WHAT HAPPENS TO STUDENTS AFTER KINMA?

SOME STORIES

Some past students and parents have written to us about their own or their children's experiences at Kinma, and their achievements since leaving the school. Here are some of their accounts:

* A student who graduated from Kinma at the end of 1993 had this to say about his time at the school:

No other school could give me what I have now from Kinma. To me, Kinma is not just a place to work, but a place to cooperate, learn, play and to understand. Rather than just a sheet being handed to you and told to do it without knowing what to do, at Kinma the teacher does what she can to explain it to you. You get more creative work rather than just lectures, arithmetic. Rather than having a question which has one answer, you get questions for which resolutions vary from person to person.

As a general thing at Kinma, children try to resolve their fights or arguments between each other or with a friend. It's more creative for the kids to try to work out their own problems.

* Dawn, a parent whose two sons attended Kinma preschool and primary school, wrote about her sons' experiences moving back to England and attending an English public school:

When we left Australia in July this year we promised to report back on how our two children, Jack and Ollie coped in moving to an English public school. The school both boys now attend is a (public) village school of 150 kids divided into year groups with one multi age class at year 4/5. In the English system it is considered a good school and following its OFSTED inspection, last year it was listed as one of the national  “outstanding” schools.

Our oldest son, Jack started at Kinma Pre school when he was three. He went on to Kinma Primary in February 2006 and had completed one full school year and a term before we moved. Jack moved straight into “year three” in England. His English contemporaries (because of differences in the school year and the earlier school start dates) had completed two full school years with a school day of 8.50am (prompt!)-3.30pm. They were used to taking home books to read every night and having homework and spelling tests, weekly.

This is what we were told at Jack’s teacher/parent interview:

Reading - can pick up any book and reads fluently and with enjoyment.

Numeracy - way ahead- always gets the answer first and has been christened class “maths whiz kid”.

Writing - messy writing (now improved) but composition is way ahead of his age.

General knowledge - “outstanding”.

Socially - Jack has a wide group of friends and even received a certificate from his teacher for being “the most well mannered, polite and thoughtful child I have ever taught”.

OK at this point you may be thinking that Jack is a prodigy or I am a very boastful mother. I spent a lot of time in the classroom at Kinma and I can assure you that Jack did not stand out - he was not the best reader in his class, nor did his maths abilities or general knowledge or social skills single him out - he was a star among many stars.

Our other son, Ollie, really got the short straw. He was at Kinma Pre school from age 3 to just one month before his fifth birthday. A combination of his date of birth and the fact that the English system does not allow parents to “hold back” children meant that at age 5 and one month he bypassed Kindy and went straight into “year one” at his English school. Ollie was a shy child and as parents we were very concerned how he would cope.

In fact he has coped amazingly well. For the first 3 days Ollie cried when we left but –amazingly- he was able to explain to me that because he had got over being upset when I left at Pre school, he knew he would be alright but that he just couldn’t stop the feeling when Dave and I left. On the fourth day he said he was now OK and wouldn’t cry when we left again - and he hasn’t.

At Ollie’s parent interview his teacher told us that she had never had a child who hadn’t been to school before, adapt so well, so quickly. Academically we have had to put in a lot of work “behind the scenes” as obviously Ollie had not started school in Australia. However the pre School had already given him a love of learning and a curiosity that has enabled him to catch up quickly – without us having to do anything other than follow his interests.

Before we left Kinma, Ollie’s teachers at Pre school had worked hard to help him overcome his shyness in speaking to adults by gently introducing him into group discussions and so on. This has stood him in good stead and he is able to put up his hand and answer questions with confidence. His confidence has also been boosted by the fact that he has managed to make friends with many of the older boys in Jack’s class and is liked and accepted by them.

So the message as far as we are concerned is that Kinma works. Have confidence - you have a FABULOUS school.

* One parent, whose two daughters have now completed high school after going to Kinma, and whose son is still at Kinma, said:

My oldest child completed her high school education at a private Catholic school. She was in a group of six students from her class at Kinma who each achieved a score over 90 in the UAI when they completed their HSC. She then went on to do psychology at the University of Sydney. She has completed two years of her degree, and is currently taking time off to travel overseas. My second child has just completed her HSC at the same high school and is still thinking about what she wants to do. Both girls adjusted easily to high school. They had to "learn to play the game of high school" and adapt to the rules and regulations, but this was not difficult. They weren't intimidated by the teachers, weren't afraid to ask questions and engaged easily in group work (something their teachers commented on favourably).

* Rosie writes of her three children, all of whom attended Kinma:

Ben is 22 years old. He has travelled Europe extensively and visited New York for work twice. Is currently walking in the Himalayas after one month of yoga studies in India. In February 2004 Ben will return to the University of NSW to complete his psychology degree - he is halfway through it. Ben also models and works with autistic children.

