My First Year: Choosing the right school for prep

Preps have had one tough start to their first year of schooling. But it has allowed school communities to connect in ways they never have before.

PREP students in 2020 have had an unprecedented start to their first year of schooling.

But online learning has allowed school communities to connect in ways they never have before, highlighting the importance of choosing the right school for your child’s formative years.

For parents of Somerset College preppies Finn Mason and Sean Pazaratz, the decision to choose the independent Mudgeeraba private school was an easy one.

Finn’s mum Jana Mason said Somerset had always been her number one choice.

“It was our dream school for years and that dream came true,” she said.

“It is very much a community and all the parents get together and have coffee after the drop off and socialise. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”

MY FIRST YEAR: GOLD COAST PREP STUDENTS

Somerset Prep kids (L-R) Finn Mason Sean Pazaratz and Marlin Marino having fun at Somerset Prep playground. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

She said the switch to remote learning was a smooth transition but acknowledged many other parents struggled with it.

“I have really enjoyed having him home to be honest, it’s been great to actually be able to see where he is at in his learning.

“It definitely makes you appreciate what hard work the teachers put into it.”

Jennifer Pazaratz, mother of six-year-old Sean moved her family to the Gold Coast from Canada 10 years ago and said there were ways to ensure a smooth transition from kindy to prep.

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She said parents should take advantage of orientation days to ease their children in before the first day.

“Become familiar with the grounds, meet the teachers, introduce them to some other kids in their class before they start,” she said.

“That way, they will recognise a familiar face on their first day and it won’t seem so daunting.”

Mrs Pazaratz said her son Sean was glad to return to school to see his friends following the few weeks of at-home learning.

“It was a bit of a struggle to keep him focused at home as he just wanted to go and play, but a lot of the activities are play based learning anyway and we were given a lot of stuff online.

“The school went above and beyond to facilitate the online component and it was brilliant.”