mkmurrays

A rare post from the OK Murrays

Our daughter had her commencement (graduation) from elementary school today. She starts High School in September. She's done a full year now in the Canadian education system, and during that time has blossomed and gained a formidable Canadian accent, as a result of a huge amount of effort on her part.

For those with kids about to move over, I'd like to report that we've been delighted with this year, how she's fitted in, and her academic performance. She's made some AWESOME friends too. In addition to her studies, she has got involved in charity fundraising and all sorts of extra curricular activities. Not doing the proud mum bit (well maybe a tad), but more providing reassurance for those in the throes of the move.

Commencement was fun, and all the kids were involved. We had to sing 'O Canada', which I'm ashamed to say we struggled with. Must make a note to practice! Then the kids went on to their Prom and a dance and food. This week they have a day at the beach, and a separate half day with Grade Ones helping them make sandcastles. Last week they went to Vancouver for three days and stayed at the university.

If you're moving over with kids, I know it's a huge leap of faith. I also recognise that not all schools are the same. But our experience has been undoubtedly positive, so a big thumbs up from the OK Murrays.

Hope this doesn't fall victim to the Dull Housewives categorisation. I thought it might be of interest to the people still on the other side of the water.

burton bunch

Congratulations to then OKMurrays

One year down - many more to come.

Gay
x

Coffeepot

Thats great, sorry if this is dull but i am worried about moving my son from a great school here to CA, its very encouraging to hear your daughter has come on so well

moondevil

Nice to hear the kids have settled.

From one that is still here (not for the trying) it helps hearing such a great post

thanks
gill

AmyDavid

Am glad the commencment went well - shame on you for not knowing all the words to "O Canada".....! I had my eldests graduation from pre-school last week and I also did not know the words though when everyone stood up and sung it with such enthusiasm it nearly made me cry!! Must be getting old or something!

Am so pleased your daughter is feeling so settled - it makes the move completely worthwhile doesn't it?

amy xxx

Cookie

Great post MKMurrays - happy Canniversary!

I can fully endorse everything you say. Our kids were at the 'tricky' ages of 13 and 16 when we arrived and have nad no problems settling in at all. They both have great friends and plenty of activities (winter and summer) to take part in if they want to.

I too struggled with the words of O Canada and was embarrassed, so have made an effort to learn it. All Canadian kids stand and sing to O Canada every morning at school so they learn it quickly. It's sung before all our local hockey games (Here is the 3 year old that sings at our local Crushers Hockey Game), but the best I have ever seen and heard was the 30,000 crowd at the Nickelback/Daughtry concert in Halifax last July 1st (Canada Day).

Our kids have no school this week but go in for grading day on Friday. Then it's off round the town to get loads of free treats from Timmy, Sobeys, Dairy Queen, Superstore, MacDonalds. This is their way to congratulate the kids on coming to the end of a successful school year

mkmurrays

Sounds like kids adapt pretty well from the posts. This week it's all grads, Proms and year books.

On the 'O Canada' front, we've sung it (badly) at concerts and hockey games too....we should be word perfect by now.

Like AmyDavid, I get tears in my eyes when I hear it...which is odd for an old cynic like me. Perhaps it's a realisation that we actually ARE here after all that time of planning and fretting?

One thing that still amuses me about the schools here is the tanoy (spelling?). It still reminds me of 'Grease', and the Principal bellows out 'O Canada' through it every morning. On the quiet I half expect to hear 'ping pong, Mornin Campers' in best 'Hi Di Hi' fashion....well maybe not!

Rete

Congratulations to your daughter. Two questions:

1. What is a Canadian accent and what does it sound like. I am married to a Canuck and don't hear and accent.

2. She graduated elementary school and then goes to HS? What happened to Middle School and/or Junior High. Here elementary school is up until the 6grade only and high school starts at grade 9.

mkmurrays

Good questions.

I'm not sure what a Canadian accent is in terms of how to define it. She sprinkles 'jeez' and 'awesome' into her conversations, and there is a change to the way she pronounces some of her words. I think the accents thread is more help than me. When she's on the phone to her friends she sounds like a different girl.

In Kelowna, we have some Middle Schools, but Jenny is in Grade Seven, and turns 13 in a couple of weeks. Then she goes straight to Okanagan Mission, from Grade 8 until she graduates.

Sorry I can't be any clearer than that!

Bleech

Congratulations on your first year!
Question though, how can you be a dull housewife if you come from Kelowna? I thought all women from 'up here' were all on drugs?

mkmurrays

Ssh, don't tell everyone, or they'll be here in droves.

Yoong

Good post mkmurrays,congratuations and wishing you all many happy
years here
Yoong

printer

Congrats from us too, you helped us out when we needed somewhere to stay a year ago and like you we have fitted in and never looked back.

Congrats also to Bleech for returning to BE.

Lorna_D

Congrats on reaching your years canniversery and to your offspring for doing so well at school.

Now if you'd like to hear a real Welsh accent say Hi Di Hi Campers then there it was.

purple80

Congratualtions on you Canniversay,
Just shown our eldest who is 11 years old this post, she is very excited about our move, and cannot wait to start her new school in September.

Think it help to know that other children are enjoying school.

Charlie