So... We thought v seriously about moving to Geneva 2 years ago. I, a lawyer and the breadwinner (DH is a SAHD), was offered a job but it wasn't the right job or the right time - I'd recently had DD and we def wanted another. Instead, we left London for the countryside. However, the Geneva idea hasn't gone away (makes sense because of the type of law I do and because my degree was French) and now our family is (we think!) complete - I've just had twins(!) - we're thinking about it again with a 3-5 year time frame in mind for making the move. We need the dust to settle a but after having the (surprise!) twins (12 weeks ago...) and I want to make the next "rank" in my current firm.
A huge draw is giving the DCs the opportunity to be bi (or tri) lingual. Doing French and Italian for my degree made me acutely aware if what a massive blessing it is (I'm not - I learnt my languages the hard way!). Anyway, we would, all being well, plan to move for the long term (for all or most of the DCs school years at least) and would def be doing the local public schools.
I have friends who live in and around Geneva and while some live on that Geneva to Nyon strip, others are over the border for the cheaper rents - so upshot is we might be in either the French or Swiss system I expect. The vague plan is that DH would continue to be a SAHD and, as he's a teacher, would do a bit if coaching to ensure written English was up to English standards.
DD is 3 and was born in Oct 2010. She's just started in the first year if the nursery at a pre prep/prep here and, in the English system, is one of the very oldest in the year. She'll be going into English reception in Sept 2015.
I vaguely know the French system but not the Swiss. I'm confused about what year she would be in when and when, ideally, would be best for her (not worried about the twins!) given she has no French (although we'd try to prepare her). To a large extent, it depends on what job comes up when, but I'd like to have an idea.
Re the Swiss system, I gather the first proper year of ecole primaire is "6+". I'm guessing that means, for her, from Sept 2016, then she'd turn 6 that Oct. it would include all children born in Jan-Dec 2010? Is this first year when they learn to read and right and therefore the ideal year to start (it's unlikely to be earlier)? Would Sept 2017, ie the second year of primaire, be markedly harder for her?
Re the French, would Cours Prep for her also be Sept 2016? Again, I gather this is key as they learn to read and write in CP? Or do they learn in Grande Section?
Generally, how hard would she find it all at 6, 7, 8? I'm guessing at least two horrid terms for her ? Also, does anyone think either the (French) Swiss or the French system is markedly better than the other. I thought perhaps Swiss as ibgayhervthey get v good at German, but that may be a misconception!
All rather far in advance and vague at the mo, but I sort of need to suss out my plan of attack for when I go back to work after maternity leave!
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Contemplating a move to Geneva in the next 3-5 years but confused by how school years work and when will be best for DD...
33 replies
legallyblond · 05/12/2013 19:58
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