First Day of School for Princess Amalia: December 10, 2007 - Page 2

christinacg · #21 09-19-2007, 08:40 PM

So she starts school in December. Here in the USA the school year starts in late August or early September. In the Netherlands, does the school year start in December, or is she herself starting in December because thats when she turns 4 years old?

Vanesa · #22 09-19-2007, 09:39 PM

Huh...I always tought that the scholar year would beging in SEPTEMBER in Europe...

Maybe it's different in some European countries?

Vanesa.

lucien · #23 09-20-2007, 04:09 AM

Schools start here in august/september too,depending on the part of the country you live in as holidays have been divided in North,Middle and South with a difference of 1 to two weeks,to avoid traffic jams and such if all would go at the same time.

But,like in Amalia's case,as soon as children reach the age of four,regardless the time of year,they start attending in what we call here group 1,a mixture of kindergarten and elimentary education.Hope the explanation is clear enough?

TLLK · #24 09-20-2007, 11:42 AM

Thank you Lucien. Your explanation is very clear. Do teachers move students up into a higher level class if they feel they have the maturity and ability to do higher level work?

ZandraRae · #25 09-20-2007, 02:24 PM

Wow! I can't wait to see the little cutie go to school. And a photoshoot on top of it. Willem Alexander and Maxima sure are generous to us!

Verde Esmeralda · #26 09-20-2007, 03:23 PM

I also find it very interesting that Amalia is going to attend a public school, and not some posh-exclusive school. But I am wondering how the relationship between the little Princess and her schoolmates could develop.

Yes, I know, she's just a 4 year old kid - probably not even close to being conscious about who she is and what her future looks like- and I know she is not supossed to run around in the playground yelling "bow to me, I am going to be your Queen one day". But I do think it might be a little bit odd to the rest after a while...don't you think? "My mom told me you are a Princess"

Aurora810 · #27 09-20-2007, 06:33 PM

My biggest concern would be competition among other parents to make sure their kid is a friend to the little princess. I mean in a way the kids are too young to understand but the parents are not. But I think Fred and Joachim went to a public high school and that seemed to work out okay for them so who knows. I'm sure W-A and Maxima have thought of many different issues that could come up. This has probably been well planned out!

prinsesbeagle · #28 09-20-2007, 06:52 PM

WA and his brothers went to a public school to just like every other kid here in Holland so I'm sure they don't see a problem with it and esp WA will know what Amalia might encounter along the way.

stephanievl · #29 09-20-2007, 07:03 PM

[quote=Aurora810;669908]My biggest concern would be competition among other parents to make sure their kid is a friend to the little princess. I mean in a way the kids are too young to understand but the parents are not. quote]

I don't think that will be like that! All the Belgian royal kids go to a public school and that never was a problem! If it wouls be, it can also be in private schools!
I find public school better, they don't get a special treatment, they get to know all different kinds of peoles (rich, not-rich, immigrants, ..) I think it is better for the future.

**Marengo** · #30 09-20-2007, 07:07 PM

And luckily children will be children, at that age they can not be forced to like anybody.
----

I believe either Maxima or WA said that Amalia is looking forward to school, as she considers herself to be truly a big girl then.

Vanesa · #31 09-20-2007, 08:38 PM

Thank you, Lucien. Your explanation is very clear.

I can't wait to see Princess Amalia with her uniform. I'm always wanting pics and more pics of her...

Vanesa.

lucien · #32 09-21-2007, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLLK

Thank you Lucien. Your explanation is very clear. Do teachers move students up into a higher level class if they feel they have the maturity and ability to do higher level work?

Yes,but only after consulting the parents and the student ofcourse.Some pushy parents might say yes beforehand hoping their kid will turn into another Einstein,but really it all boils down to what the student wants/wishes in such a case.At least in the case I'm most familiar with.

prinsesbeagle · #33 09-21-2007, 07:11 PM

Dutch kids don't wear school-uniforms, Vanesa.

acdc1 · #34 09-21-2007, 07:33 PM

Somehow, I can see Amalia as the type of child who loves going to school, not only for the learning but for the socializing. I wonder if she'll turn out that way as she gets older.

Aurora810 · #35 12-03-2007, 05:38 PM

I have a question maybe a fellow Dutch poster can answer for me. Amalia will start school in December and I assume she will attend the rest of the school year which likely goes until summer '08. Then next August/September what level will she be at? I'm confused with the concept of kids coming in at different times of the school year and some kids being promoted to a next level during the school year. Is there some point when kids start school in August/September and they are with the same group of kids for the entire school year? Hope I'm making myself clear enough.

Regina · #36 12-03-2007, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acdc1

Somehow, I can see Amalia as the type of child who loves going to school, not only for the learning but for the socializing.

Yes, I don't think Amalia will cry on her first day of school.

From the pictures I have seen she seems to be an extrovert and very kind child, who likes to laugh and have fun. She will make friends easily, I believe.

ashelen · #37 12-04-2007, 02:17 AM

I am really surprise that Amalia goes to a public school, knowing Maxima grow up in a private school,it must be a school with all parents with money and the same social level.
I live in Las Vegas, here not even crazy you can think to take your kids to public school, the level of education is so terrible, but it is a really sucrifice to send the kids to private school is so expensive, that you don't know how you will do to pay the next year!

prinsesbeagle · #38 12-04-2007, 12:57 PM

The school will mostly have kids from the town itself. It's a wealthy town, but not all kids there will be from rich parents. And the parents of kids going to kindergarten won't pay much money for the school (perhaps at most a few hundred, but usually it's less). Most of the costs - including books and other materials etc - are paid for by the state. Also - except perhaps for the really big cities - there is no real difference between the quality of public schools or 'private' schools (they're not really private, they're just based on a religeous base)

A US photoagency had some pictures a few days ago of Maxima picking up Amalia from her new school (I guess some paparazzi are still trying to sell their pics which would clearly fall under the mediacode). So the school wont be new to her on her first 'official' day of school next monday.

Regina · #39 12-04-2007, 02:18 PM

I read there are Public, Special and Private schools in the Netherlands.Special schools are the ones based on a specific religion. Since Amalia is the future Queen, why didn't Máxima and Williem choose a lutheran school for their daughter?

Aurora810 · #40 12-04-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

I read there are Public, Special and Private schools in the Netherlands.Special schools are the ones based on a specific religion. Since Amalia is the future Queen, why didn't Máxima and Williem choose a lutheran school for their daughter?

This is strictly my opinion maybe others can weigh in on your question. I think the focus is perhaps on exposure to different types of people yet still in a safe upper class type of an environment.