Miss B has started letting some of her classmates know that she won't be at Heathdale next year.

She's even giving out Mum's business cards - with our home phone number written on it - so her friends can keep in touch.

Guess this is a good sign that she's starting to embrace the change that's coming into her life.

HCC has offered to archive Miss J's enrolment file and has advised that we ring up the Enrolment Office to reactivate it whenever we need to. Her application will then be considered along with other applications as vacancies arise.

Isn't that a nice way to handle the situation?

Hubby and I are impressed.

Beth is doing a project on national anthems.

She started with Majulah Singapura, and it gave me a lovely twang in the heart when I sang it out to her. Almost couldn't finish singing properly, haha. What a sook.

Then she copied out the English national anthem lyrics, and we had a good discussion about the political zeal and aspirations of the British Empire and its citizens, and how different stanzas mention the Queen first then the King later.

According to Wikipedia, England has no official national anthem. God Save The Queen is just one of several national songs sung at national events e.g. sporting events. It is however used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown dependencies and there have been calls for a unique national anthem to be adopted specifically for England.

I've never had a good look at the lyrics before, and made such delightful discoveries as this one.

O Lord our God arise
Scatter her enemies and make them fall
Confound their politics
Frustrate their knavish tricks
On Thee our hopes we fix,
God save us all.

On to the German national anthem and the American one.

I'm learning as much as Beth, or maybe more, since I have the benefit of a larger perspective.

When one door opens...

On 17 March, the die was cast.

We got a call from GNLS asking if Beth and Miss J could come in for an interview the following afternoon. And could Beth please bring her latest school reports.

Miss J was so excited she kept telling everyone - her kinder teachers included - "I'm going to see my new principal today!"

Until we reached the school carpark...and discovered she was sound asleep.

Miss J is one of those kids who cannot be roused when she's in deep sleep.

"Jordanne, wake up! We're going to see your principal!" just didn't work with her.

So I had to carry her in my arms and lumber into the P's office, with Beth helping me carry the bag containing her reports and application papers.

I was proud of how Beth conducted herself during the interview, the charmingly frank way she talked about her composite class and specialist subjects and how she enjoys being part of the choir and ensemble.

Most of all, I am grateful that Beth has come to accept (not in a resigned bo pian way but with a positive attitude) that she will be changing school, uniform, friendships, routine etc from next year. She has truly matured in the last 2 years.

I was also impressed by the P's understanding manner, her communication and leadership skills, and the effort she put in to get both girls into the school. Perhaps the school reports helped, as well as our explanation that Beth had been doing extension work since prep, and is currently doing extension Literacy and Numeracy.

As she explained it, the prep enrolment for 2012 is full (such is GNLS' rising popularity). The only way she can think of is to accept Beth into Grade 3 this year or Grade 4 next year, and have Miss J come in as a prep sibling, which automatically guarantees her a place.

At one point, she popped out to discuss the matter with her leadership coordinator, and came back to announce that the latter supported her proposal.

I wished Calvin could have been there to make the decision with me, but he was at work. So I took my many questions and self-doubts in both hands and asked how the school would cater to students who wanted to achieve more. (I was careful to phrase that positively so as not to appear like one of those annoying parents who think their kids are super smart and deserve special treatment.)

I also explained that we would like Beth to stay at HCC for the duration of 2011 because of the unusual circumstances with her 2/3 composite class, which is new to the school, the teacher and the students involved.

The P accepted that, and we said yes to her offer of Grade 4 for 2012 for Beth and prep for Miss J.

I know we have made the decision that is practical for our family, but I cannot say I have absolutely no doubt we have done the right thing. If I only focused on what Beth is going to miss out - Year 5 camp, Latin, French and Chinese (which was one reason we opted for HCC to start with), ensemble - the fear that I have done the wrong thing by my child would break my heart.

I am not looking forward to breaking the news to the school mums I have grown close to: Jo, Carmel, Yvonne, Louie, Cassandra, my neighbour Sebby...

