Kendra

Overview

Kendra is my first child. She was born in September, 1995 in Canada and is now 8 1/2. She is absolutely typically developing, bright and happy. She enjoys her little sister, school, friends, and producing copious quantities of art and stories. Kendra started a new school in September.

Events

Birthday, September 12

First was Kendra's birthday party. On her actual birthday, September 12, Ian's parents came for dinner. The next day we had a proper birthday party with 8 guests. The theme was "Circus" because Kendra took a circus skills workshop every week through the summer. Our friend, Lindsey, who is Antonia's godmother, came up from London to provide entertainment. She is a children's librarian and an excellent storyteller. The children played games, played with circus equipment such as spinning plates, dressed up as clowns, had their faces painted, listened to stories, and ate clown cake. The party was a great success. Kendra's favourite gift was a "BopIt Extreme 2" which she got from her parents.

Updates

October 17, 2003

School

If asked, Kendra will still say she'd rather be at her old school. However, she has settled in very nicely where she is. Her class recently did a special assembly for the school in which Kendra was a "German schoolchild". She counted to 10 flawlessly in German in front of the assembled pupils and parents and was applauded. Her German grandma (Ian's mother) would have been proud.

Challenge Group

She's been identified as a more able pupil and is included in the "Challenge Group" in her class. This means she receives a piece of more challenging homework to do over the course of a week. I don't know if there is anything else done with the group in class. It is very hard at times for Kendra to deal with any challenge because she is frustrated easily. But she is quickly learning that sticking with it and working something out for herself is very rewarding.

After School Clubs

Kendra participates in Drama Club and Challenge Club after school.

Other Activities

She also started Brownies this year which she attends weekly. She seems to be enjoying that as well.Ballet continues on Saturdays as it has for the past 6 months.

Teeth

At long last Kendra has lost her 2 front teeth.

August 6, 2003

Kendra is less pleased about the new school. She doesn't really want to move. But the school she has been going to for the last year and a bit is not very good and is really struggling (and failing) to meet government standards. They don't have the extra energy and resources to focus on the children who are guaranteed to do well enough without extra attention when they're busy trying to bring the bottom ones up to an acceptable level.

The new school is a Church of England school, associated with the church we attend. It was supposed to be filled up, but as we attend the church, Kendra must have been top on the list for any spaces. The church school is not exceptional, but it has far more extracurricular activities and is very good with high achievers. The affiliation with our church is good because it means we have established social contacts and a smoother entry into the school's social life - something we have struggled with up to now.

The new school is only about 200 metres from the old school, so there will be no problem with her attending Brownies and maintaining some of her closest frienships from the old school. The fact that we are moving house is more likely to interfere with that than moving schools.

July 17, 2003

Kendra, my 7 year old, will be going to a new school next year. We checked it out yesterday and are very pleased.