Garden International School

On Monday, the Garden International School hosted a new family orientation. I'll be honest, I was nervous. Our admissions process didn't go completely smoothly (lost paperwork, delayed acceptance, admissions staff changes) and then the school provided little communication after our arrival ("No we can't give you contact information for children in your children's class. They are all away on holiday." - really? 140 kindergartners and every one is on holiday?) That's right, the school's enrollment is huge. There are seven classes per grade... with a seemingly small physical plant. Despite my anxiety, I'm happy to report a very successful orientation day. It was very well organized (no waiting in line!) and informative for the kids and parents. I was able to purchase library bags, sign Violet up for piano, collect IDs, and sign up for gate passes all while the kids met their teachers and the other new students. Breakfast and coffee were also yummy as they were provided by the school's new caterer. The school's cafeteria was renovated this summer and our favorite grocery store here, Ben's Independent Grocer, (think Whole Foods with more Asian products) is now providing all the school food.

For our last dinner before the start of school, Violet wanted... steak. Las Vacas down the road in Mont Kiara hit the spot. And there was even salmon for Tyler.

So after the longest summer break ever, the kids returned to school on Tuesday. Since it's a British-based curriculum, Year 3 is equivalent to 2nd grade and Year 1 has the same aged children as U.S. kindergarten. Tyler is in 1S with Miss Vanila. Violet's in Miss Nicki's class in 3G. Both teachers seem wonderful and the kids are happy. The classroom spaces were renovated a few years back and are beautiful and cool (I mean temperature - big deal here in the tropics) with large windows to the outdoors and into the covered but open air corridors. 

View of the Year 1 pod from Violet's classroom on the third floor.

Can you see Violet? Right up front with the blond ponytail.

Violet's first "IPC" (integrated primary curriculum - it's history, science, writing, literature etc. all around one topic)
is "Do You Live Around Here?" (View into Violet's class from the corridor windows.)

Entrance area of the library. Reminds me of Park's Lower School library. Lots of reading nooks.

Cafeteria. Note that in addition to burgers, hotdogs, and pizza, there is fish ball noodle soup and chick chop.

Tyler and his friend (Year 4 at Garden) that lives upstairs enjoyed playing after school. 

So after a good first week at school, we've reached Friday. As Monday is Malaysia Day, today at school is "Malaysia Day Dress Up". (At orientation we learned that the lower school loves to dress up!) As new comers to Malaysia, I needed to buy some outfits! I shopped a bit in some of our usual stores for Malay attire, only to learn that it's a challenge to find Malay-style after Hari Raya. (It was EVERYWHERE a month ago.) So a very kind mum in Violet's class advised that we buy Indian attire instead. Plus then we can wear it again for another holiday in November. So yesterday I went to Brickfields Little India to find Indian outfits. This is a colorful part of town with interesting history. While this trip was mission driven and fairly short, I'd like to go back again soon and explore more. I settled on a nice shop along the main road. From there the shop keeper took me under his wing. He must have pulled out 40 outfits before I found the ones I wanted. ("For the boy, more simple. More simple. Too heavy. No, no pink.") The kids seemed pleased with the selections. Tyler looked so, so sweet and Ms. Vanila said "Tyler! You look like an Indian prince!"

Tyler and Ms. Vanila

The other big event today was the Year 3 and Year 4 inter-house cross county 1k race. The kids in Garden International School are sorted into four houses. Yes, British prep school based, but we just think it's like Hogwarts. (Brian keeps asking the kids, "Are you sure you're not in Slytherin?") Violet and Tyler were sorted into Queen (sorry, no sorting hat, just random). They wear dark blue. As Violet reported to me, the race is a really big deal. Everyone who finishes gets a point for their house. The top 10 runners get medals. The top 5 continue to an international school competition in October. And the first place runner earns 100 points for her house. Yep - seems like this is not an "everyone gets a medal" type of school.

The students ran in waves, first the Year 4 boys, then the Year 4 girls. Then the Year 3 boys, and then the Year 3 girls. Not to hold you in suspense for too long (and since you probably already saw my Facebook post)... Violet rocked the race and came in #1 in the Year 3 girls race. The first thing she said to me after the race was "Mom! I'm so excited. I get to represent my school at the race in October!" Then she said, "I just didn't know I could run so fast for so long. It felt good." I'm so proud of her. Such a great way to introduce herself to a new school!

Queen house waiting for the start.

Moving up to the starting line.

Coming around the first turn. Then she goes up a hill and around a corner.
The PE teachers told me that at the pace she was running she might tucker out going up the hill.

But not at all. Coming down the hill there were no other races in view.

I missed getting a picture at the finish. I couldn't get around the corner and back to the
starting line in time. But I was there to give her a big hug!  Here's Violet after the race with her friend L.

Getting her #1st place medal.

Top 10 Year 3 Girls

For the Malaysia Day long weekend we are heading to Belitung Island in Indonesia. Looking forward to reporting on our trip when we return. Until then, lots of love! - Mary, Brian, Violet, and Tyler