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[les]

Ok thanks for the info! Maybe they might have a coach organised by the time we get out there - that would be good. Les

[zebedee]

Hi Les and Susannah,
We're just back from Paphos and Grace who is just 6 had a day in yr 1 at the International ( so she must have met your son, Susannah?) She absolutely loved it! I hope that she's as enthusiastic come February half term, but we took a lot of photos and Mrs Houliatis seems lovely. It helps that she's from Glasgow like Graces dad! It seems such a huge school, we're in a tiny Welsh village school of 40 at the moment with two classrooms for everything - what fantastic facilities at the International! The cafe mums seemed a friendly bunch and that helped me feel a bit better about leaving her - I'm sure I was more worried than she was, but mostly that I wouldn't be able to find my way back to pick her up!! What's the situation with uniform Susannah? I can't remember half of what we were told! Is there a school uniform shop and is it expensive? Lisa (back in cold Wales...)

[Lou1]

Does anyone know the web site for the International School Of Paphos or where I can gat a prospectus? I can only find an E-mail address and haven't had a reply.

[zebedee]

the email i have is [email protected] and the person we found most helpful is a woman called Themoulla. Or you could ring them on
26 932236. I think they're filling up quite quickly as yr 2 were already full.Hope this helps!
Lisa

[Cyprus Vending]

Hi All

Its not been talked about yet - but what are the school fee's???

[Lou1]

Thanks Lisa,
E-mailed that address and got through to them.

[zebedee]

the fees vary depending on the age. There's enrollment/registration fees of £350, then the year tuition fee ( £1666 - £2543 for infants, £2690 - £3124 for seniors) plus miscellaneous charges for books £122/insurances etc etc £85+, then exam fees/ uniform..... lisa

[les]

Hi Lisa, Can I ask you - did you get a 'friendly' reception when you viewed the school? I must say when we went to the old school last year - before the new one opened I did find that it a little staid, the main emphasis being on the fact that the children had to do an entrance exam. In the UK if you took your child to a private school they do their best to be very accommodating. I am wondering however that as English people whose children do not speak fluent Greek, (as I am told they need to do in order to go to the state schools), whom I have to say were most pleasant and helpful when we visited, namely the Gymnasium School. So as its really not that plausible for our children to learn Greek to a satisactory level then we have little choice other than to use the International Schooling. So is it in fact a choice? or a mandatory acceptance. So this is the reason for my questioning as I have to say I wasn't made to feel paricularly welcome even though I would be sending 3 children to the school - or perhaps someone was having an 'off' day? I would appreciate anyones comments in this regard - thanks a lot. I note also that the school is now becoming full - what will I do then - go to the American Academy I guess? not ideal if i've got to split the children. Les

[zebedee]

Hi Les,
yes i was a bit surprised at the idea of an assessment being made! I thought being able to pay would be the only criteria! But then I've no experience of private education in the UK either. Maybe its because its filling up? We had quite a formal meeting when we were just popping in for a look around and before I knew it Grace was invited to spend the day which was something I hadn't expected or talked to her about. She loved it though and the teachers seemed very friendly. I hadn't realised she would be assessed during that time though but perhaps it was just as well as I couldn't pass on any of my anxieties! I think it was just a case of her reading and writing a bit so they could see where she was up to. I think their standards are quite high for yr 1 anyway but then we come from a little village school of varying academic emphasis. I suppose my only anxiety is that they have time for fun too. But then going down the beach after school will go some way to finding the right balance I expect! We paid the enrollment and registration fees to keep her a place for February and it also means it makes us get our act together and start packing now! We will be stopping in Pegia initially until we find rented nearer the school. We'd like the village areas better but will have to wait and see. When are you planning to move over? lisa

[les]

Hi Lisa, Thanks for that - i'll be prepared! Well we have had a holiday home in Peyia for about 4 years now and have loved it that much that we decided to purchase some land further up near Kathikas and build our own house which is now underway. Hopefully we have also sold our villa in Peyia, we have a purchase just about to commence. We wanted to go a bit more up into the hills where its not quite so hot in the Summer and also above the humidity line - so hoping that those little black things that bite so much at dawn and dusk won't be so bad! We will be going across the top road via Strompi to get to the school - wish there were some buses though, and afterschool facilities for Kyle as I'm just going to be hanging around each day whilst I wait to pick up the girls. Our new home is expected to be ready in the Summer so we are hoping to move for the start of the new term in September. Hopefully we will be able to meet up at some point! Les