Prince Christian's First Day of Primary School: August 12, 2011

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by doric44

starting school in the middle of august yuk i feel bad for him ...oh they are nice pics ...
but someone really needs to tell denmark school should start in september ...after the summer

It's interesting to see when schools start in different countries. However, it's not unusual to see school start in August. I know in the US, some states start school as early as beginning of August. Perhaps it's the same in Denmark. All cities/provinces have their own school calendar which is able to satisfy the amount of days children need to be in school during the year. But I will agree; starting school before September is just strange.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by camelot23ca

One thing I'm curious about is whether Mary and Frederik pay taxes as members of the royal family?

They don't.

However they have been commended for sending their son to a public school, in contrast to a number of (socialist) politicians who have been actively advocating parents to send their children to public school, while sending their own children to private schools. - Something about double-standard n' stuff.

They have also been commended for sending Christian to a public school, because even though this is one of the best public schools in DK, and the children come from families, which can be considered higher middleclass and up, he (and so will M&F) will nevertheless get in contact with ordinary Danes. - Just as he did in the kindergarten.

Originally Posted by FasterB

Prins Christian fik festkamikker | Sermitsiaq.AG Nyheder

In contrast to DK, the first day in school is a festive and pretty formal affair in Greenland. Where parents, siblings and relatives celebrate the child and take them to school. The children as well as the parents are often dressed in the national costume. For the child perhaps a less elaborate and less expensive version of the costume, but still...
This is considered the first time a child is celebrated. In DK the child is usually at the center of a major celebration for the first time (apart from the baptism) at the confirmation.

The comments to the articles in Greenlandic papers are pretty pleased, as can be expected since this is the DRF in general and M&F's son in particular. The gifts are considered most appropriate. The comments also speculate as to whether Isabella will be given a Greenlandic costume for her first day at school.

The summer holiday in DK lasts six weeks. And start in late June and end in early August. On the other hand week #42, is the Autumn Holiday and there is a week of winter holiday in February. Apart from the holiday around Christmas of course.

[4Pam]

Wow only 6 weeks of summer vacation! Here in the US our summers start in June until Labor Day!

What an exciting time for the DRF! I hope Christian and his new friends had a great first day of school!

[Katrianna]

Our schools started this week and my niece in Atlanta Ga. starts Mon. the 15th.

[roseroyal]

Originally Posted by Muhler

They don't.

They have also been commended for sending Christian to a public school, because even though this is one of the best public schools in DK, and the children come from families, which can be considered higher middleclass and up, he (and so will M&F) will nevertheless get in contact with ordinary Danes. - Just as he did in the kindergarten.

Which is probably one of the reasons why they chose to send Christian there! Along with other factors of course!
Makes good sense to me- ensure Christian has a fine education, and mixes with ordinary citizens of the country of which, one day he will be King. And has as ordinary a childhood as possible to what any other child in Denmark would have.
Win- win all around!

Originally Posted by King of the Jungle

Cynical, you do sound.

Most of the Danish people seem to support maintaining their Royal family.
It is in the best interests of Denmark and it's people that Christian receives a good education.

The Danish Crown Prince and Princess seem to live/dress in a very comparable manner to that of other European Crown Prince Couples.

I don't hear of major objections towards Prince Christian going to a public school.

Most parents choose a school that suits their children. They consider the grounds and sporting fields, the programs on offer, the staff, the academic results and the positioning of the school, amongst other things.
One would presume that the Crown Prince Couple are similar to any other parents in this regard. There is no reason to suspect that Princess Mary is tossing up between a pair of shoes or a term of private school fees. I find your comments to be insulting.

The last story I saw published about Princess Mary's dress sense expressed disappointment that she was not wearing more new outfits instead of recycling her clothes. She cannot win.

I, for one, don't think a person's clothes or shoes are worthy of scrutinizing. I would not notice the brand of Mary's shoes nor the brands of my friends' shoes. Mary is welcome to wear whatever she likes.

I trust that the school that Christian attends has been well chosen for valid reasons and that he and his classmates will enjoy privacy and a great education.

Plus in M&F's case, since they are the crown couple, and since their child is the future King, I am sure the security, safety, and privacy the school offers would be a huge factor in their decision.

[camelot23ca]

Where I'm from schools go to the last week in June and break until after Labor Day weekend. No break in the fall except a three day weekend at Thanksgiving and then Remembrance Day, then the Christmas holiday and a week in the spring.

I hope they DO give Isabella her own costume next year - she'd look adorable in the more colorful female outfit and something tells me she'd enjoy herself immensely!

[roseroyal]

When will Isabella start primary school?

[dazzling]

A few shots from outside the schoolm Mary brought her own camera to take pictures as well.


