Alexis had the opportunity to start school in Australia as a ‘Preppie’. The Prep year is the first year in school and most students are 5 years old. We enrolled Alexis into Torquay College, the local primary school within walking distance of our house. After we moved to Torquay, Alexis had six months before school started. We spent that time getting settled into our new life and meeting new friends. When Alexis started prep, she was ready and excited. There were no tears and she confidently walked into her classroom and got to work. Alexis met and made friends quickly and enjoyed her new teacher, Mr. Brown. It was definitely a much better experience than her first year at school in Canada!

Reid and I (especially Reid) missed Alexis everyday while she was at school but because we were at home, we had the opportunity to be involved in her school life as much as possible. I joined the Parent and Carer group, I volunteered in her classroom and read with the students, I went on excursions with her class-and when I say ‘I’, I actually mean Reid and I because we always come as a pair these days! We also joined in the special events that went on around the school.

Being awarded Student of the Week:

Be a character from a book day:

Olympics day (her class represented Canada!):

Preppie dance:

Diorama presentation day (it’s a butterfly):

Alexis’ class ran the weekly assembly this week:

Crazy hair day:

Prep athletics day (Alexis won the 50m dash!):

Choir performance at Carols by the Sea:

Last day of school and break up class party:

It has been an incredible year of excitement, learning and personal growth for Alexis. We have missed having her with us but I am so thrilled and excited to have watched her grow and become more confident in herself. She has gone from a little girl who would speak to no one, clinging to my leg to a young school girl who helps her classmates, volunteers to speak at assemblies, organizes games at recess time and enjoys being a leader amongst her peers. What an incredible priviledge for me to be able to be involved in her school life this year. What an amazing year she has had and wonderful experiences she has endured this year!