Another 2-girl family

Congratulations to my best friend XS and her hubby WK on the birth of their 2nd daughter Esther.

The Secret to Raising Kids Who Love School

We arrived extra early at school today because Beth's class was due to perform an item at Senior School assembly.

Just as Carmel and I were lingering on the pink concrete chatting, Jo came up and said she was going to ask Mrs V if parents were allowed to watch the performance.

It had never occurred to me to even ask such a thing. I was all geared up to drop J off at daycare, go to VicRoads then rush home to do my own stuff. When you have only three mornings a week to yourself, time is of the essence.

Anyway, I ended up following along and the four of us moms plus two toddlers rocked up to Werribee Baptist Church, where assemblies normally take place. The kids were SO excited to spy us parents.

And then it happened.

The Head of Senior School walked along the the row of Grade Ones and exchanged high fives with every single student. It reminded me of a coach or captain prepping up a footy team at the start of an important match.

Watching Beth and her classmates walk in two by two and sit quietly at the back of the hall, I felt such a surge of pride for all of them.

And then it was time to stand and sing the school anthem. J and I swayed and hummed along to the rousing tune. I thought to myself: can't wait for J to be part of the Heathdale atmosphere!

Then a Senior School teacher took the mike and announced, "We've got some special guests today. WHO WANTS TO SEE THE SPECIAL GUESTS???"

And proceeded to whip the crowd into a minor frenzy of cheers and anticipation.

Then Mrs V walked up the side, 27 little people following behind like so many ducklings, and they got on stage and belted out Who Is The King Of The Jungle alongside the Senior School rock band. The music was a bit fast, and the kids looked breathless as they struggled to fit lyrics and actions in. But they did really well, and you could see they felt pretty chuffed up there performing for all the older students.

When the performance was over, the Senior School teacher thanked 1V rapturously and got the older kids to cheer extra loud and long for the special guests. It was beautiful to see how the staff work so hard to engage students at all ages and to instil mutual respect and encouragement.

I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Senior School students were privately grumbling or getting bored. Who cares about a bunch of littlies singing when there are other things to think about: Facebook, MySpace, who's going out with whom, parties, assignments, exams....

And yet there they were, these tall, strapping Year 9s to 12s, doing their best to appear enthusiastic (as I'm sure many of them were) and encouraging.

Beth's class filed out and stood in a line near the entrance of the church.

And it happened again.

A lady teacher enthusiastically praised Beth's class for their fine singing, and then went along the line dishing out high fives and tens.

The Head of Senior School thanked the class for making the assembly time special, and said he had to come and visit 1V again because they looked like they were having so much fun everyday.

I could hardly believe what I was seeing and hearing.

Here were all these adults treating these 7 year-olds as special individuals worthy of their time and respect. Not talking down to them. Not patronizing them or telling them to go here and there and do this or that. Not rushing them back to their class. Just taking time out to make them feel special and important. And doing it all sincerely.

I tell you, I had tears in my eyes watching all this unfold before me. To think I almost missed a chance to be part of something very special.

It was a privilege in itself to see Beth and her friends perform, but to see how they were treated by the senior students and staff...

It makes me so grateful and glad that we sent her to Heathdale Christian College. The cost is dear, but it's worth it.

This is a school that really loves and respects the young ones who come through its gates, that takes seriously the task of nurturing and training and encouraging little people to become civic-minded, responsible and caring citizens and contributors to society 20 years from now.

Precious Moments

When the girls are not annoying the life out of each other, they actually get on rather well.