We bid farewell to 2009 and said a less than enthusiastic hello to 2010, I’m not sure if it was because 2009 had just gone by right under our nose or was it because we are cautiously aware of the many new changes that lies ahead in the new year. Either reasons I think we’ve settled ok in the last 14 days. We are still alive!
Rae started a whole new adventure in life ~ entering primary school and although she gives politically correct answer to questions such as “are you ready for school?’ or “are you excited about primary one?” , as parents, Hubba and I knew that she was worried, unsettled and stressed about the new environment. Hubba and I had to reshuffle our lives a bit to accomodate the change as well, simple logistics such as waking up 1.5hours earlier every morning, Hubba sending Rae to school and then me to work, me working shorter hours, making the day’s dinner the night before, getting to bed earlier so on and so forth. We’ve managed quite well I would say, although it was quite a fair bit of getting used to in the first week. Now, everything seems to be so routine.
I had taken leave for the first three days of school to help Rae settle in school. She cried a bit (ah who am I kidding?), but to her credit, the crying got lesser and lesser as the days progressed. She didn’t even shed a tear since yesterday! For someone like her, I think it’s a great milestone. She has even made many friends in class and really seem to like the school now.
I am very pleased with the school that we’ve chosen and I think all this adjustments (logistically) is worthwhile. On the second day of school, I walked Rae in to her classroom and she started to sob when I was leaving, a P3/P4 girl walked by (possibly on her way to the hall), saw the scene and stopped without anyone asking and said with a smile “come, don’t cry. Its fun to be in school! The teachers and your friends will be with you and your mum will come later.” and took Rae by her hand. I was very moved (and quite honestly, nearly cried). As I thanked her, she replied with smile again “you are welcome and don’t worry, she will be fine.” ohhhhhh…….
I’ve had the chance to observed (while being the Squat leader outside the school gate) the way the teachers interacted with parents and girls, the way the other school girls took initiative to help out the little ones and even the school workers(gardener, guards, cleaners)are so polite and smiles much. I think they are very happy being there and there is a spirit of joyousness and love, how else can one be kind to another who is in need if she isn’t fulfilled emotionally herself? It’s almost like how a stressful work environment, produces grumpy workers and how a less stressful and caring boss can lead to productive employees. They are the same logic.
Although the school being further from home and we have to wake up much earlier to meet the school hours, I think its efforts that are truly worthwhile. The environment of the school is so great for a child like Rae who needs constant encouragement and affirmations. The stress-free school system is also something that really meets my idea of a primary school. I’ve done some reasearch and most of the feedback about this school has been really positive and girls from here all seems very well-rounded and happy people. And that, is what I want for Rae. One can be really academically high but unhappy and lacks human relation skills, I don’t think such a child would make it very far in life. This school is not in the top 10 but neither is it in the bottom 80, with a national passing rates of 90% and seems to do relatively well in all subjects and CCAs. The school also provides a locker for each girl to keep books/art stuff that they don’t need at home so it does not have to lugged back and forth. They’ve also given great thoughts into the planning of timetable, just so that the girls will not need to lug all the big and heavy books all on the same day. Its something minor but the efforts and thoughts are significant enough to show that the school cares, that is reason enough to drag me out of bed when the stars are still shining and the sun is far away (ok, I exaggerated).
I am happy, Rae is happy and Hubba seems happy too and that’s all that matters. It’s a good start to a great year and I am looking forward to the events that are going to unfold in the days, weeks and months ahead!
Happy new year everyone!
Sketches of Life ~ the sequel 