ones. It's more a lifestyle, I guess.

HTH.

r12p

terriefarrell

read the complete banning of the internet and decided that this wasn't for me! Never heard of it before, interesting though.