Leaving primary school & coming back again

[Anenome]

Long story sorry...DH has been working in Australia for 7 months now..he's been back twice but the job's set to go on now for at least a year and more like 18 months.

He took it because there was nothing here for him and it was very well paid.Thing is...while it made sense for me and DD's aged 6 and 2 to stay here in our rented house then....it doesn't anymore...we all miseach other too much and feel 18 more months is too long.

We are worried though about pulling our 6 year old out of her lovley school and then returning her again.

Her school is tiny and I know they will do their best to make sure she re-settles...but like lots of kids she doesn't adapt to change very well...and she's lovinng school atm.

I have spoken to her and asked if she would like to go to Oz for a while and she liked the idea...seemed to grasp that it wasn't for a sleepover!

I am also worried about the quality of schools in the area we will be in...they're crap basically unless you pay 12 grand a year...which cancells out any savings we will make through DH's work...I have been thinking of home education over there...so I can keep her on an English curriculum perhaps with the help of a private tutor...I suppose I am here wanting input, thoughts...advice and reassurance that o be wih Daddy and have a change for while is better than us all being apart.

DH has been to see the few schools available and wasn't impressed...

Which part of Australia are you going to?

S.A. Malaleuca...I don't really want to be too specific on here...but it's semi rural.

try this site for school results

Thanks invisibleink....I've already checked that one out, which is partly why I'm worried about the local schools. I have also chatted to some local Mums and there are quite a lot of social problems in the area which make me uneasy...

Well look on it as a year of adventure with a new continent to explore!

Have you joined essentialbaby.com.au? That is another site where you can chat to locals - pop onto the SA boards or the education section.

But back to you original dilemma, personally, I would do it. I know how my kids suffered being away from their Dad, and it wasnt for nearly as long.

I think if the schools are really a big issue, then you should just home Ed. You can slo home ed 'on the road' and travel around seeing the sights whilst still learning! What an awesome opportunity!

Invisibleink

Thanks for the positivity! I have bee told qute a bit that home-ed would be goog chance for the DC's to fully experience a new culture...just bit anxious about her settling bck down when we return...I suppose its best we do it now rather than later!

been...not bee...and GOOD rather than goog!

Oh and back not bck!

I think I'd be inclined to move to Oz as a family and not worry too much about the schooling. The schools may not be the same as the school she currently attends but perhaps she could attend part-time and have that topped up by you? Her current school is tiny and sounds lovely but no doubt there are schools in the UK that you wouldn't be happy with...what would you do if you had to move elsewhere in the UK and her only option for school was less than perfect?

I know a number of Australian teachers (mostly teaching in less 'nice' schools) who've spent years teaching over here, in urban London and sought out similar schools once they returned to Oz. It may be worth asking the schools if they have any teachers who've spent time over here and are familiar with the UK curriculum.

Hi Anenome

My gut feeling is make the move and try it! This is an opportunity that, if you dont take, you will/may regret for the rest of your life. Time passes by so quickly and suddenly you are middle aged and realise you have done nothing with your life.

The schools, from a British point of view, are not as good as the UK. But everyone says that about every country, that we consider the British education to be the most superior. (But is it really?)

They do seem to start the formal learning a lot later than the UK but it doesnt do kids any harm and they tend to even out. The schools tend to focus on social skills rather than the structured pressurised system used in the UK.

Being a united family together is the most important factor and you can work on the education side yourself to supplement school

Your DD is young enough to adapt, and you can make it part of your daily routine to supplement her learning, there are so many resources available, both on line and in libraries.

With regards to returning to the UK, she will find her friends have moved on and she wont/might not slot back in where she left off. This will be the hardest factor about returning, but she will have had a tremendous experience that many other kids will never have.

If the area is poor, with social problems, will you have to live there? Could you/Dh travel.

This issue is one you need to be be comfortable with, otherwise you will find the transition hard, but keep talking to other mums and ask lots of questions. What does your DH feel about you living inthe area? (you dont need to tell us)

Anenome - if your dd's school is tiny, you need to consider the fact that she may not get a place when you come back.

The school will not be able to hold her place open for her.

You need to look at other aspects of the schools, not just the results. The children who are faring badly are probably the ones who have to contend with all the social problems which (I'm guessing) yours won't.

And do speak to the current school about what will happen if you take your children out. Schools can't hold vacancies if there are people on the waiting list, so you may find that you have to go to another school when you return to the UK.

One word of caution. When you come back to the UK there is no guarantee your daughter will be able to go back to her current school. It is unlikely they will be allowed to hold the place for that long. If anyone else applies for a place at the school they will have to give your daughter's place to them.

This is, of course, unlikely to be an issue if your daughter's school already has a few empty places in her year. However, if it is full or very nearly so it is something to think about.

I would go.