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[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by Daria_S

It's interesting to see when schools start in different countries. However, it's not unusual to see school start in August. I know in the US, some states start school as early as beginning of August. Perhaps it's the same in Denmark. All cities/provinces have their own school calendar which is able to satisfy the amount of days children need to be in school during the year. But I will agree; starting school before September is just strange.

In Germany so many families have children that they split the holiday season oiver the whole summer. Each Federal State has 6 weeks of summer holidays but they start and end at different dates from June to September. Otherwise the motorways to the South would not longer work and even though it is this way we have jams of 100 kms and more. Plus those in Austria of course. Bavaria as a rural country is always last with the holidays in August till Mid-September.

[grevinnan]

Originally Posted by 4Pam

Wow only 6 weeks of summer vacation! Here in the US our summers start in June until Labor Day!

What an exciting time for the DRF! I hope Christian and his new friends had a great first day of school!

I don't know where you live but here in No Calif kids are already back in school.

[shrifia]

cute prince.
this is the first kid I saw so exsited to go to his first day at school.

[roseroyal]

Originally Posted by dazzling

A few shots from outside the schoolm Mary brought her own camera to take pictures as well.

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Love the photos! Christian is so cute, and so thrilled to be at school!
I also like how the bodyguards are dressed like any dad would be- a low- key presence.

Originally Posted by FasterB

Prins Christian fik festkamikker | Sermitsiaq.AG Nyheder

The headmasters look like barrels of laughs, don't they?

Originally Posted by Muhler

Translation of article in Billed Bladet #18, 2011.
Perfekt til Christian – Perfect for Christian.
Written by Anna Johannesen.

....

1. What does PET stand for?
2. Oh. My. Not good. At All.

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by dazzling

A few shots from outside the schoolm Mary brought her own camera to take pictures as well.


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These are fabulous! I hope Christian enjoys his school experience.

[JulieS]

Prince Christian is lucky to have his two parents with him for his first day in school.

[Muhler]

Originally Posted by roseroyal

1. What does PET stand for?
2. Oh. My. Not good. At All.

PET = Politiets Efterretnings Tjeneste = The Police Intelligence Service, which take care of domestic security in DK. Including providing bodyguards for members of the DRF.
The organisation is surprisingly big, about one tenth the size of FBI.
Not to be confused with FET, which is the military intelligence branch, that sometimes also provide security for the DRF in war zones and certain countries.

As for the substitute, well that was back in the early 1980's and thirteen year old girls back then didn't require psycological counselling if they saw a naked man. - In fact about the same time girls from another class stormed the boy's shower thoroughly embarassing the boys. Before being kicked out and dressed down by the teacher. The girls could be rascals too.
But the substitute sure learned a lesson! It would have taken days before his long hair would fall naturally down again!

Christian's first few months in school will be very different from the vast majority of all other children who started in school this week here in DK.
Billed Bladet and BT too, I believe, have written articles about that and Joachim and our Marie has been extraordinarily well featured this week as well.
However, due to illness things have been somewhat erratic lately and I'll write about all that, eventually.
But then there is always Google translate, right? Especially as I'm not at all certain about how much interest there really is in the summaries that I write.

[FasterB]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Translation of article in Billed Bladet #18, 2011.
Perfekt til Christian – Perfect for Christian.
Written by Anna Johannesen.

When the last class has finished at 12.00, Christian will take part in the SFO (****).

(****) SFO = Skole-fritids-ordning = School-spare time-arrangement. Which the younger children can attend after classes until they are picked up by their parents or go home. Apart from doing homework they can take part in various activities or just play under close supervision of teachers.

I´m not sure I have said it before, but... The school is located in Gentofte Kommune and here it´s not called SFO, but GFO

Originally Posted by Muhler

But then there is always Google translate, right? Especially as I'm not at all certain about how much interest there really is in the summaries that I write.

Although I´m danish I really enjoy reading your summaries - well, it´s your comments that do the trick for me

[eliz]

Originally Posted by Muhler

PET = Politiets Efterretnings Tjeneste = The Police Intelligence Service, which take care of domestic security in DK. Including providing bodyguards for members of the DRF.
The organisation is surprisingly big, about one tenth the size of FBI.
Not to be confused with FET, which is the military intelligence branch, that sometimes also provide security for the DRF in war zones and certain countries.

As for the substitute, well that was back in the early 1980's and thirteen year old girls back then didn't require psycological counselling if they saw a naked man. - In fact about the same time girls from another class stormed the boy's shower thoroughly embarassing the boys. Before being kicked out and dressed down by the teacher. The girls could be rascals too.
But the substitute sure learned a lesson! It would have taken days before his long hair would fall naturally down again!

Christian's first few months in school will be very different from the vast majority of all other children who started in school this week here in DK.
Billed Bladet and BT too, I believe, have written articles about that and Joachim and our Marie has been extraordinarily well featured this week as well.
However, due to illness things have been somewhat erratic lately and I'll write about all that, eventually.
But then there is always Google translate, right? Especially as I'm not at all certain about how much interest there really is in the summaries that I write.

well at first I do hope everything is fine with you. rest assured: your summaries are absolutely interesting, they give so many insights that you can't compoare them with a google translation. se, if you find the time, a summary from you would be highly appreciated! I'm particularly curious as to how Christian's first months at school will be different from his classmates...