Not to mention nearly all of Sunday School.

But I also think of the mums at kinder who are considering Woodville PS, the non-HCC kids who do Kumon every Mon and Thu alongside Beth, other friends here who have opted to send their kids to the neighbourhood school/Catholic school, the relatively low cost (and high standard) of education in SG.

And I know HCC cannot be the only or 'best' choice.

Not when it causes so much financial strain for 10 months of the year as we work out how to pay $562 a month in school fees on top of the mortgage and other expenses. And that is for just one child.

Multi aging and composite classes

Heathdale is offering a 2/3 composite class next year.

The official reason is that it wants to accommodate all the students on its waiting list. However, there aren't enough to form an extra Grade 3 class.

Something like that.

We heard on the grapevine that only new students would be in the composite class.

But yesterday, we received a letter informing us that Beth has been nominated to be part of the composite class.

Apparently, those who are independent learners, can think laterally and have a good work ethic will benefit most from a composite class.

If that's the criteria for nominating Beth, then I suppose it's a good thing.

In any case, we had already been thinking of transferring to Good News Lutheran, which also practises multi aging in the classroom. Except theirs is a permanent arrangement: Prep, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6.

Have read up a bit on multi aging on the Net and it's mostly a benefit to the child.

However, gifted or talented students may find themselves held back if the teacher does not adequately cater to their needs.

And an older child (eg a Grade 3 in a 2/3 class) may feel left out of peer development.

Transferring school

It's done.

Have put in Jordanne's enrolment application for Good News Lutheran for 2012.

Was going to put in Beth's as well, but we had a couple of questions/concerns about LOTE Chinese, so I'm holding on to her application till I get those issues sorted.

Beth and I had a look at some past exam papers for Chinese as a second language, and surprisingly, she thought she might get to the level where she's good enough to understand the exam requirements and even do well in the exam.

She made an innovative case for staying on in Heathdale: at Year 5, she would be able to see what the students get to learn in Chinese class. Plus, she might even excel because of the headstart she's had through community language school classes. :-)

One of the questions CA and I had was if you need to be in a school that offers LOTE Chinese in order to take it up as an elective for VCE. From the comments of various parents as well as our own observations and research, it seems the answer is NO.

Judging from the kind of LOTE material Heathdale students use for Year 5 onwards, as well as the school policy of 6 months of French lessons followed by 6 months of Chinese, the intent seems to be to expose the student to different cultures rather than to prepare them to eventually sit the VCE. That eliminates the one big reason for remaining at Heathdale.

If Beth is at all serious about taking VCE Chinese, she will most probably have to switch to an intensive Chinese language coaching school (New Century, Chinese Culture School or Xin Jin Shan) that specialises in preparing students to be proficient enough to sit the VCE.

Over the hump

We've achieved a major breakthrough.

After the school tour yesterday, a serious discussion before bedtime and again this morning, Beth has not only agreed to transfer to Good News Lutheran (if accepted), she even suggested transferring in Term 3 2011 instead of Term 2, so she would be able to complete the Naplan test under the auspices of Heathdale.

She even joked about having two different uniforms within one year.

Thank you God. Only You could have worked such a miracle of acceptance and openness in Beth's heart.

School tour - Good News Lutheran

It's finally happening.

Have called Good News Lutheran and arranged to do a tour this Friday 4 pm, which will give us plenty of time for a post-exam celebration lunch on our way back from Carnegie.

Hubby is on leave for the day, so we'll all get to see the school facilities together and hopefully I get to have a chat with the principal too.

Kumon?

Am checking out Kumon to help Beth with her math.

She is not struggling. Yet. But I agree with my fellow mum Su****. Better to train her to learn at a higher level so it will be easy when she gets to high school.

This is just one of the testimonials on the Kumon website that are making me lean towards a yes to booking her in for 2011.

The only trouble: it's one more after-school activity on top of the music, Chinese and swimming.

