Sophie Goes to School

Four months ago, with more than a few misgivings, we sent our third-born to school.  She was so determined that she wanted to go to school in Australia, and I had great confidence in her teacher, but it was a bit hard to walk away knowing that her learning curve would be rather steep.  James and I watched her through the classroom window for a while, she looked up and gave us a faint smile and a wave, and off we went. 

Sophie told me a few weeks later that she had never felt more alone in her life than when she sat at her desk on that first morning and watched the other girls greet one another.  Most of them had been together for two years already, and it would take some work on her part to conquer her timidity and make some friends.  One of her strategies was to raise her hand and confide in her teacher that she didn't have anyone to play with.  Mrs. Nash would then call her up to the front of the room and ask for volunteers.  I'm not so sure this method would work well in higher grades, but fortunately for Sophie it seemed to answer well. Before long she was right in the thick of figuring out which friend she would play with at which time during the school day.

Presbyterian Ladies College has a strong emphasis on music.  I recently counted more than two dozen faculty members that teach music in some capacity at the school, and there may well be more. Free introductory group lessons for various instruments are offered at different year levels in junior school, including violin in year two.  We hesitated at adding one more new thing to Sophie's schedule, but she has loved her lessons thus far.  We were all thrilled when she played her first recognizable tune a few weeks ago.  I would like to report that her siblings never complain when she practices, but unfortunately, I cannot.

When it comes to the academic side of things, Sophie has been in her element.  Unlike her older two siblings, my third child has been known to request additional seatwork, more workbooks, and more writing assignments.  I was not too worried, therefore, that she would find the change from homeschooling to school life terribly demanding, although it was true that she found the day to be rather long in her first term.  During her period of adjustment she never asked to be taken out of school, but she did think it might be nice if I could find a job at the school so she could see me from time to time.  I was touched, and told her that we would carve out special snuggling time when she arrived home each day.

After focusing on outer space for the first term, the attention shifted in Sophie's classroom to life cycles for term two.  I have been pleased to see that her enthusiasm for learning has not diminished since she began attending school.  I am sure we checked out every single children's book on space in our local library, and I would frequently find Sophie copying out the text and drawings at her desk in her bedroom.  She would have loved to take two chicks home with her after they were done observing and playing with them in the classroom, but we said no.  Fortunately one of her friends had more success with her pleas, so Sophie has been able to continue visiting two of them.

The excitement of chicks in the classroom culminated in a special assembly for the entire junior school put on by Year Two.  The highlight was no doubt the performance by all the girls of the chicken dance, but before that various girls had speaking parts describing what went on in their classrooms as they watched the chicks hatch and enjoy their first few days of life.  Sophie was asked to read a speech she had prepared on responsibility, and we were so proud of her for bravely accomplishing this task in front of several hundred students and guests.  My pictures did not turn out.  I needed a tripod as my hands were shaking too much for me to hold the camera still enough in the poor indoor lighting.

The entire school runs on an alternating Week A/Week B schedule.  This allows long periods of time to be devoted to specialist subjects every other week, and seems to be an efficient use of time.  Every second week Sophie has a two hour physical education class, while the alternate week provides more than a two hour stretch for an art lesson.  Swimming is scheduled every week, and it seems most students take additional lesson outside of school time.  We are thinking that our children should return to the United States much better swimmers than when they left.  Calling swimming a national obsession here would not be too far off the mark.

Here is Sophie just about to leave for school on a cold, and very dark, winter morning:

Sophie's teacher has been absolutely marvelous.  She is very soft spoken, but in spite of this, or indeed perhaps because of it, she has that wonderful capability to maintain order in the classroom without ever raising her voice. Occasionally she will remind the girls that a particular behavior makes her cross, and that seems to be all that is required for it to cease.  I think I need to take some lessons from her to implement on the home front. Sophie is convinced she has the best teacher in the school, and I am inclined to agree.  For this, and for so much more, we are truly grateful.

Comments

[Suzanne]

It is nice to hear she has had such a nice introductin to school and that she is enjoying it. :)

[Nikki]

I'm so glad to hear that everything has gone so smoothly.

[janetjames]

This is a wonderful experience for Sophie! I knew she would do well . Can't wait to see you guys!

[Ruperts]

Sophie and her classroom both look wonderful! All of the kids look healthy and great. God Bless you all with traveling mercies. Looking forward to our neighbors being home for a visit! We miss you! Happy Belated Birthday Cameron!

[Shanda]

I read this when you first published it, with teary eyes, just so happy for this gorgeous girl of yours. Proud of her.