A few days after our arrival, we visited some local schools to figure out where we wanted to send the children. We first went to Orewa North Primary, a small, but very friendly school in the town of Orewa. The principal was very hospitable and spent over an hour with us, answering our questions and showing us around. Annick, Isaac and Quentin seemed very pleased with it. The kids were tickled to see so many of the children playing barefoot at school. Apparently, it is very common in New Zealand, especially in the warmer months, for the children to come to school barefoot. Another difference we noticed immediately was the outdoor nature of the school buildings. Instead of having one big building connected by hallways, all the classrooms, offices, libraries and such are small, independent buildings built around courtyards and connected by outdoor walkways. There is no cafeteria. The children eat their lunches outside at tables and then are free to play for the rest of the hour.
We then visited Orewa College, but Xavier was not immediately convinced that this was the right place for him. Later that day, we visited Warkworth Primary and again, Annick, Isaac and Quentin all seemed very enthusiastic about the school. In the end, they mildly preferred it to Orewa North. Everyone at the school was so welcoming and there was even a small outdoor pool for the children to use. We were amused to see the on-site dental clinic. Apparently, it is common in NZ to have a dental office (otherwise known as the "murder house") on the school property and the children are treated for free!
Fortunately, our visit with Mahurangi College the next morning with Xavier went very well. They spent a considerable amount of time showing us around and answering all our questions in a pleasant way. The decision was made: the kids would attend schools in Warkworth. (Warkworth is about 15 minutes north of Puhoi.) We went back the next day to enroll the children and purchase their uniforms. Even public school children in New Zealand wear uniforms. The primary children are “encouraged” to wear shoes in the winter months, but may go barefoot if they wish. At Xavier’s school (the college), he has to wear black, lace-up dress shoes (no sport shoes!). Physical education class is done in bare feet, which apparently gets a bit rough in the winter when PE is scheduled for the morning period.
So far, school life has gone very well for Xavier. He doesn’t find school particularly challenging academically, but he likes his teachers and his classmates. He thinks “food tech” is fun (they are making fudge today) and loves the fact that they get an hour of recess at lunchtime. He finds it a bit odd that all the boys let the girls enter the classroom first before they will go in. Polite or sexist?
The other three have found the transition to be a bit rockier, but they have settled into the routine and overall are enjoying the experience.
We then visited Orewa College, but Xavier was not immediately convinced that this was the right place for him. Later that day, we visited Warkworth Primary and again, Annick, Isaac and Quentin all seemed very enthusiastic about the school. In the end, they mildly preferred it to Orewa North. Everyone at the school was so welcoming and there was even a small outdoor pool for the children to use. We were amused to see the on-site dental clinic. Apparently, it is common in NZ to have a dental office (otherwise known as the "murder house") on the school property and the children are treated for free!
Fortunately, our visit with Mahurangi College the next morning with Xavier went very well. They spent a considerable amount of time showing us around and answering all our questions in a pleasant way. The decision was made: the kids would attend schools in Warkworth. (Warkworth is about 15 minutes north of Puhoi.) We went back the next day to enroll the children and purchase their uniforms. Even public school children in New Zealand wear uniforms. The primary children are “encouraged” to wear shoes in the winter months, but may go barefoot if they wish. At Xavier’s school (the college), he has to wear black, lace-up dress shoes (no sport shoes!). Physical education class is done in bare feet, which apparently gets a bit rough in the winter when PE is scheduled for the morning period.
So far, school life has gone very well for Xavier. He doesn’t find school particularly challenging academically, but he likes his teachers and his classmates. He thinks “food tech” is fun (they are making fudge today) and loves the fact that they get an hour of recess at lunchtime. He finds it a bit odd that all the boys let the girls enter the classroom first before they will go in. Polite or sexist?
The other three have found the transition to be a bit rockier, but they have settled into the routine and overall are enjoying the experience.