Getting ready for kindergarten 2011

J received her kinder confirmation yesterday.

She has kinder orientation next Tue 11-12.30 at Woodville Park, where they will get to experience various kinder activities and meet their teachers. As she's been going to daycare since 18 mths, I don't expect she'll notice much difference.

Parents are also required to attend the AGM on 17 Nov, but we will only receive the info pack if we pay the first instalment of the fees before the AGM. Once we receive the invoice and make payment, we are to show the receipt to the kinder staff at the AGM.

Fees for 10 hour groups: $752 pa or $188 per term (it was $666 during Beth's time, and she was on the 12 hour program!)

Will be handing in the booking form to Wyndarra today and letting them know J won't be attending daycare wef Dec.

It's exciting to be able to pay some extra money into the mortgage and watch the outstanding balance shrink.

The Reading Box Drama

May be on my way to first confrontation with Beth's teacher.

Apparently, for reading comprehension, the class rule is that all students have to work their way through all 10 books in the Sunset Reading Box before moving on to the next level, the Red Box.

Beth came home in tears yesterday because a classmate was allowed to skip to Red after achieving 3 18's (full marks), whereas she herself had notched up 4 18's but was required to work through all 10 books.

My tendency is to avoid conflict wherever possible. I can't do the 做坏人 routine.

I offered various possible explanations: the teacher felt the classmate had an advanced level of comprehension and it would be a waste of time to hold her back? The teacher felt Beth needed to work more at her comprehension?

Of course, I realized none of these explanations were particularly comforting to my competitive child. She likes being top of the heap and doesn't take kindly to suggestions that at Grade 2, it's only natural that her classmates will catch up to her and even surpass her in their academic achievement.

So I said if her teacher's explanation for her actions matters so much to her, I'll email her teacher to clarify.

In all fairness, Beth is rarely upset by what happens at school so this is new to me.

I mentioned it to hubby last night and right away, he said something forceful and aggressive which does not bear repeating; never knew he could be so protective of our kids. He agreed with Beth's perception of the unfairness of her treatment, so I've just sent off an email - couched as courteously and non-accusingly as possible - and we'll see what her teacher says.

Sg primary schools to be more PE and arts focussed

Pay more attention to PE, art and music in primary schools: PM Lee

AsiaOne | Sun Aug 29 2010

PM Lee spoke about giving a "tailored, holistic education" during the National Day Rally 2010.

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed education as one of the important priorities for all Singaporeans during his National Day Rally Speech this year.

Held at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore, PM Lee spoke about giving a "tailored, holistic education" and emphasised that more attention should be given to physical education (PE), art and music in primary schools, in order to "nurture the whole child".

More specialist teachers should be trained and recruited to improve teacher-student ratios for such subjects.

However, he also said that traditional strengths should be maintained in Maths and Science, and soft skills such as oral expression should be strengthened.

He also spoke about how schools in Singapore are equipped with modern facilities, each developed with its own specialties, such as arts, band, sports, robotics or uniformed groups.

PM Lee highlighted a few of the interesting programmes in schools, such as a wall mural in Haig Girls' in which sketches are conceptualised by students, Nusantara Orchestra from Siglap Secondary School and hip-hop dance integrated with physical education at Riverside Secondary.

In his speech, PM Lee also raised the issue of the Primary Six Leaving Examination (PSLE) as a major hurdle, and that the PSLE is not "meant to be a do-or-die test that determines the whole future of a child".

He advised that there will be many good choices in secondary school and that students should not be dismayed.

Delightful Ditty That J Learned At School

I'm...
Squishing up my baby bumble bee
Won't my mummy be so proud of me
I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee
Oops! He bit me!

I'm...
Wiping off my baby bumble bee
Won't my mummy be so proud of me
I'm wiping off my baby bumble bee
Eee...Dirty!

