Our 420 Year 1-6 students. The 80 Kindergarteners were not at assembly. Colt is out of the picture on the far right. Kent is behind the last girl on the floor on the left. Cody is the boy talking to a friend in the first row of chairs at the back of the hall.
Life has taken another turn as the carefree days of summer are behind us. This week saw 5 of the Jackson 6 heading back to school and, let me tell you, it is just as difficult in January as it is in August! It's hard to get into bed when it is still light outside and it's even harder to get up early in the morning like the Aussies like to do! I'll tell you a little about each of our school experiences thus far....
Cody - Cody was the guy that really didn't want to come to Australia. He wanted to surf and then head home to Canada to finish up the hockey season! I'm very pleased to tell you that Cody is now the most excited member of the "Aussie Jackson 6"! He watches cricket non-stop and plays it at school too. He hit the ball over the fence on the first day of school and hit a parked car! (Kent said, "It was a Ferrari....no mom it was a Volkswagon.....it was red!" - Still his goofy self!) Cody has met all the boys that he was e-mailing with and they have become quick friends. He has other new friends too and has mentioned there is even a pretty girl in his class. :) One of the girls put a jar of Vegemite on his desk with a note - Welcome to Australia! Very cute....It'll probably still be here for you Mary! Cody has 33 students in his class and his teacher is Mr. Cook. He and his wife are our school mentors. Cody says Mr. Cook is very funny and strict and Cody is loving both. (So are his parents!) Cody has been doing his reading, daily homework and weekly memorizations without being reminded. (I know it's only day 4 but I'm impressed!) As you can see from the school pictures, on the 2nd day of school, Cody was voted a captain of one of the house teams. He is super excited about that. The school swim carnival (competition) will be held on February 14 and, as a captain, Cody has entered 7 of the 8 events so that he can earn 26 points for his team. I told him he better start taking his iron pills now!!
Kent - Oh my bubby....always the clown. Kent has 30 students in his Year 5 class and his teacher is Miss Carter. She reminds me of someone I used to teach right next door to but Kent hasn't figured that out yet!! :) Anyway, Miss Carter is also very strict (yah!!) but likes to have fun too. I talked to her about Bubby.....she can't say I didn't warn her! Kent has been very close with his e-mail friend, Dean, as well as a few other boys. When I walk across the playground at recess or lunch, his friends will point me out to him and Kent will pretend he doesn't see me....then will give a sly grin and a little wave....HONESTLY!! Kent has also been playing cricket every day and also hit it over the fence the 1st day of school. Kent is also signed up for several events at the swim carnival. I hope they can swim as well as they think they can!
Colt - Colt is so quiet and gentle. He is in Mrs. Graham's class with about 25 students. I think the curriculum is quite advanced in some areas compared to ours so I hope he does well. Mrs. Graham and I will be keeping an eye on him. She's been extra kind to him so far too (loaning personal books, giving draw entry forms, etc.) Today was the first day that I saw Colt really playing with other kids besides Khye. Mrs. Graham is trying to introduce him to and get him playing with the kids in his class. Today there were 6 boys and girls together. One of the girls wondered why I don't give Colt money for an ice bar like the other moms....oops! Colt is happy but doesn't say too much about school yet.
Khye - Khye is very confident for a 4 year old! He is in Mrs. Mulholland's class with about 20 students. Their room is right across from mine and close to Colt's. Khye has been playing with Colt and with other kids in his class. He talks about a boy named Rylan in his class and a boy with "different skin". Khye likes his school and the playground. Today, all of the big kids were called away at lunch by Mr. Cook so Khye and 2 other little boys took over the cricket pitch. They were very cute! Khye's biggest problem is that he is tired. He comes to school full days, 5 days a week!
Mom - Last Friday was spent meeting the teachers and staff at GEPS. We had 2 meetings and then I spent a bit of time finishing paperwork for the boys school applications. I worked until 7pm to clean and decorate my room. Saturday and Sunday were also spent at home, at play and at school. It's always interesting trying to juggle family and work and it's no different in Australia! The problem so far is....everything here takes me so much longer!! I could tell you where almost every item in all of Clandonald School is located but couldn't find a hole punch here. Little things like different sized paper, 2 ring binders, none of my personal teacher resources and not being able to understand my own timetable were setting me off! I have a binder of great Math and COGS plans left for me but couldn't understand them or find the resources to teach them. Between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night, my culture shock was sky rocketing! By Tuesday afternoon, I had had too much and had a little melt down during my Year 1 meeting. (Sorry girls...you are all so sweet!) They didn't make me cry.....it's just that my frustration had reached the saturation point and I couldn't hold it any longer. My Clandonald friends know I'm an emotional girl anyway! Heck...I had to leave town without even saying goodbye to Anita....too emotional! Well, now I'm happy to report that everyone is trying to look after me (and I mean almost everyone from teachers to staff to my sister!) You will be glad to hear that the rest of my week has been very good. I am settling into a routine and am feeling more confident. Next week will bring more changes but it should settle down after that. I am getting more sleep and am feeling better. My class is very loud (a product of their environment I'm sure!) and I will work on that. So, don't worry all, after my meltdown, I really am right now! The staff at GEPS have been amazing and very friendly and I am enjoying getting to know them this year. I think that the Year 1 teachers will become good friends of mine this year and I really appreciate them so much already!
