Alex, Chloe and I took a trip to Victoria and Nanaimo a couple of weeks ago to look at schools. We attended some open houses and Chloe went through an application process for St. Michael's University School. The outcome of that was an enthusiastic and quick acceptance of her into their school. That meant Alex and I had to make a location decision between a better job, lower house prices, etc. in Nanaimo and a good (but not quite as good) job for Alex in Victoria, higher house prices and one of the top schools in Canada. We chose option two reasoning that we've had our turn of prioritizing our educational and career needs; the kids only get one chance for their childhood education, they are eager and it doesn't get any better than this!
This weekend was Ava's turn. We made arrangements for her to do what Chloe had done at SMUS but at a different school. SMUS suggested we let Ava try them out too (where they previously hadn't had a place in Grade 5, one came up) - guess they loved Chloe so much they wanted to meet her sister. We'd done such a good marketing job on the other school that Ava vacillated and finally decided on a day with SMUS as well.
Unlike Chloe's assessment day where we just dropped her off in the morning and picked her up in the afternoon, I spent a good portion of the day with Ava at the junior school. It began with chapel and that was wonderful. A girl from kindergarden played everyone in on the piano. That morning's service was from the Christian faith but they rotate chapel through world religions. They also have a monthly virtue (following the Family Virtues Project) and the Reverend introduced this month's virtue, understanding, through a lovely story about how he had recently developed his own understanding of those he works with. There was some singing from the children that included the school song with children singing in harmony! At the end the children were played out by a teacher playing Morning Has Broken on the piano. What a way to start one's week!
After chapel Ava and two other applicants went off to do testing. Ava thought it was great fun because they allowed her to write a story. She wrote about a snake named Bono from Ubud, Bali. During her interview the school principal expressed interest in Ava's experience at Green School (she even asked if Ava would do a power point presentation to the school in traditional Balinese dress). After two hours of art class with some really nice children Ava didn't want to leave and asked if she could stay for Japanese class as well. So by 3:00 armed with her letter of offer Ava begged me to call the other school and cancel her day with them.
Ava's really feeling good about her choice as are we. Alex and I really want to give the girls a push, but not a push for the sake of
pushing but to maximize the potential in each child. When I asked at SMUS about theorists like Sir Ken Robinson (who talks about the importance of cultivating creativity) they were all over it; some of the teachers have attended conferences with him. Staff are encouraged to go right to the top for continuing education and are sent to leading-edge institutions like Harvard.I feel so thankful both to be able to offer this opportunity to our children (thank you, Alex!) and also thankful that our children recognize opportunity and are willing to risk taking big bites out of life. Way to go girls!
So there you have it, decision made! Let the next adventure begin...