PS. It took me a couple of months to figure out the lyrics for this one. J's pronunciation as a toddler made the whole thing sound like gibberish. But as she kept singing it and as my ears got attuned to her enunciation, I finally understood her.
I'm waiting for that opportune moment to capture J singing this on video. Such moments are getting rarer as she becomes more self-conscious. She's reached the 3.5 yr mark and she's already starting to get shy on people. "I'm shy" and "I can't" are some phrases she likes to whip out when she's just not feeling that chirpy.

Interim School Report/Parent-Teacher Interview 2010

Last night's interview with Beth's Grade Two teacher was such a blessing.

I learned that my little girl is smart, well-liked, popular, and that she does whatever she is asked to do, easily. I have to confess, my eyebrows went up at the mention of "well-liked" and "popular".

I saw her spelling results. 69 out of 70 for the Big Test, where the class average is in the 40s.

I learned that she is being stretched through Maths extension work in her little group of 3 with Mrs Walker, and that her teacher wants to be sure she is as strong in her measurement and shapes as she is with numbers.

We agreed that she needs work on her LEM phonics (matching a word to the rule when required) and that her reading ability far outpaces her comprehension and storytelling ability.

I felt like a child being praised when her teacher commented that Beth's after-school activities are perfect for rounding her out. (Beth wisely kept the bit about jujitsu to herself, as her martial arts instructor forbids students to boast about their involvement.)

I planned on going in alone, but Beth sneaked in as well, and sat on the floor next to me drawing innocently into her notebook...and eavesdropping on the interview.

Afterwards, we went out to Hungry Jack's to celebrate.

Hubby's question to me after the interview: so what's Beth's position in class? *sigh*

Funnily enough, Mum asked exactly the same question when I got on the phone to her later that night.

I had to explain that in AUS, they don't do positions. But yes, secretly I too would love to know what my child's class ranking is!

Getting Our Learning Act Together

Beth has just been offered a 30-minute slot with her current Yamaha keyboard teacher to start on the AMEB pathway. We had worked out that if she is to attain at least a Grade 5 before Year 6 (the year scholarship applications are submitted), she must start the AMEB now.

We're very excited because the arrangement is perfect: it's straight after her Sat group lesson so we don't have to make a separate trip on a weekday for lessons.

Yesterday was her first lesson with the Yamaha Junior Extension Course. It's so different from what the routine has been like for the past two years. For one, the emphasis is on self-learning, so parents are no longer required to sit next to their children during the lesson. The kids are expected to follow instructions independently; the parents sit at the back of the class and observe. What a relief.

The material is also significantly different. This year's focus is on Solfege singing and reading and Ensemble playing, with a lot more music theory homework (no more childish coloring in!).

Am having to work with Beth to overcome her biggest weakness: expecting Mummy to read the score for her when she should be attempting to sightread!

Yesterday was also the first Chinese class at the new venue: Point Cook Community Learning Centre. The location is splendid for parents who want to go shopping for groceries across the road: Coles, ALDI and Glory Asian Groceries are all within walking distance. And for display home tragics like me, all the new estates like Waterhaven, Innisfail, Alamanda, Featherbrook and Karinya are within 5 minutes' drive.

We spent an hour grocery shopping and the rest of the time on Old Geelong Road looking for a bunk bed for the girls. Have finally found one that both CA and I like, and that we think Beth will love. The colour scheme is white and lilac, perfect for her newly painted bedroom. At $867 for the frame and $219 per mattress, it's going to blow a hole in our budget, but this is just one of those things you can't avoid. If having her very own bunk bed encourages Beth to sleep in her room, I'll consider it more than worthwhile. I'm getting tired of being squashed between two bodies every night, especially when Jordanne keeps kicking me in the face or stomach.

Chinese Language School: Which Is Best For My Child?

Beth has just finished her third year with Werribee Chinese School...

...And still can't hold a decent conversation in Mandarin.

The school's not to blame of course. Learning a language has to be reinforced on many fronts, especially at home. Three hours a week on a Sat afternoon is the bare minimum.

