THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

After long, long summer vacation Jake and Gab have returned to school.  They are going to St. Leonard’s College – Cornish Campus.  It is a private, non-denominational school located about 20 miles from Melbourne.  It is a relatively small school with only a total of 350 kids for years K through 12.  Jake has a total of 40 kids in his grade.  His grade is divided up into two classes of 20.  Gab has a total of 18 kids in her grade and there is only one class for her grade.  In addition to Math, English and Science they will be learning Japanese, Home Economics, Religious Education, Art, Music, PE, French and Environmental Studies. 

Jake has started taking private guitar lessons through the school. He is also required to play an instrument in the band.  He was going to play the trombone, but has switched to the trumpet due to the large number of trombone players the band already has.  Jake is also required to participate in Sport, and has chosen soccer.  They practice twice a week and play one game against other private school each week.

Gab has started taking private singing lessons through the school.  She is required to play the recorder and will be learning the violin next year.  She will be responsible for growing a garden from start to finish next year.  She will plant, grow, harvest and cook the food she grows.  Thank God for Mr. Jim showing her a thing or two on how to grow a garden!  She will definitely know how to take care of tomatoes.  J

They are required to wear uniforms to school every day.  The pictures below show them in their “summer” uniform.  These uniforms are not as formal as the “winter” uniforms.  They will have to wear a tie, collared shirt, sweater vest/sweater, dress pants for Jake, and plaid skirt for Gab for winter.  Gab has to pull her hair back every day and must wear hair ties and ribbons that are the school colors.  They have a separate PE uniforms that consists of a track suit, shorts and polo/rugby top.  Black lace up school shoes are required every day.  Sneakers are to be worn only for PE.

They have adjusted well to all these changes and are loving it and thriving at their new school.  Gary and I could not be more proud of them.