So that's it for tonight. Mary is so right when she says it takes most of her day to update the blog. I've been at it for 2.5 hours already tonight. Check back soon because all 4 boys are going to start playing cricket on Saturday....we're just trying to round up their uniforms right now! Also, Howard will start work on Monday and that will be another great entry! Thanks for the comments, everyone. We love to hear from you!
Cody - Cody was the guy that really didn't want to come to Australia. He wanted to surf and then head home to Canada to finish up the hockey season! I'm very pleased to tell you that Cody is now the most excited member of the "Aussie Jackson 6"! He watches cricket non-stop and plays it at school too. He hit the ball over the fence on the first day of school and hit a parked car! (Kent said, "It was a Ferrari....no mom it was a Volkswagon.....it was red!" - Still his goofy self!) Cody has met all the boys that he was e-mailing with and they have become quick friends. He has other new friends too and has mentioned there is even a pretty girl in his class. :) One of the girls put a jar of Vegemite on his desk with a note - Welcome to Australia! Very cute....It'll probably still be here for you Mary! Cody has 33 students in his class and his teacher is Mr. Cook. He and his wife are our school mentors. Cody says Mr. Cook is very funny and strict and Cody is loving both. (So are his parents!) Cody has been doing his reading, daily homework and weekly memorizations without being reminded. (I know it's only day 4 but I'm impressed!) As you can see from the school pictures, on the 2nd day of school, Cody was voted a captain of one of the house teams. He is super excited about that. The school swim carnival (competition) will be held on February 14 and, as a captain, Cody has entered 7 of the 8 events so that he can earn 26 points for his team. I told him he better start taking his iron pills now!!
Kent - Oh my bubby....always the clown. Kent has 30 students in his Year 5 class and his teacher is Miss Carter. She reminds me of someone I used to teach right next door to but Kent hasn't figured that out yet!! :) Anyway, Miss Carter is also very strict (yah!!) but likes to have fun too. I talked to her about Bubby.....she can't say I didn't warn her! Kent has been very close with his e-mail friend, Dean, as well as a few other boys. When I walk across the playground at recess or lunch, his friends will point me out to him and Kent will pretend he doesn't see me....then will give a sly grin and a little wave....HONESTLY!! Kent has also been playing cricket every day and also hit it over the fence the 1st day of school. Kent is also signed up for several events at the swim carnival. I hope they can swim as well as they think they can!
Colt - Colt is so quiet and gentle. He is in Mrs. Graham's class with about 25 students. I think the curriculum is quite advanced in some areas compared to ours so I hope he does well. Mrs. Graham and I will be keeping an eye on him. She's been extra kind to him so far too (loaning personal books, giving draw entry forms, etc.) Today was the first day that I saw Colt really playing with other kids besides Khye. Mrs. Graham is trying to introduce him to and get him playing with the kids in his class. Today there were 6 boys and girls together. One of the girls wondered why I don't give Colt money for an ice bar like the other moms....oops! Colt is happy but doesn't say too much about school yet.
Khye - Khye is very confident for a 4 year old! He is in Mrs. Mulholland's class with about 20 students. Their room is right across from mine and close to Colt's. Khye has been playing with Colt and with other kids in his class. He talks about a boy named Rylan in his class and a boy with "different skin". Khye likes his school and the playground. Today, all of the big kids were called away at lunch by Mr. Cook so Khye and 2 other little boys took over the cricket pitch. They were very cute! Khye's biggest problem is that he is tired. He comes to school full days, 5 days a week!
Mom - Last Friday was spent meeting the teachers and staff at GEPS. We had 2 meetings and then I spent a bit of time finishing paperwork for the boys school applications. I worked until 7pm to clean and decorate my room. Saturday and Sunday were also spent at home, at play and at school. It's always interesting trying to juggle family and work and it's no different in Australia! The problem so far is....everything here takes me so much longer!! I could tell you where almost every item in all of Clandonald School is located but couldn't find a hole punch here. Little things like different sized paper, 2 ring binders, none of my personal teacher resources and not being able to understand my own timetable were setting me off! I have a binder of great Math and COGS plans left for me but couldn't understand them or find the resources to teach them. Between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night, my culture shock was sky rocketing! By Tuesday afternoon, I had had too much and had a little melt down during my Year 1 meeting. (Sorry girls...you are all so sweet!) They didn't make me cry.....it's just that my frustration had reached the saturation point and I couldn't hold it any longer. My Clandonald friends know I'm an emotional girl anyway! Heck...I had to leave town without even saying goodbye to Anita....too emotional! Well, now I'm happy to report that everyone is trying to look after me (and I mean almost everyone from teachers to staff to my sister!) You will be glad to hear that the rest of my week has been very good. I am settling into a routine and am feeling more confident. Next week will bring more changes but it should settle down after that. I am getting more sleep and am feeling better. My class is very loud (a product of their environment I'm sure!) and I will work on that. So, don't worry all, after my meltdown, I really am right now! The staff at GEPS have been amazing and very friendly and I am enjoying getting to know them this year. I think that the Year 1 teachers will become good friends of mine this year and I really appreciate them so much already!
So that's it for tonight. Mary is so right when she says it takes most of her day to update the blog. I've been at it for 2.5 hours already tonight. Check back soon because all 4 boys are going to start playing cricket on Saturday....we're just trying to round up their uniforms right now! Also, Howard will start work on Monday and that will be another great entry! Thanks for the comments, everyone. We love to hear from you!
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