It's poor consolation to know that we are not alone in being somewhat lacking in self-discipline when it comes to equipping our kids to be bilingual.

We have friends who are holding off sending their kids to Chinese class because it's such a hassle, because one or both parents can't speak Chinese/aren't terribly interested in Chinese anyway/ had bad experiences at school/moved to Aus to escape compulsory Chinese language learning so what's the point of forcing their kids to learn Chinese. Certainly, most would agree that weekend classes can be such a damper when there are more fun things to do, as they regularly take half a Sat away from precious family time and require considerable commuting time.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have friends who are contemplating transferring their kids to a 'better' Chinese school. One that has is well-regarded by other Chinese families, conducts lessons only in Chinese, offers tutoring up to Year 12, and is professionally run with native speakers.

Some schools that have come up in conversation are:

• Xin Jin Shan Chinese Language and Culture School in Braybrook
• VSL@ Taylors Lakes
• VSL@Melbourne High

The trouble is, these classes all run in the morning (from about 9.30-12 plus), and Beth is already committed to Yamaha keyboard class from 9.45-10.45 till 2011.

So for now, the options are:

• Homeschool Beth myself (she would love this option because it means getting away from three-hour Sat afternoon classes in a subject she is not yet competent in, but it will mean enormous patience, diligence and discipline on my part)
• Continue with Werribee Chinese School (which is moving to Point Cook in 2010, a much more pleasant learning environment compared to the current Glen Orden PS).
  

Sat 12 Dec was the last class for the year. During the annual party, I had a chat with the principal about Beth's progress. She had some interesting comments. She said it was for us as parents to decide, but she feels Beth still needs a lot of encouragement and hand-holding but she is otherwise doing well and has a good learning attitude (as evidenced by the Outstanding Student of the Year award she received).

I had a look at the new curriculum for 2010 and was pleased (being a typical Singaporean parent) to observe that the new workbook sets out daily homework to be completed. This regimen of forced daily learning will definitely help her build confidence and competence and sustain her interest and motivation in time to come.

One problem we have as a family is that I haven't been very diligent in making sure I converse in Mandarin with Beth or that we watch Chinese DVDs and play Chinese computer games. So that will have to be a goal for 2010: to offer daily exposure in the form of age-appropriate and level-appropriate activities and learning opportunities that stimulate, engage and help her become gradually proficient in Chinese.

Just because we no longer live in Sg is no excuse to be slack about learning languages.

As a recent study by the Uni of Melbourne puts it:

No country wants 18-year old citizens whose education has not challenged the naturally ethnocentric worldview they held as kindergarten children, and this fundamental benefit of language learning at school, along with the cognitive skills and affective maturity it also develops, is recognised internationally.

If previously monolingual Aus is now beginning to recognize the importance of proficiency in Chinese, how much more we, who hail from a tiny but successful country that has insisted on bilingualism at school, and whose graduates are well placed to live and work in other countries because of this far-sighted policy.

**Breaking News**
Beth decided - quite unexpectedly for us - that she would like to continue with Werribee Chinese Class next year.

As long as her good friend Jennifer (who has been her classmate @ WCS for the past 3 years and goes to HCC) is still attending classes with her!

Grade One Dress-Up Day 2009

The Good and Bad of School Hols

The school hols are upon me.

Yay to sleep-ins, lazy days with the kids, and no need to worry about what to pack for school lunches.

Nay to having the kids around me all day long, fighting with each other and driving me nuts with their endless need for interaction and entertainment.

This year, we are doing things a little bit differently.

First, we're not going away. That'll take some of the $ pressure off while I build my organics business.

Second, we're setting GOALS. For Beth especially.

My big goal for J is simple: getting her 100% off training pants by June. Shouldn't be too hard as she's already 90% there with her timing accuracy.

With Beth, I'm finding that she needs specific, measurable, achievable etc etc things to aim towards.

