Surprise, Surprise!

I'm a happy and proud mum.

Last Monday, my son brought home his first blue award from school.

Then yesterday, while checking his bag for school notes, I saw another blue award!

Two blue awards for one week? Just on his second week in school?

I'm not complaining :)

It says in the handbook that a Deputy Principal Award will be given after the kids have collected 15 blue awards.

A principal medallion after the next  15 blue awards.

I'm very proud of you Kuya Liam!

It's just unfortunate that I wasn't there when it was presented because on both days, I had work :(

But I'm happy because it only proves that you enjoy going to school :)

Kindy Transition

Liam attended his Kindy transition for three consecutive Fridays.

During the first meeting, he had plenty of questions prior our arrival to his big school. When we got there, he got excited when he saw other kids lining up getting their id. The kids were divided into five groups. He was assigned in the pink room. It was only for forty minutes and for the first week, the focus was on literacy.

While they practiced inside the rooms, the parents had a mini orientation in the Library. The Assistant Principal for Kindergarten explained their Literacy program.

After forty minutes I came back to pick him up. The first thing he told me when I met him? "Mama, I liked it!"

Whew! Indeed a sigh of relief!

He got more excited when we went straight to the Uniform shop to get his Summer uniform. We also got his Sport uniform, hat and library bag. Those alone cost $250!!!! We still need to buy him his school shoes, joggers, and jumpers.

For the second week, they had Maths. He was counting the days until it was Friday again. Like during the first week, he enjoyed their session. He was too eager to share that they talked about shapes that morning. No uniform shopping today.

Third week was the final day for their Kindy transition. They had Health as their theme and while they were in the classroom, the parents had coffee time. It was an opportunity to mingle and meet not only with the teachers and administrators but also with fellow Kindy parents. I got to ask and clarify issues with the Asst Principal without having to speak in the big crowd :) I got to meet two Filipino parents whose older kids also go to QHPS. I'm starting to establish my network.

After picking up the kids from their assigned classrooms, we headed off to the COLA area where the different school clubs presented a special number. Seeing different kids sing, dance and play musical instruments got my little boy more excited.

We skipped the morning tea with the other parents and headed home with a big smile on his face.
And talk about perfect timing, the book he requested for us to buy arrived today! :) We bought it for him as a reward and as a motivation :)

Overall, the programme helped him prepare and wait in anticipation for the start of the big school next year. The question now is, am I ready?

Here are some photos I took for the last three weeks.

first week was on Literacy



second week focus was on Maths

third and final week on health with Mrs. Macdonald here

Liam's Big School Update

I can't believe that choosing the best school for my son will be this hard.

Another answered prayer came in the mail today.

Yes, our application to Quakers Hill Public School was accepted. The school will accommodate us even if we are not within the local area.

The past months, since we have seriously considered it as a possible school for Liam, we have prayed that God direct us to the best decision. In our prayers, we are taking it as a sign that if Liam's application for enrollment in the said school is approved, then he is for that school. So since we got the answer to that prayer today, we should already  be rejoicing, right?

Well call me nuts, but I'm just being a segurista. Sorry Lord, kulit ko ba? hehehe

So why again all the apprehension or hesitation?

The convenience and the logistics. It will be easier for me if he just goes to Barnier. I will be more at peace because his cousins go there (assuming Lance is not accepted in the OC programme).

My other questions about QHPS has been fully answered to my satisfaction the last time I was there. The school does utilize technology in their school curriculum, they have a lot of extra-curricular activties for their students. The academic programs are in place and are all time-tested. I like what they have to offer. They have Reading Eggs and Mathletics for their students. The school ranking is very good. And the thing is, they have OOSH within the school premises. Their school starts late, 9:10 am and ends late 3:15pm, so even if I continue working, it will not be as hard for me. The school is only 5 minutes away from home and not ten minutes as I initially thought (yes, I timed it!)

But I still want to make sure. Can you blame me? I'm just a parent who wants the best for her child.

I plan to still ask around and research more about the programmes in Barnier (it's not in their website). I will have to ask for the School Information Booklet so I can compare what they are to offer to their students.

So why am I still hesitating? Wala lang, stubborn? Probably. hehehe

QHPS gave us until 17 August to hand in all the other requirements. Hopefully by then, hubby and I have learned more about the programmes at Barnier, compared notes and have already arrived at the best decision.

Still praying that we will be guided every step of the way.

Updates on the Big School

Last Thursday, I and Liam had an interview with the Deputy Principal of Quakers Hill Public School. The interview went well. Liam was a bit shy and always looked at me before he answered the questions, but he did pretty well for a first-timer. It was a very informal one. I also had the chance to ask questions.

After the very short interview, the Deputy Principal toured us around the campus. It's like giving me a personal parents' orientation!

