A big day in all our French lives today – the kids started at school (photo is of Heather and kids walking down the lane from our house this morning). I’m not sure who was most nervous; them or us. Starting a new school is a big thing at any time; but doing it in a new country, where you don’t speak the language is all the more daunting. School here starts at 9 and ends at 4.30, but with an hour and half for lunch (12 – 1.30), during which time most of the kids stay at school and eat at the cafeteria. The kids also have Wednesday off (this is the day when most sporting and extracurricular activities are held). Fortunatley (for all of us!), it all seemed to go reasonably well. When we picked the kids up at 4.30 they were exhausted but had smiles on their faces. They all commented how the other kids gathered around them and asked lots of questions (most of which they couldn’t understand). But they seemed to meet a few new friends (although Sarah said “don’t ask me their names. I don’t know!). Some first impressions:
Caitlin: “I hope they don’t all gather round me all the time! It was a bit annoying” (Caitlin enjoyed the maths but found the grammar a bit hard...which is hardly surprising! She sat next to a girl who spoke some English so that was nice)
Amy: “I met lots of friends and played rugby! And the boys chased us round the playground“. (In Amy’s class was a girl who we had met over the weekend who looked after her during the day, and she came out at the end of the day holding the hand of another girl, so she is using her social skills well).
Sarah: “It was different to home because they didn’t even do the roll!”. (Sarah seemed to cope well and was happy doing lots of pictures)
Great to get that first day behind us. We can now settle into a daily routine which makes us feel less like “tourists” and more like we are living here.
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