Dan is 20. Having travelled alone in Europe after finishing school he is now studying environmental science at the Catholic University, North Sydney.

Em is 12 years old. She is at Killara High School and sings, dances and plays the piano.

* Antra, an ex-student, listed what she had done since leaving Kinma in 1990:

St Ives High School (State, Co-ed), 1991-1996

Thoroughly enjoyed the academic life of high school. With a Kinma-infused love of learning, I enjoyed the wide variety of subjects (with English being a consistent favourite). Within the top ten students in the year throughout high school.

Some adjustment required regarding the "politics" of the high school social fabric. At Kinma, we had roughly only 10 students in the year 6 class, which meant there was little, if any, opportunity for "cliques" to develop. At high school, I was suddenly faced with the concept of the "cool group", the "nerds", the "Christians" etc. Not to mention, the immediate onslaught of the terrifying concept of "Boyfriend/Girlfriend"!

Macquarie University, Sydney

Began a degree in Media & Communication. Graduated with a BA in English Literature and Linguistics.

Macleay College, Sydney

Gained a Diploma of Editing and Publishing during my final year at Macquarie.

Leading Edge Education, Sydney

First full-time job out of University was at a small educational publisher, which I joined with a view to becoming an editor. Ended up diverting to my artistic side and became involved in the typesetting/graphic design side of the business, eventually becoming responsible for the production of all the titles on the publishing list.

SBS, Sydney

After the obligatory trip to Europe, I was lucky enough to stumble upon an opening at SBS, in the Language Services department. Am currently involved in project management and graphic design for clients looking to reversion material into other languages.

* Parent Linlee writes:

My three kids often-ish talk of Kinma and with fond memories. More fond, actually, the longer they have been away from Kinma and appreciate more that Kinma was different from what their uni friends experienced at their primary schools. Especially in the 'learn to think for yourself' way.

Mione, 21, is nearly finished her Bachelor of Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. She went to high school at Freshwater High and then for years 11 and 12 to Manly Selective High.

Lena, 19, is doing a Bachelor of Arts, also at the University of Sydney. She went to the same high schools as her sister.

Jess, 15, is at Mosman High School, and thinks the best thing about Kinma was the amazing cubbies they built and unbuilt and built again, and the billygo carts they made.

* Ex-student Melanie writes:

I went to Kinma from Kindergarten to Year 6 (1981-88).

High School

After Kinma I went to Davidson High School (1989-94), a public high school, where I participated in music and sport. I had no problems forming friendships and found it easy to integrate.

Funnily enough, all the teachers told me in Year 10 that it was too hard to teach that many children batik. That was of course until I showed them the pillows I had made at age 7 at Kinma. They seemed quite surprised. Kinma gave me the opportunity to experience many different things - it seems kids can never be taught enough, or given enough responsibility at a young age.

From 4 to 18 years I learnt violin, and whilst at Davidson did triathalons and cross country running, debating, some public speaking, dance, orchestra, taught violin, and did all my normal classes. I did not excel at my HSC - however, I almost topped the state in music. I believe that Kinma had some influence on my music.

After School

When I finished high school I went on student exchange to Sweden for 12 months, travelled around Europe, learnt Swedish (which I can still now speak fluently 8 years later) and made many friends.

University

Upon my return I got into university at Charles Sturt University, Mitchell Campus and spent the next 4 years (1996 - 1999) living in Bathurst whilst completing a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Movement) majoring in Sports Media and also did a Grad. Dip Ed. (PD/H/PE).

Work

Since leaving university I have chosen not to be a teacher, but love organising. Firstly I worked for the Academy of Sport casually (had there been permanent work, I would have stayed). I then worked as a receptionist for a short 5 months and disliked every minute of it, as I felt unchallenged. Against my initial thoughts on working in the financial industry, I accepted a position supporting financial advisers in a dealership for MLC and stayed for 18 months. I am now working as a team coordinator on a good salary (helping do presentations, invoices, organising workshops around Australia) and have been in this role for 20 months.

I also fitted in 5 week trip overseas in 2002.

Now

I have enrolled at TAFE to do a Graduate Certificate in Marketing and will start heading towards corporate events, and am hoping over the next 3-5 years to head my career into corporate events. Soon to be 28 years old, I now find myself living with two flatmates in Waverton (thankfully living in a beautiful house, albeit renting), studying again, setting achievable goals, and would love to go backpacking around the world for 4 months if someone will go with me.

What attributes did Kinma teach me?

- learning to relate to many different kinds of people

- a large curiosity

- I am punctual (probably due to having no school bell so I had to learn to be aware of times)

- I love arts and music

- I have way too many friends and mum says I am a social butterfly

And finally: Would I send my own child to Kinma ....?

Of course, without a doubt.

Copyright © 2008 Kinma