[Archduchess Zelia]

He looks so excited & Mary & Frederik both looks so proud :)

[Muhler]

Excerpts from article in Billed Bladet #32, 2011.
Du store verden – My what a big world. (A saying, hard to translate directly).
Written by Anna Johannesen.

As you know Christian started in school the other day.
Among the children who will start on 0. grade and who come from no less then 22 kindergartens all over Copenhagen is one of his friends, Rosemarie Herring.

- and after a welcoming in the school yard, which will be decorated with flags (M&F) will take him to his new class. On the other hand it’s not certain that the children who will gather in the class will be the same Christian will be with for the rest of the year.
The Tranegårds school has this year postponed the forming of classes for the youngest pupils until the children have gotten to know each other well. Previously the forming of classes has been more or less random (*) but as 0. grade is the basis for a ten year long community/relationship, which is of decisive significance for the learning of the children throughout all the time they spend in school “yes, perhaps for life”, as the school writes on it’s homepage the composition (of the pupils) really means a lot.
When Prince Christian and the other children have been welcomed the two 0. grades will be divided into four groups, each designated a color. Several times until the Autumn Holiday (in October) the groups will be disbanded and new will be formed, so that both the children and the adults will have an opportunity to get to know each other well. To each group is attached one or two adults.
Until the Autumn Holiday the children will daily gather and start the day with a song and then they will be presented to the schedule of the day. Each group will then work with different subjects so that the teachers can form an impression about how the children interact with one another. Not just in the classes but also during the intermissions. Apart from that the children will look at the distribution of girls and boys, just as there will be a focus on the behavioral pattern of the children, so that they don’t risk having all the lively ones in one class and the more quiet in another.
In two months from now, the parents will be informed by letter as to how the permanent classes will look like.

(*) As is the case in practically all Danish schools.

I think I’ll leave it to other Danish members to translate Christian’s remarks to the press. He certainly hasn’t inherited his father’s awkwardness and shyness towards the media! It appears that the early exposure of the DRF children to the media glare has paid off.
His replies were bright and very confident.

[Daria_S]

Originally Posted by Muhler

Excerpts from article in Billed Bladet #32, 2011.
Du store verden – My what a big world. (A saying, hard to translate directly).
Written by Anna Johannesen.

As you know Christian started in school the other day.
Among the children who will start on 0. grade and who come from no less then 22 kindergartens all over Copenhagen is one of his friends, Rosemarie Herring.

- and after a welcoming in the school yard, which will be decorated with flags (M&F) will take him to his new class. On the other hand it’s not certain that the children who will gather in the class will be the same Christian will be with for the rest of the year.
The Tranegårds school has this year postponed the forming of classes for the youngest pupils until the children have gotten to know each other well. Previously the forming of classes has been more or less random (*) but as 0. grade is the basis for a ten year long community/relationship, which is of decisive significance for the learning of the children throughout all the time they spend in school “yes, perhaps for life”, as the school writes on it’s homepage the composition (of the pupils) really means a lot.
When Prince Christian and the other children have been welcomed the two 0. grades will be divided into four groups, each designated a color. Several times until the Autumn Holiday (in October) the groups will be disbanded and new will be formed, so that both the children and the adults will have an opportunity to get to know each other well. To each group is attached one or two adults.
Until the Autumn Holiday the children will daily gather and start the day with a song and then they will be presented to the schedule of the day. Each group will then work with different subjects so that the teachers can form an impression about how the children interact with one another. Not just in the classes but also during the intermissions. Apart from that the children will look at the distribution of girls and boys, just as there will be a focus on the behavioral pattern of the children, so that they don’t risk having all the lively ones in one class and the more quiet in another.
In two months from now, the parents will be informed by letter as to how the permanent classes will look like.

(*) As is the case in practically all Danish schools.

I think I’ll leave it to other Danish members to translate Christian’s remarks to the press. He certainly hasn’t inherited his father’s awkwardness and shyness towards the media! It appears that the early exposure of the DRF children to the media glare has paid off.
His replies were bright and very confident.

So the children will be in the same group for their entire school career? Interesting to see. When I started school back in USSR, the same principal was practiced; Children were divided into classes (each class had a letter of the alphabet attached to the number which represented the year, so 1-A meant year one, group A), and they would go through school with the class that they were assigned to. Also, there would be no teacher change from year to year during the primary school grades, so each group would have the same teacher that they started out with on the first day of school, in year one. I'm not sure if that's how it is in Russia now. I like this idea, because it allows the children to form lasting friendships and have a sense of community.