First Day of School

The boys finally had their first day of school! The week before we moved into our new home, we were traveling back and forth from Oteha Valley to Stanmore Bay getting the boys registered, tested, getting tours, and purchasing their uniforms. Then with the Easter holiday, they finally started their new schools midweek. Schools are zoned here, meaning you must go to the school where your home is located in the zone. Gavin and Trevor go to the same school. Elementary school is called primary school. Trevor is in Year 2 (equivalent to 1st grade) and Gavin is in Year 5 (equivalent to 4th grade). We had them move up a grade because of the difference in school year times between the USA and New Zealand (New Zealand's school year is from February-December). Instead of having them repeat most of the year that they had almost completed, we had them start a little late into their next grade level. And, when we return to the USA they won't be behind in school. Their school is a close drive away. I'm sure we could walk or ride our bikes but we haven't yet ventured out to figure a route out.

Ethan is in Year 7. Middle school is called intermediate school here. The intermediate school that we are zoned for is a middle school and high school combined. High school is called college here. So, Ethan is now attending college! We live close enough for him to walk to and from school. 

It was a crazy first few days of school getting our schedules figured out and getting them all to and from school but we now have it under control and have found our groove. 

Uniforms. Oh uniforms. They are mandatory and they are expensive! We totally knew that coming and were prepared for the price, but it's still hard to swallow paying that much for clothing. I just bought a few shirts, shorts, and jackets for them and will plan to do laundry a few times a week. We were able to buy a few things used from people in the area. Bless Facebook and their community pages! Gavin & Trevor need to wear their school shirt & shorts but they can wear any socks, shoes, and hat. Ethan, however, must wear the school's shirt, shorts, socks, all black shoes (no other coloring at all), hat, and PE gear. When they get home from school I have them change into normal clothes to prolong the wear of their uniforms…gotta be smart. 

Both schools have a morning tea time and lunch time. Tea time is essentially snack and recess for 30 minutes. Lunch is 45 minutes. They get a lot of outside time. The schools are great about fitness and outdoors. Poor Trevor found out the hard way that your tea time snack must not be sugary. A boy in his class told on him for having a fruit snack and Trevor felt horrible. They can only bring fresh fruit, nuts, crackers, or yogurt. Gavin's teacher isn't as strict and I can send him with a granola bar (they call them muesli bars). 

Primary school hours are from 8:45-2:45. College hours are from 8:40-3:15. It's nice that we get to sleep in a bit.

After school, we wash up, change, have a snack, do any homework (which isn't very much here), and we head to the beach to explore. We absolutely love being so close. There is a path right through the grass to the water from our house and we can choose to wear our swim suits (they call them togs) or just wear our clothes and walk along the sand and rocks when it's low tide.