On Tuesday we visited the children's schools, German European School Singapore, it has two German and two English speaking classes at each level. Jonas, Michael and Esther will go to the same school, but to two different campuses: The kindy and high school campus (from Y6 upwards) which Jonas will attend, is 2 km North from where we live. However, the Y1-Y5 campus which Esther and Michael will be visiting, is 20 min West by bus from us. So Michael and Esther will be able to comfortably take the bus from almost in front of our condominium and alight (the official Singaporean word for getting off) in front of their school without transfers and it only costs 0.73 cents one way. They can use 4 different buses, which all leave very regularly, no long waiting times. Jonas will most likely take his bike. The way is mostly flat, just at the end it goes a bit uphill.The primary school campus is very new, the school only moved there 2 years ago. The children love the libraries at both schools, I guess the children will be very frequent visitors there.
Jonas' class will be 10a, this year they have started with Spanish, so Jonas has a bit catch up to do. There are 16 students in his class, most of them native German speakers, we heard a lot of German being spoken while we walked around the school.
There is a canteen there too, and the children have the choice between three (high school campus) and two (primary school campus) main meals, one is Western, one Eastern and one Vegetarian. The children have a student ID card which can be used as "credit card" at the school canteen, which is open all the time.
The school uniform is green t-shirt and black short/pants/shirt as the formal uniform and white t-shirt with the school logo printed on and black sport shorts. Hat, bag and shoes are up to each person's liking, Australian schools are much stricter. German schools normally have no uniform at all, so for those expats it's quite a change and therefore the school is a bit more lenient. We'll have to come back next week to buy the uniforms, books and stationary, there was no time today.
All in all the school reminded Karsten and Katrin a lot of their own schooling, it's somehow very German, especially looking at the text books. Most of the staff is from Germany. Hopefully the children will come back to Australia with much improved German and maybe a better Mandarin too. But that is not taught at school, rather everyday life, maybe a tutor would be a good idea.
Wednesday was another exciting day: Our sea freight arrived. Finally Esther has her own bed again. Lots of Lego came as well. We have now all the baby stuff here (pram, baby capsule and cot). Esther is also very glad to have Katrin's sewing machine for all those projects. Some books were unpacked. Most unpacking happened on Wednesday and Thursday. Now there are lots of boxes for more nests or other buildings. Two boxes serve as makeshift book shelves:
On Thursday we went to the library again, all by bus. Since the library is in a mall (Clementi Mall) we also stocked up on groceries, a bit more than we could comfortable carry on the bus. It had started to rain, too, so we waited at the taxi stand for a little while only. Instead of cramping everybody in one taxi, the older three and Noah went by taxi and Katrin, David and Yannic took the bus back home. They arrived only 15 minutes after the taxi. At first it was a scary thought to leave Jonas, Michael, Esther and Noah in the taxi all by themselves, but Singapore is very safe and Jonas knows where to go.
After a busy start to the week, the remainder was stay at home and enjoy the pool and the new-old toys.
Katrin started to browse through the online shopping of the two supermarkets close by. Delivery costs are $7 and if she goes by herself and takes a taxi back it costs almost as much. Most of the grocery items are available online, but although one doesn't get to choose the items, the quality is fine. Usually if ordered before lunch, delivery is made the next afternoon (between 2pm and 6pm) or evening (between 6pm and 9pm). And since it is being carried right into the kitchen it's very convenient.
Back home in Australia school has wrapped up for the year, so the children are now officially on holidays ;-)
Saturday we stayed home assembling Esther's bed and the cot. Esther made cupcakes and did some more sewing, she is very industrious.
Go Esther. Nadine would love to be cooking and sewing with you. I remember the excitement of sea freight arriving. You are sorting everything out so well. Miss you all.
ReplyDeleteThis is fun to read EEngilsh. Reminds of me doing the same. Thanks for sharing.
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