Interview with the Headmistress
You wouldn't believe the change in Catrin since we talked about the problem she has with this teacher and told her that we would tackle it. Last night she slept well, rose at an appropriate time and went to school as happy as Larry. (Poor Larry - he had a bad night)
Gwilym helped us to plan our approach. There are two groups for this subject, and two different teachers. Catrin can just change groups, and they go at roughly the same time and so on in a relay. Catrin was concerned that the teachers would want to discuss it with her, though.
So I wrote a letter and printed it four times, one for each subject teacher, one for her form teacher and one for the head. It said
"This morning I asked the headteacher to change Catrin's group for this subject immediately.
I am sure that you will understand the impossibility of discussing this with Catrin. It is not her decision. It is mine.
If you would like to discuss it, then it is with the headteacher or with me that you should do so.
Thank you for your understanding which is so kind."
It's a bit brusque, but I didn't want to waste time on "how's your father?" and all that. Also the less you say the less chance of being misunderstood!
Anyway, I saw the Head and it all went fine. She doesn't speak any English, but thankfully she is one of the few people who understands me when I speak in French!
They have come to the conclsuion that they have mishandled Catrin's time at the school, worrying too much about her learning the language, and not enough about her settling down and making friends. So they plan to move her into her own age-group after the school holidays.
Good. So there we are.
Thank you all for praying, and we are so thankful that a week that started dismally has ended full of hope!
(Well except for the exam results which are due out next Friday!)
Gwilym helped us to plan our approach. There are two groups for this subject, and two different teachers. Catrin can just change groups, and they go at roughly the same time and so on in a relay. Catrin was concerned that the teachers would want to discuss it with her, though.
So I wrote a letter and printed it four times, one for each subject teacher, one for her form teacher and one for the head. It said
"This morning I asked the headteacher to change Catrin's group for this subject immediately.
I am sure that you will understand the impossibility of discussing this with Catrin. It is not her decision. It is mine.
If you would like to discuss it, then it is with the headteacher or with me that you should do so.
Thank you for your understanding which is so kind."
It's a bit brusque, but I didn't want to waste time on "how's your father?" and all that. Also the less you say the less chance of being misunderstood!
Anyway, I saw the Head and it all went fine. She doesn't speak any English, but thankfully she is one of the few people who understands me when I speak in French!
They have come to the conclsuion that they have mishandled Catrin's time at the school, worrying too much about her learning the language, and not enough about her settling down and making friends. So they plan to move her into her own age-group after the school holidays.
Good. So there we are.
Thank you all for praying, and we are so thankful that a week that started dismally has ended full of hope!
(Well except for the exam results which are due out next Friday!)
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