There are natural transitions in life. Expected changes that you have prepared yourself for years ahead of time. Changes that ebb and flow and you can ease into like a well worn pair of jeans. And when they come: you are ready. Being the planner that I am, I have mapped out the key chapters of my life and I embrace change when it is forewarned and productive. When life however, does not go as planned, there is part of me that panics, digs in my heels and needs time to process what exactly is going on. Spontaneity is not a regular part of my life and everyday follows the same basic routine.
Cambridge, however was not a planned chapter. And while I am completely okay with carrying out “the plan” under different circumstances, like with a unexpected twist like, say, oh, I don’t know….. Down Syndrome or on a different continent there are definitely other areas of the plan that are affected by such changes. For example, my financial strategy is faced with major issues as we sacrifice income for a year while dishing out tens of thousands of dollars which otherwise would have been pour into home equity and instead we will put towards yet another piece of paper saying that we completed something. On the other hand, my husband, will increase his earning potential for the years to come and my children and I will have a once in a life time cultural experience that we otherwise would not have dreamed of.
But in reality, the life that I had pictured in Cambridge was similar to the life we lead here in Three Hills, but far less hectic and far more filled with historical, cultural and visual inspiration. I thought about spending our days, just the kids and I, wandering the streets of Cambridge, stopping at the market, having picnics and taking photographs. I thought about having nothing pushing us out the door except our own drive and no responsibility aside from making sure our basic needs were met.
You see here in Canada, Jakob is not scheduled to start school until next year when he will be five so I saw our move to Cambridge as perfectly timed. I missed the fact however, that in England children start school the September after their FOURTH birthday! It is not mandatory for them to start until they are 5 but is definitely more common to start earlier rather than later. So I began exploring the idea of school. Not only practically but the thought of sending my little boy into the care of another for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Something I was quite looking forward to in a year or two (depending on which province you live in) but was not expecting to do this year.
He went to preschool this past year and loved it but it was only two mornings a week. Jakob is very bright and thrives when he is learning, exploring and socializing so the truth is, I am not really worried about him. He never complained about going to school and I would hope that if he went everyday, he would feel the same way.
It is more I, that I am worried about. It is a huge transition and an unexpected one. One that robs us of the liberty to come and go as we please. It will mean that there will only certain times when I will get to experience Cambridge with Jakob and I will have to carefully plan out activities that are on our “must do” list. Not only that but I will not have the company of my favourite little boy (sous chef and helper) for a good portion of my day and Ella will be without her playmate and best friend.
The decision to send Jakob to school carries much weight and one worthy of of proper research and consideration. At first there was much frustration and disappointment when school after school turned up full with lengthy wait lists. If I was going to send Jakob to Reception, I did not want to have to cart him half way across the city on foot….in the rain. I would also have to wait until we lived in Cambridge to even apply for a state schools (public school).
When we were looking for accommodation however, I came across a school called Sancton Wood. The small plaque gave name to an old English Mansion covered in foliage. Desperate for the option, I immediately googled the name and found out that this small independent (private) school was founded 1976 on the principals of inclusion, equal opportunity and academic excellence. The school prides itself in its family atmosphere, the social and emotional development of their students with classes of only 15 students as opposed to the normal 30. The school calendar shows a broad curriculum with and lots of outings.
Our place is yet to be confirmed however they do have one space left in Reception and I am excited about the possibilities. I think this would be a great opportunity for Jakob and would add to his England experience exponentially. It was would be a wonderful way to get socially integrated and see the city of Cambridge as well as the surrounding area. Sancton Wood has received excellent reviews and when I asked our potential landlord about her thoughts on the school (she works in the Faculty of Education at the University and is part of the Primary Review) she said that she sent her own children there. Her oldest son had a a speech problem and because of the school’s excellent program with a focus on inclusion she enrolled him and he went on to graduate with top grades. Her youngest daughter still attends and is in year 4.
Unexpected change can be hard to adjust to but sometimes it also creates unexpected outcomes that are better than we could have planned for. I am hoping this is the case.
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