5. What impact has cruising had on your child's education? Has your child enrolled in traditional schools? How has that worked out?
Once we had our working visas we could enroll our children in a public Australian school. After 4 years of home-schooling three kids, I was by then really keen to hand over the teaching hat to someone else.
We went to the local state school and the principal welcomed our kids with open arms. The kids from other passing cruising boats like Totem, Ceilydh and Victoria joined the same school.
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After 1 year at school
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Cléa started at “Prep” which is the first year in Australia. She was just surrounded with first time schoolers too. She was so happy to have so many friends around her on a daily basis.
Victor and Félix had different experiences. Academically there weren't any big issues. However, it was their first time in an English speaking school and Félix needed extra support with his English. The school offered him some extra classes and after a couple of months he became a very confident English speaker.
Victor had to face some bullies as his differences of being French and South African, home schooled and having sailed across two oceans annoyed a few boys. He didn't want to blend in and stayed with a very small group of friends who he could relate to. So going back to school wasn't a smooth start for Victor but like his siblings he was happy to go to school and do something on his own.
Four years later, our kids are doing great at school and have great report cards. What comes out from the various teachers/parents meetings we've attended is that our three children are confident learners, independent workers, social, very polite and “a pleasure to teach”.
I am sure that their cruising life has had an important role in their way of being, thinking and interacting with others.
Cléa is an amazingly social little girl. Her week-ends are always full of invitations and not only from her class friends.
Félix gave an impressive speech at his primary graduation last year. His school offered him the opportunity to start an instrument. He fell in love with music and now plays clarinet daily by himself and in a few bands.
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Félix doing his end of primary school speech |
Clarinet concert |
Victor started drawing shelters and cabana while we were cruising. Now, he designs houses in his spare time as he would like to become an architect. His houses are environmentally friendly, bright and somehow open to their surroundings.
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Victor loves everything which is outdoorsy |
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Cléa is an amazingly social little girl |
However, we believe that education doesn't only come from the class room. We try to learn about different topics whenever an opportunity arises. While cruising you are always aware of your environment. Our children understand the reality of climate change and the necessity of protecting our planet. They also know that some people have a less easy life. The boys just finished a fundraising challenge to help children in need.
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