That's my boy!!

H is in his last year of Primary School, and although our local High School is very highly regarded, he has had his heart set on going to a Catholic Cathedral College in the heart of the city.  DH's sister teaches there, and she has been telling me for years that she thinks that H would be extremely happy there.  He's an extremely sensitive and anxious child, and has suffered the tougher kids' taunts for years at school.  He's also the kind of kid who befriends younger kids and less popular kids JUST because he sees that they're lonely.  He'll stand up for perceived social injustices and will "tell tales" when he sees bullying in the playground.  He's just never going to be comfortable in a large and bullying environment.



Although the Catholic school has a wonderful reputation, I haven't been too sure about it for a couple of major reasons.

1. You really have to be Catholic to go there.  Or at least of some recognisable faith.  H isn't even christened.

2. It's an incredibly popular school and has a reputation for being terribly difficult to get into it.  Even MORE so if ...... see # 1.

3. It costs money.  And I certainly can't afford it.... not just fees but expensive uniforms and equipment, extracurricular activities etc...

Entry is by interview only.  Our interview was today.

My shy and anxious son SHONE.  Without prompting and without obvious nerves (even though this was REALLY important to him) he answered questions clearly and sensibly.  He expanded on his answers and he focussed on being honest rather than trying to impress.

And at the end of the interview, the Headmaster explained to him that he has to interview all of the Catholic applicants first, and then, if there are any spaces left over, he would consider the non-Catholic applicants.  He then told H that he was SO impressed with him, that he was just the kind of boy that he likes to have at the school (and listed qualities that were accurate and insightful), that he would therefore be sending me a letter in the next couple of weeks offering H a place at the school!

I had tears in my eyes.  I just feel that H would be lost in the local High School... and that this nurturing little college will be a place for him to "find his feet".  And I was SO impressed with the Headmaster.  He really interviewed well, and it was his skills that enabled H to be so open and articulate.

Things might be looking up.

Oh, and DH will HAVE to pay the fees.... his sister's reputation will be on the line!!