No Hat = No Play

Today was all business.  We toured the school where Lily and Madeline are registered and we also had our admissions interviews with the Director of the Preschool and the Head of the Junior School.  We're exhausted, but really excited about being a part of this school.

The girls will attend the Australian International School, AIS for short.  We chose this school because it is close to Scott's work.  AIS is for all children, preschool though high school.  They are an IB accredited school for all years.

We felt very welcome there today.  Our tour began at 9:30 with the Head of Admissions.  She went over some information about the school and curriculum and our schedule for the day.  She gave us information about the parents organization and sport programs.  We had a few business items to address and then we headed out to see the school.

First, let me explain about the academic calendar.  This school, and many of the schools here in Singapore follow a different calendar that we do in the states.  Here, the school year starts in January and goes until December.  Although Lily just finished Kindergarten and is ready for 1st grade, we have her starting in Prep (Kindergarten) for the rest of this year and she will start in Grade 1 in January.  I think it will be great for her.  It will give her a chance to adjust to her new school and not feel too anxious about the academics.  For Madeline, it works out perfect!  She will be 5 in December and will start Prep (Kindergarten) in January.  Madeline is SUPER excited!  To help her get prepared for full time school, she is going to be in pre-school this year.  However, she won't start until the next school term which is in October.  Lily is starting school right away.  Her first day is August 10th.

There are school uniforms!!

These are Lily's uniforms.  There's a dress in green and white plaid.  A PE outfit, yellow polo with green shorts.  A backpack, socks and a hat!  I still need to pick up her school shoes.  Black leather Mary Jane's.  The school has a policy for the playground, no hat = no play.  I think it's adorable!  I asked Lily to model her uniforms, but she didn't want to.  PE is twice a week and the PE uniform is warn all day for that day.  The older children change their clothes for PE, but the little ones don't need to.

All of the children in the school (all grades) are sorted into 4 houses (Harry Potter anyone?).  The houses compete in sports and all kinds of school competitions.  Lily was put into the Murray House.  On Friday's, all the children wear their house shirt with their PE shorts.

Murray House is the Lions (Gryffindor).

Madeline was not put in a House.  The sorting happens at Prep, so she will be in a house starting in January.  Preschool will be on M/T/W for Madeline.  She was placed in the Crocodile class.  Here's the preschool uniform:

It's a little skort with a blouse and a hat.  She can wear her own shoes for preschool.  Too cute!

In our tour, we saw the gym, music and art rooms.  Each of the girl's classrooms, the playgrounds and the canteen (cafeteria).  The buildings seem very new and clean.  There is plenty of space.  Lily's class has 22 students and 2 teachers.  Madeline's class has 22 students and 3 teachers.  I like those numbers!  One of the teachers in each class speaks in Mandarin.  Both girls will learn Mandarin as part of their curriculum.

We met Madeline's teacher today and she seemed wonderful!  I'm excited for Madeline :)  Lily's teacher was out sick today, so unfortunately, we were not able to meet her.  However, we met the children in her class and nearly all of them offered to help Lily on her first day of school.  They seemed very sweet and excited to have her join their class.  I got to speak to one of the parents that was volunteering in the class today and she said that it's a really sweet class.  

We left school a little after 2:00 pm.  Wyatt fell asleep on the train back to our "home".  We've all just been relaxing and resting.  Today is Scott's birthday!  I think we all just want to head to bed early tonight.  

In other news...  we got the  condo that we wanted!!  I am SO excited.  Our lease starts on Aug 15th.  We'll be literally across a small driveway from the school.  Just 3 minutes walk.  Whoo hoo!  I'll post more about the condo later.