Monday was Ella's first day of school at St. Joseph's Catholic School in New Plymouth! Ella is in "Year 1". She has had a fantastic first week and is loving school. Because of the stong sun, the wide-brimmed cricket hat is a compulsory part of the school uniform and students are not allowed outside for recess without it. Some differences we're seeing between NZ and USA school so far: swimming lessons are part of the curriculum for all NZ elementary students, school is year round with "school holiday" breaks between each quarter, children start school as soon as they turn 5 regardless of what time of year it is. I'm sure there will be many more differences that we'll discover. Ella is signed up for junior cricket and starts practice next week!
Riding to school with little brother
Ella in her classroom
That's Ella on the far left. Her teacher is Ms. Hopkirk.
