Why an English School?
4 Replies
hi all, There is a lot of talk about the heritage school and how it is very good. I have also heard nothing but good reports about the state schools in Cyprus. we are moving to Cyprus in October and although my children are only 2 and 4 we have decided on state schooling come the time. my question is -what is the draw to an English school in Cyprus? I ask this genuinely as I naïvely think I must be missing something here. we are moving to embrace Cypriot life and enjoy the language and culture. However as a mum who doesn't yet speak the language I wanted to meet a few others like myself so it would ease the initial loneliness a bit. Will this be difficult if I say we are not going with an English speaking school? Stephanie my heart is in Cyprus
Replies
I think one of the biggest worries for immigrant families in Cyprus is the uncertainty of how long they will be actually living here so education at a paying English school is probably the best option if the parents can afford it. Although Cyprus seems a idyllic place actually living here and trying to make a living is totally different to what most people imagine it to be . There's quite a percentage of immigrants with young usually school age children who don't make it past the second year living in Cyprus and if the worst happens and the parents have to / want to return home at least the child / children haven't missed any schooling if they are put in a English school . To be honest there's no correct decision as nobody can tell what the future holds. As your children are so young they will soon be fluent in the Greek language ~ as for you meeting friends in a similar situation that depends on the area you live, how easily you make friends and whether you restrict your circle of friends to expats or expand it to make friends with Cypriots . Bill |
Hi Stephanie, I think with your children being so young you can afford to try out a local school and see how they get on. Expect a few tears at first though because unless they already know some Greek, it will be a bit confusing for them. I have seen 7 and 9 year old Dutch kids come to the Heritage and learn to speak English fluently from scratch in their first year, so there is no reason why your kids wouldn't pick up Greek very quickly too. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to make friends with Cypriots and English people outside of school and I think you may even integrate better than those of us who went for an English school. And of course, you'll have a lot more spending money! |
what goes around comes around...
Hello My daughter is two and we chose to start her at Heritage this September for several reasons. The first reason was simply that we know when she is older she will be sent to Heritage or Foley's for the higher standards of education, and opportunities that only a private institution can offer. We decided to go ahead and secure her place by starting her at Heritage from the beginning. I also visited a number of the nursery schools around town and in the end, Heritage had the cleanest facilities and the smallest class size and quite frankly is not THAT much more expensive per month. I also found from speaking to other mothers with their children already enrolled at Heritage that their children are not as sick as often as the children that go to local schools. Since Heritage is private the children tend to come from a more affluent home where there is most likely someone to stay home with a sick child and not have to go to work thereby sending a sick child to school. We are also a bilingual household and felt that adding a third language might cause more stress than necessary. For us we felt that the only disadvantage to not sending her to a local school was the lack of learning Greek. I don't think you are doing your children a disservice by not sending them a private school. You have to make the decision that is best for your family. When you have researched thoroughly, weighed your options, and made your decision than you have done everything you can to make yourself a great mum. At the end of the day your children are young and no matter where you enroll them they will thrive, because children are very flexible and unassuming. Best of Luck, Rebekah |
Hi all, thanks for your replies, it has given me a lot of food for thought. Initially i couldnt understand how people would pay out for schooling when arriving in a new country if it wasnt necessary...With the several things pointed out to me i realise that to some others it is the safest option. For us however, we wont be wanting to spend money in an area unless we feel it is absolutley needed. We are bringing enough with us to last up to a year but by then i think we will be in a better position to decide about schooling. As for the social thing I expect it is just up to me to try to integrate with as many peope as possible and have no fear! Needless to say i will be posting re:mum and tots groups etc! Thanks again Stephanie |
my heart is in Cyprus