nikkiwd Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 liking reading your updates Lou, you seem to be sorting out everything so quickly! funny how you recognised someone from Jersey, my hubby has a memory like that where as I'm the opposite. Hubby says I must walk around with my eyes shut lol. We have just left our neighbour and friend who was a swimming mum so I know what you mean about spending all that time poolside, her son who is aiming for next commonwealth games spends 10 hrs a week swimming! Hope you figure out schools, bit of a nightmare if they were at different ones though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadhouse Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Hi Roadhouse No problem re the docs for the licence. If you PM your email address to me I'll forward you the PDF I was sent. How old are the kids? Have you got schools sorted out yet? thanks lou, will pm you my details now. My eldest is 9 (girl) and youngest 4 (boy). They very excited. We have been In touch with two schools in particular settlers hill primary and baldivis primary. But because we have a holiday rental for the first 5 weeks we can not enrol them until we are actually living in our first renal or at least have paper work for it to say we are in the catchment area. Both schools say they will have plenty of room for my daughter but 'kindy' classes seem to get pretty full quick so unsure what will happen if that is the case. Maybe you don't send them or wait until they start infant school. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 On a much more serious note...a little update and dilemma!! My eldest had an interview this morning at Frederick Irwin and has been offered a place immediately...dilemma!!! I would love to say yes but they don't have a place for my other 2 which could mean they end up at school in Baldivis, or wherever we end up renting/ buying, which won't be convenient for getting my eldest to school. Alternatively we can take a place for him immediately at Tranby in Baldivis and a place for him from year 7 at Frederick Irwin (from 2016) when the other 2 are also likely to also have places at the school. Tranby have told me they can't accommodate my other 2 children until Jan 2015! What to do??? Arghh!!! This narrative of your first few days is great Lou, really enjoying hearing how quickly you re getting sorted. We have started to look at schools and Frederick Irwin was one of our favourites- a friend posted a message on for me to her Perth friends for information on others views and we got some really good feedback from parents and pupils alike. Do they have a catchment area you are required to live in? Our son is 14 though sounds like yours are younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest6235 Posted May 16, 2014 Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 Yeah nice fees too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 This narrative of your first few days is great Lou, really enjoying hearing how quickly you re getting sorted. We have started to look at schools and Frederick Irwin was one of our favourites- a friend posted a message on for me to her Perth friends for information on others views and we got some really good feedback from parents and pupils alike. Do they have a catchment area you are required to live in? Our son is 14 though sounds like yours are younger. There's no catchment area as it's private and the school is not selective although a place is not offered until the pupil has been interviewed by the head / deputy. My kids are in year 3 and 5. I think your 14 year old would be in year 9 or 10 if they turn 15 before the end of June so yes they are younger. The school appears to have the closest standards in behaviour and academically within the area we are looking to the school my children used to be at. I also liked Tranby, especially their enthusiasm, their approach to technology (they are an Apple school) and the arts. I loved art and went to art college. I think nurturing kids in all subjects; art, sport, drama etcetera, as well as those subjects that get them higher up the league tables is really important. Life is not all maths, English and science but the basics do need to be there. I think I have a few tough decisions! If he goes to Tranby, at least initially until year 7, all 3 can go to the same school but the 2 younger ones can't start until January so it's what to do between now and then?! If he goes to Frederick Irwin then I'm likely to have a logistics nightmare! Although it's only 20 mins down the road (my school run used to take 1.5 hours!), there's also transperth that run buses from here to the school and I may be able to share lifts once I get to know some other Mums! My son loves sport and art, ICT and maths....so which would suit him best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loulou Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 You have done so well Lou! We have moved to Baldivis from Cockburn 2 months ago and love it here. Can't help with schools as I have kept my boys in Mater Christi Catholic in yangebup as didn't want to upheave them again and I go to work that way . Good luck with your decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Yeah nice fees too. They're cheap compared to what we were paying in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 It's a beautiful sunny day, 24 degrees with the odd cloud in the sky! My youngest son had swimming lessons this morning, eldest played his first rugby match and my daughter is currently trialling gymnastics. Hubby has his first interview!!! They have sent him a file with questions and then he has to video himself answering the questions and email the file back to them! We've never come across this technique before! I'm still in a dilemma about schools and haven't found a school for my twins yet. Tbh so for I've only looked privately as we are staying with family but next week we shall have to start enquiring with the local State Schools. Does anyone know if the State schools in Baldivis take children outside catchment? Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 We had a lovely afternoon looking at the Reduce Reuse Recycle sculptures at Rocky foreshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocolevi Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 Looks lovely Lou x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 It's a beautiful sunny day, 24 degrees with the odd cloud in the sky! My youngest son had swimming lessons this morning, eldest played his first rugby match and my daughter is currently trialling gymnastics. Hubby has his first interview!!! They have sent him a file with questions and then he has to video himself answering the questions and email the file back to them! We've never come across this technique before! I'm still in a dilemma about schools and haven't found a school for my twins yet. Tbh so for I've only looked privately as we are staying with family but next week we shall have to start enquiring with the local State Schools. Does anyone know if the State schools in Baldivis take children outside catchment? Lou Hi Lou, The Baldivis state schools are