She gave me a welcome pack already so I can read and know more about the school. Although at this point, we are still on the waitlist. The committee which will decide on the number and who among those waitlisted will be given the opportunity to enroll for next school year. The school will keep in touch and I was informed that we will be hearing from them latest September.

Before the interview, I was already settled and somewhat decided that we will just let Liam go to Barnier. After the interview, I am now convinced that Quakers Hill Public School might just be the school for our little boy. My issues on technology and their programmes for advanced kids are just one of the many reasons why I am reconsidering. They have before and after school care within the school, they have many extra-curricular activities being offered to kids, they have Scripture classes as well. Even Liam changed his mind after our trip.

The waiting (and the harder part) part now begins. I will keep you posted when I receive (hopefully, the good news) the letter from the school.

We are still discerning for it, but we might just take it as a sign, if ever we are considered in that school :D

Looking Forward

I am an excited mum :D

Next year, my little big Kuya will already be going to the big school! Yes, there is no stopping them from growing up!

Anyways, as of this writing we have two choices.

One: Barnier Public School.  I got the application form yesterday and submitted it today.

According to the school secretary, he is already accepted, officially enrolled, since we are within the area of the school. Yipee!

Hubby and I are considering this school as our top choice.  Barnier Public School  is a Technology school. It is only a few blocks away from our place. It's beside the present pre-school of Liam. It is the same school where his Kuya Lance and Ate Anika go to. In other words, it will be very convenient.

We think that technology is really here for good. It is the thing of the present and the future. There is no way we can stop technology from being a part of our daily lives. So I guess, it will benefit him to be familiar and to learn thru technology.

I am more at peace knowing that he has older cousins attending the same school.

What about his RE classes? They have Scripture classes every Tuesday :D

Now, option 2: Quakers Hill Public School.

Kuya Lance will be taking the placement test for Opportunity classes for Year 5. If he passes, he will transfer to Quakers Hill Public School. We are not in the local area so I think we will be in the waiting list.

Why are we considering this school? We also plan to have Liam try out in the Opportunity classes when he reaches Year 5. But we are considering the social implications if he starts in Barnier and transfer him later on in Quakers Hill Public School (if he gets accepted in the OC Programme). By that time, I'm pretty sure he has already established his friends in Barnier. Hubby and I are thinking, if accepted, we will push thru with Liam's enrollment in QHPS as well. Might as well let him start in QHPS than transfer him later in Year 5. That way we have addressed the social implications of him establishing a new set of friends and adjusting to the school all over.

I am still not familiar with QHPS. It is not a technology school but from the feedback and the school ranking, it is performing really well. It will not be very convenient for though because it is still a ten-minute drive from our place. And I have to study the other details like OOSH or Day Care Centres available near the school.

The school-choosing thing is the serious part. Now for the fun part!


Now, what am I looking forward to? Why all the excitement?

As you very well now, I am a primary school teacher here. Working on a casual basis, I was given the chance to handle different year levels, from Kindy to Year 6, in different schools. Just last week, I handled a Kindy class. And I just can't help but ask myself and imagine what kind of student Liam will be.

Will he be like me? I am no nerd and I don't consider myself bright. I am just diligent and hardworking. I plan and organize things ahead of time. I follow the teacher and I do not like breaking the rules. No fun, huh? hehehehe Hindi ako kalat at makupad, medyo OA nga lang sa aga mag-prepare at mag-aral lalo na pag may exams. I am one chatterbox. I panic when I miss deadlines! Ehem, I am an academic achiever from elementary up until college (okay, even in my Masters :p)

Will he be like his Papa? He is not a nerd as well, but he is naturally intelligent. He is the type na hindi mag-aaral kahit ang dami-dami ng dapat aralin. He will just start studying the day before the exams and still manage to get good grades. He is Mr. Cool, not worrying even if he misses a deadline. He has problems in planning and organizing stuff. Medyo kalat, sorry Papa :D He is the silent achiever.

Will he be like some of the students that I have met over the year? Madaldal pero nakakagawa at may natatapos. Mr. Tulala or Mr. Dead-ma?, "Mr. I Can't Do This!" (I hope not!)? Tahimik, makupad at walang natatapos? Makupad? Kalat? Kalimotero? Maayos at mabilis?

Exciting, huh? :D

I promised myself that I will not be a stage mum, but it doesn't mean that I will not get involved in my son's studies.

Like in my previous post, I will still continue to give him his fare share of stress (ooops) when it comes to studying. I plan to establish his study habits as early as now so we will not be having any troubles when he gets older. I will continue to give him supplementary exercises so he is always one step ahead. (So he will not have a hard time adjusting when he gets to Secondary School where all students start to get stressed because of HSC!)

But secondary school will be a totally different story.

One step at a time.

I still have to wait though for the official letter from the school in the post (probably next term) informing us of his acceptance and the next steps that we need to do.

I can see that Liam is excited as well. He just doesn't know that I am more excited!

Can't wait :D