She's a bright girl with lots of potential. But we do need to work on her resilience, her attitude and her temperament.

So I've started listing some things for her to focus on in the new year.

Simple things like school awards, Principal's Reading Challenge, VIC Premier's Reading Challenge, knowing her times table by heart up to 12x12, playing through Books 1 to 4 of her Yamaha JMC in different keys...

Next year, she wants to take up gymnastics @ Gym Monkeys, which is run by one of the school mums (Zoe's mum Sue), self-defence and keep up with swim lessons, which she loves. She's doing really well under her swim instructor David who's from China. He is very firm with the frisky kids and very encouraging towards kids who display a positive learning attitude (like Beth and her pal Catherine, also from China).

We've also agreed on breaking up the hols with play dates, day trips and excursions to places that interest Beth, like Melbourne Museum/IMAX, Eureka Tower ... Beth has the list in her brown notebook.

Tomorrow is Bedtime Story Day/Dress-up Day, and Beth is going as Susan the Archer (Chronicles of Narnia). I got her a green T-shirt, green netball skirt, and Mandy kindly lent us a plastic bow and quiver of arrows and a lovely maroon velvet cape that can be tied around the neck. The Grade Ones get an icy pole at lunch as a special treat, and an afternoon snack while they watch a DVD.

CA and I often jest that we pay more school fees ($5k a year) and get less actual study (by Sg standards).

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.

School Presentation Night

Thu 27 Nov 2008 was a special evening for the Junior School.

It was the annual Awards and Presentation Night, and the highlight for us was cheering Beth on as she took to the stage to receive the Timothy Award. (Two students from each class receive the TA each semester.)

Achievement awards were also given out for proficiency in Maths, Art, and General Excellence In All Areas.

As it was our first Presentation Night as a Heathdale family, we didn't know what to expect. The place was just packed to the rafters with families and friends. Proud parents were sneaking video recordings and waving at their kids who were on stage.

The Juniors were wonderful. They sang, they danced, they led the singing of the Australian National Anthem and the Heathdale School Song.

It was our first time singing the National Anthem from start to finish and I felt very proud and 'Australian' (if that's possible after a short 2 years here) as I did so.

The evening also saw the official launch of 'Stuck In The Studio', a CD project put together by the Year 11 (equivalent of JC 2 in Singapore) Music Industry students. They wrote, produced, arranged and recorded the songs under supervision of the teacher-in-charge, and the whole school (from Kinder to Year 12) was involved in the singing.

Beth's class sang 2 of the tracks: The Alphabet Song and Happy Birthday Jesus. I know for a fact that she was terribly excited at the chance to be a 'recording star' for a day. She used to come home and sing Happy Birthday Jesus - the whole song by heart - so I knew the project had really affected her in a good way.

Which makes the CD a very meaningful project and a worthy investment. $18 for a whole year's effort by a whole school. Wow.

The first pleasant surprise of the evening was running into a couple who greeted us with great warmth and who looked really familiar.

Except I couldn't place them - and neither could CA. I kept thinking the guy was his colleague since he addressed himself to CA in such friendly terms.

Finally we had to confess we couldn't remember where we'd met them. That's when they laughed and said they'd met us at HXUCA earlier in the year when they came to visit their eldest son who is studying at the Melbourne Uni.

Their youngest daughter has just enrolled in Heathdale and was obviously enjoying being a part of the Year 2 performing team. Her mom tells me she has undergone a dramatic transformation from uninspired student to super-motivated...within a week of joining the new school!

Just one more positive testimony I've heard from parents about Heathdale.

We couldn't have entrusted our child to a better school. :-)

I particularly loved the understated way the Principal and Head of Junior School thanked parents for their support of the school's programs and of the students.

The P said something memorable like "Without the family, there'd be no school."

You don't always need grand gestures and motherhood statements to make an impact. Sometimes, it's sincere, humble words and deeds that make great leaders - and great schools.