quite strict on catchment due to heavy demand for places. We got our three into Makybe by showing our build contract and they started while we were still in Secret Harbour. Best thing is to go in to each school and ask to see their catchment maps, also ask for a tour round to get a feel for the school. Justin ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 [quote name=Loloo 100526]We had a lovely afternoon looking at the Reduce Reuse Recycle sculptures at Rocky foreshore We where looking at them weekend Some really good ones Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 We where looking at them weekend Some really good onesDeb We might have stood right next to you Deb and never known it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Hi Lou, The Baldivis state schools are quite strict on catchment due to heavy demand for places. We got our three into Makybe by showing our build contract and they started while we were still in Secret Harbour. Best thing is to go in to each school and ask to see their catchment maps, also ask for a tour round to get a feel for the school. Justin ;-) Thanks Chardy. I've given 3 schools a ring today including Makybe and were going to go and have a look at them this week and find out catchment areas etc. I've also been looking on the Education Departments website which describes the catchments as advertised in the Gazette...bit of a nightmare though...I wish I could just see the outlined on a map! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Ok, so here's a little update as it's late and hubby is snoring loudly next to me.... We had a few of Aussie friends 'mates' round for a BBQ on Sunday afternoon...a bit of a welcome to Australia by sil and bils friends we met at their wedding. We had some great food cooked by yours truly and....OMG...a divine pavlova from The Cheesecake Shop in Rockingham....I thought I'd died and gone to heaven! Today my eldest, who was offered a place at Frederick Irwin and Tranby schools starting immediately, opted to go to Freddie's so tomorrow he's picking up his uniform and he starts school on Wednesday! We've been told he can travel to and from school by Transperth for only 50c each way so if he wants to be a bit more independent he can make his own way to school which will solve my logistical headache. I still need to find a school for my other two as neither of these schools can take them until January 2015 at the earliest. So, as we don't have a permanent address, we have a slight problem. Anyway I've arranged to go and have a look around some schools which we are interested in and if we like them we'll need to look at renting or buying a house within their catchment. Hubby spent the morning in the city meeting recruitment agents and we spent the afternoon car shopping....NIGHTMARE with three kids in tow and the salesman insisting he comes with us on the test drive....not used to that where were from! We have our hire car until a week tomorrow so we really need to make a decision this week. We think it's down to a Kia Sorrento, Hyundai, Holden Captiva or a Toyota Kluger...all are 7 seaters. There are some great deals on Holden at the moment as it's their end of financial year sales...trouble is it's a bit gutless...lots of noise but not a lot of acceleration. So tomorrow's a day of sorting school uniform! Hubby's in the city again! I'm really missing our holidays now I wish I could be back on Sentosa island! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 so happy for you Lou, sounds like your all settling in really well. good luck to your eldest starting school on weds, hope he gets on really well :-)) xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocolevi Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Sounds like it's coming together nicely Lou hope your eldest enjoys school good luck to him x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 I think I saw The Cheesecake Shop on google street view when I was looking at houses? Glad you're getting sorted though! It makes me realise no amount of planning takes away from just how much can't be done until you actually arrive....Fab news about the school transport. Is that normal child prices or a special Freddie's bus? I haven't had a single school come back and say they have a space for my eldest so he goodness knows where I'll have to ship him off to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Sounds like you are doing really well getting sorted Lou, you ve achieved so much in a week!!! Do you know what the catchment area is for Frederick Irwin I need to start some serious school hunting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 (edited) Hopeful and SideShowDeb...I've sent you a pm about schools specifically answering your questions. The Transperth system and 'Smartcard' (I think everyone calls it despite it having changes it's name!) is available to all school children. They are issued the card by their school, you top it up and your child can hop on and off any Transperth transport...bus or train. They tag on when they enter the transport system and tag off at the end of their journey. So if they are getting the bus and train it's classed a a one journey and only costs 50c. I think it's a great system and really opens up your options. We're used to a poor transport service so I'm really impressed. Edited May 19, 2014 by Lou8670 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Out of those cars I'd avoid the Holden and the Toyota is best for reliability but Hyundai and Kia very good too. Have fun on the school tours and let is all know what you think ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Out of those cars I'd avoid the Holden and the Toyota is best for reliability but Hyundai and Kia very good too.Have fun on the school tours and let is all know what you think ;-) Thanks Chardy...I think that's pretty much our view! It's just Holden are $10k cheaper and include everything; we're impressed by Kia and Hyundai...never thought I would be but our eyes were opened when we hired a brand new Kia at Gatwick. Toyota feel solid but they have a lot of catching up to do on the inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 (edited) Cheaper for a reason, remember it's an Aussie built vauxhall ! Go Korean..... ;-) We have a 2004 Kia Carnival and apart from its thirst it's good and my 2003 Hyundai Getz is a great little car. Go diesel if you can. Edited May 20, 2014 by Chardy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Cheaper for a reason, remember it's an Aussie built vauxhall !Go Korean..... ;-) We have a 2004 Kia Carnival and apart from its thirst it's good and my 2003 Hyundai Getz is a great little car. Go diesel if you can. Did you know Holden is now built in Korea! I was surprised but apparently it is. Kia have come a long way recently...I have to admit I used to hate them...fuel consumption is good; around 7L combined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I have a little Hyundai and have been very impressed with it. Very reliable, great on fuel and a very decent drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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