[luella]

Hi Colin and i r looking 2 move to NZ we have never been but think it will be a much better way off life for us and for our kids. However my eldest daughter is 14 and just about to start yr 10 in Uk, she has chosen all of her options for GCSE's i wondered if anyone else had moved there child at this age and how
it worked out for them educationally and socially.
Chrissie and Colin from Kent

[holland]

Hi Chrissie and Colin,

I dont have any children, but wanted to welcome you both to the forum. Although I don't have children, I do work in education, and think year 10 is quite a critical time in a childs education...could you not start the process and maybe wait until after GCSE's, or are you keen to go asap. I am sure there will be other people in your position who can offer advice from direct experience.

Good Luck

J x

[Bruckner]

Can't help there as my two aren't in school yet but wanted to welcome you to the forum.

Emily

[masajebe]

Hi to you both,

We moved to NZ in June 07 with our 2 daughters aged 15 & 9. Our 15yo, had just about finished her first year of GCSE in the UK, she had taken one in English Lit, still waiting result. We decided to start her in year 10 here even though she is one of the older ones, it meant she could have 6 months to adjust to the school and also to rechoose her options for her NCEA beginning in Year 11. So far things seem to be going well for her, she has managed to settle well and has already formed a friendship group. She has found the girls to be more age appropriate in NZ and they dont want to grow up too fast unlike it seem to be in the UK. Hope this is of some help to you

Sally

[Zeeta]

Welcome to the forum.

However my eldest daughter is 14 and just about to start yr 10 in Uk, she has chosen all of her options for GCSE's

What does she think about the move?

We're moving in November; my eldest is 13, he thinks moving is superbly exciting and doesn't mind switching schools and switching lifestyles at all.
If your daughter is in the same shoe, probably there's nothing to worry about.

[luella]

Hi to you both,

We moved to NZ in June 07 with our 2 daughters aged 15 & 9. Our 15yo, had just about finished her first year of GCSE in the UK, she had taken one in English Lit, still waiting result. We decided to start her in year 10 here even though she is one of the older ones, it meant she could have 6 months to adjust to the school and also to rechoose her options for her NCEA beginning in Year 11. So far things seem to be going well for her, she has managed to settle well and has already formed a friendship group. She has found the girls to be more age appropriate in NZ and they dont want to grow up too fast unlike it seem to be in the UK. Hope this is of some help to you

Sally
Hi Sally thank you for your very helpful comments, it has put my mind more at ease. Our 14 year old is one of the younger yr9's as her b'day is end of June.
She always had more friends in the yr below throughout primary and has still got younger friends as i think that some of her own yr group are much more
forward in certain ways then she is, so this is quite heartening.

[luella]

Hi Chrissie and Colin,

I dont have any children, but wanted to welcome you both to the forum. Although I don't have children, I do work in education, and think year 10 is quite a critical time in a childs education...could you not start the process and maybe wait until after GCSE's, or are you keen to go asap. I am sure there will be other people in your position who can offer advice from direct experience.

Good Luck

J x

Hi thanks for your comment. Yes we have thought about waiting until she has completed her GCSE'S but have had to apply now due to Colin hitting the age when you loose points. However if we do get accepted i am hoping that we have a while before we have to make the move or that colin can go over on his own for a while

[LesleyS]

Hi Luella and Colin

We are similar to you, in that we are taking our 15 year old daughter in October this year. She has just completed Year 10 and her first year GCSE's in the UK.

The timing isn't great for us either, but we have been reassured by staff at her present school, and NZ schools that this won't neccessarily be a huge problem for her.

Because of the way the school year works, she will join year 10 in their final term, and hopefully move up to year 11 in the new school year.

There's still a lot to consider - subjects to choose and curriculum's to adjust to, but it's not the end of the world 'educationally' to make changes in our opinion.

It's a challenge, but with the right support from home and school we are prepared to give it a go.

I'll let you know how we go on if you like?

Kindest regards
LesleyS

[LesleyS]

Sorry Chrissie, I called you Luella..... :o

Just call it a 'Senior Moment' :laugh



LesleyS

[luella]

Hi Luella and Colin

We are similar to you, in that we are taking our 15 year old daughter in October this year. She has just completed Year 10 and her first year GCSE's in the UK.

The timing isn't great for us either, but we have been reassured by staff at her present school, and NZ schools that this won't neccessarily be a huge problem for her.

Because of the way the school year works, she will join year 10 in their final term, and hopefully move up to year 11 in the new school year.

There's still a lot to consider - subjects to choose and curriculum's to adjust to, but it's not the end of the world 'educationally' to make changes in our opinion.

It's a challenge, but with the right support from home and school we are prepared to give it a go.

I'll let you know how we go on if you like?

Kindest regards
LesleyS
Hi it would be great if you can let us know how your daughter gets on, good luck with the move.
Chrissie