Gwendolyn's first day of school, we think ...

Gwendolyn started school last Thursday at Harrowbarrow Primary School in the village. She looked sharp in her uniform,

and was very brave when we left her in the classroom. When the head teacher, Mr Hunt, asked if anyone in the class would be a special friend for Gwendolyn to get her used to the school, nearly everyone in the class raised their hand.

We all picked up Gwendolyn from school at the end of the day. Here are Christine and Rebecca outside our village shop/post office,

the left turn onto School Road,

and the return home on School Road.

You may be wondering: why isn't Rebecca wearing a smart uniform like Gwendolyn? Is that why she appears to be celebrating in the picture above? Extra winter vacation? But no, we aren't in Boone, and kids actually attend school in winter in Cornwall. Rebecca, unfortunately, was unable to begin school at the same time as Gwendolyn because of a lack of space. In England, you don't necessarily go to the school in the 'catchment' in which you live. There may be extenuating circumstances that may keep you out. In Rebecca's case, the Cornwall Council determined that the number of students in Year 4 is at its limit. We appealed this decision and had a hearing today. I have to say that it was a great experience. There was a clerk who met with us to describe the process (and take our drink orders!), a representative of the Cornwall Council to present the County's case, and an Arbitration Panel to hear the case and make the final decision. The Chairman of the panel, Mr Willson, was extremely cordial to us. We passed him in the hallway before the meeting and he apologized to us that he couldn't come and speak with us because he had to remain impartial. We both felt as if he was watching out for us. The panel also consisted of a woman, Mrs Madge, who was an experienced teacher, and a lay member, Mr Dicken. The item that triggered the most response from the panel was a map showing the position of our house, Harrowbarrow Primary School, and two alternative schools that the girls could potentially attend. Our house is so close to the village school that it seemed to us that the decision to keep Rebecca out made no sense to them. Christine did a great job presenting our case (her interpersonal communication skills were in high gear), and Rebecca even was able to say a few things in support of herself. We should know tomorrow or Saturday the decision of the panel, and Rebecca will be at school beginning on Monday. Gwendolyn will have to attend the same school as Rebecca for logistical reasons, hence the name of this post. No matter the outcome, we feel as if we have been treated fairly by the process.

Many of you know how Rebecca loves school. When she's not at school, she's playing school. It has been particularly difficult for her to see Gwendolyn go to school each day while she has to hang out with us. She has been quite mature about it, however, and we're proud of her. Here are Rebecca and Gwendolyn after the first day of school.

We'll let you know the outcome in our next post, which will include pictures of the inside of our cottage.  Thanks for your interest and support.