What a glorious day today.  I’m not talking about the weather either.

My oldest child started school today.  I was so excited for him, getting his uniform all ready, and labeled with his name etc.

I know it’s early days and for now we are all starry eyed and in a honeymoon phase, but sheesh. I can really stand with my hand on my heart and say that where we have chosen to send him, is the most unbelievable child-centred school, with philosophies and rules completely in line with our own views.

What I noticed particularly, is that each of the parents there was acutely conscious of the fact that this was a school that we each chose, wanting the best for our kids. Government schooling here, is zoned by area (as it is in many parts of the world), but when it comes to independent schools you can choose where you want to send your child. The prices range from ‘okay’ to ‘ludicrous’ and this school is one of the ones somewhere in the middle. Competition to get into the good government schools is very high, and this leads to class sizes of 35-40 in some cases.  Skip’s class at his new school has 15 kids. There are 30 in his year in total (two classes of 15 each) and they have a teachers aide between them. This brings the teacher:child ratio to 1:10. Which is absolutely brilliant.  This is simply not the case at our local govt alternative. As long as we are in this country, I will be ecstatic to have him at this school.

At this stage, I can honestly say that I feel it is worth every penny. The facilities are bright, airy, modern and well just downright classy. He will be doing music, swimming and sport as part of his curriculum. His teacher is young, but friendly, and firm. As parents we are to call her by her first name.  Absolutely on the same team. I *really* like that.

There I was stressing that maybe I’m not good enough to send my kid there, too overweight and needing to read about the top 10 fat burners, and have some important earth shattering career to feel good enough, but it simply isn’t the case. The parents are all normal, non-stuck-up folk who want the best for their kids.

We are going to have the most awesome year. I can just feel it.

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