Primary School Reports One Year On

When Miss O 2 and Mr O Jnr 2 got their reports at the end of 2011 they had been in Australian schools a mere two terms.  Reports received now, twelve months down the track, are more illuminating.  We were VERY pleased with their reports last year, but knew that this year would be more indicative of their progress in this new world.

As I published recently in Amnesty International Annual Report 2012, the literacy rate in Nigeria is reported to have dropped nearly 10% in four years.  I know when Mr O was reunited with our children he was concerned about their academic levels, but it wasn’t until we were all settled back in Australia that the real comparisons began for him.  Mr O has spent hours emphasising to the children that they must work on improving their English and catch up on other subjects.

Mr O was educated in Nigeria MANY years before our children: his English is also much better.

Miss O 2 has impressed lately with doing her homework projects by herself.  I remember her proudly telling me she understood the requirements of her last assignment all by herself!  We were very pleased.  Every day after school Miss O 2 has been working on her reading with Mr O. 

Today when the reports arrived home we were very pleased to see Miss O 2 got an EXCELLENT for effort!  We had always said to the children we didn’t expect miracle results while they adapted to a new country, new culture, new teaching methods and not having to share their chairs.  All we expected was that they worked hard.   Miss O 2 has clearly put in the effort.

Miss O 2 is the proud recipient of an unexpected pocket-money bonus  for her efforts.

Mr O Jnr 2 has excelled at sport and computers and is clearly making progress in all areas.  Of course, Mr O Jnr 2 is in a harder year – he is six months away from high school!  Plus there is that goal scoring in soccer ….  a bit distracting.

Mr O Jnr 2 is a very intelligent young man: we just need to channel that intelligence.  Soccer is great, but perhaps we need to spend a little more time on maths…… He is reading every night, of his own volition, which is extremely pleasing.

We are also well aware there is a big difference between Year 6 and Year 4. 

Mr O Jnr 2 rarely asks for help – he tries to be very self-sufficient, something for which I personally have a great deal of respect. 

Mr O is not yet back at school: while officially an apprentice, he does not start study until semester two.  Miss O 1 and Mr O Jnr 1 do not yet have reports, but we know they are working hard.

Mr O Jnr 1, bless his heart, tried to tell me that “Boys are different…”.  I know he wanted Mr O Jnr 2 to qualify for a bonus too, but the bonus criteria are the bonus criteria and Mr O Jnr 2 will have plenty of other opportunities!  He CERTAINLY has the ability!

I countered Mr O 1′s logic with, “What – are you saying GIRLS are better?”   At that point he gave up the debate!  Wise young man!  After all, he just got a bonus for a terrific grade on a geography assignment (his least favourite subject).

Each of these wonderful young people are special in their own way and each will make their mark.  The timing may vary: this time Miss O 2 excelled, next time it may be Mr O Jnr 2! 

Mr O is already excelling.  The children have a wonderful example in their father.

Immigrants work damn hard to help build this country.  The 2011 Census shows nearly a quarter of us came from somewhere else: where would Australia be without hardworking immigrants?