WHAT  OUR  PARENTS  SAY . . .

Lydie Gourret, parent from France:

Joran and Janis arrived at Moray Firth School in August 2007 without a word of English.  They were welcomed into the school like family and quickly it was as if they had always been there.  They only needed on day to feel "at home".

The whole MFS team and in particular Mrs Anni Cole-Hamilton and Mrs Sophie Lasota won the children's trust, facilitated their integration and hae celebrated cultural differences with their classmates.

The team has spent considerable energy helping Joran and Janis to learn the language.  Activities offered to all children (theatre, cooking, tennis, cultural outings ...) have enabled tem to develop, to communicate and to build their confidence among the group.

Jorand Janis have felt loved, respected and surrounded by a passionate team.  This is possible, it exists and it is happening in Scotland!

I thank Mrs Anni Cole-Hamilton for her extreme dedication to my children and going beyond what is expected.  She is a talented person and extremely good-natured.  I have particularly enjoyed her sense of humour with the children!

I thank Mrs Sophie Lasota whose patience, kindness, humour, imagination and perseverance have played a major role in the success of my children this school year.

I would also like to thank all the teachers for the way they have managed to fully integrate these two little foreigners.

Joran and Janis will never be able to forget Murray, Ben, Karys, Milo, Savanna, Neil, Morgan,  Lara, Emma, Jane, Christy, Kathryn, Deborah, JJ, Jamie, Duncan, Adam, Georgia and Katie, who have also played a part in the progress made by the two "garcons francais".

I will never forget the kindness of all the parents who have taught me that Scottish people are so warm hearted and not to be compared with their climate!

It is with a pang of emotion that we are leaving Scotland and, most of all, Moray Firth School.

Principal's comment: And all of us at MFS will find it hard to say goodbye to this delightful family at the end of Term.  We wish them happiness and success in the USA and Bonne Chance.

Mia and Nigel

Prior to attending MFS, our son had been to several schools in as many countries, and we were worried that it would take time for him to settle in and make friends. That worry was dispelled after about a week! There is a rare quality about MFS that you don’t find in many schools, a real sense of harmony and proud endeavour.

We saw in our son an immediate boost in his confidence, and the teachers at MFS identified his strengths and ‘areas to develop’ with great swiftness and accuracy – all of which has convinced us that we made the right decision to enrol our son there. These decisions are never easy, and we had wondered when weighing up all the options whether a smaller school environment (though one with big ambitions) would be the right one. Well undoubtedly it is. Our son has never been happier, and it has never been more difficult to drag him away from school at the end of a thoroughly productive day of learning and industrious play.

What more could a parent want? A happy child encouraged to be the best he can be in an environment so positive that school holidays become a bit of a drag. I wish my school had been like that!

Hello, my name is Sherrel

I have two children at MFS, one in Junior School and the other in Middle School.  They started last term and this past Summer Term.

I am also one of the many parent helpers who, on Wednesdays throughout Summer Term, have been on various educational trips.  With Mrs Lasota, Junior class teacher, we have visited Inverness Museum and studied buildings in Inverness; visited Culloden Battlefield; Cairngorm Mountain Railway and Rothiemurchus Estate; Connage Highland Dairy (our local champion cheesemakers) and Macleods Organic Farm; Inverness Airport and its Flying School; Nairn Book and Arts Festival; and last but not least Cawdor Castle and Fort George. The children were divided into small groups and with clipboards in hand, we all worked together studying questions and looking for answers.  This was followed up in class with beautiful art work and story writing.  The weather was kind to us and we have had picnics on every outing!

The Middle School have been studying Australia this Term and my child has discovered a new enthusiasm for both geography and history.  The English and Drama teacher is fantastic and is working very hard with the children on Romeo and Juliet - which will end in a rather comical version at Nairn Community Centre on 20th June 2008.  The Art teacher is inspirational and my child has found studying aboriginal art exciting and challenging.  This Term, Middle School went to Nairn Sports Club for tennis coaching which I must say they all enjoyed immensely.  They have an excellent PE teacher, who provides a very interesting range of sports activities.

I haven't mentioned all the subjects this unique school has to offer but my impression so far is that my children are enjoying their education, building confidence and ALL the children are their friends.

Finally, Mrs Cole-Hamilton, the Principal, has an open door policy and is wonderful at keeping the parents informed about the activities in the school and gives parents lots of useful information and tips and is always willing to stop and have a chat over coffee and a chocolate biscuit!

If you would like to talk to me, please ring the school and leave me a message and I will return your call.

Lucy and Will
After agonising for months about changing schools, the move could not have been easier or more rewarding for the whole family. Our daughters responded instantly to the warm, supportive and fun atmosphere at Moray Firth School. They are happier, more confident about who they are and much, much more energetic. The standard of teaching is exceptionally high. It is underpinned by ample, dedicated staff time to provide individual, tailored attention. For us, Moray Firth School successfully combines a focus on high academic standards and acehiving personal potential with the fun and stimulating environment we wanted for Georgia and Katie. 

                      
Joanne

I wanted my daugher’s schooling to work with her abilities and not hold her back or force her forward if she was not confident enough to do so. I feel that the method of teaching at Moray Firth School treats each child as an individual working at their own pace but with enough encouragement not to lose interest or resent learning. 

I  have also chosen the School as, apart from uniform and stationery, all costs are included in the fees, no surprise extra care costs. Care is from 8am until 6pm which for a working single mum is important, as I know if I get held up Jane will still be taken care of.

One of the most important factors was the dedication and friendliness of the Principal, Mrs Anni Cole-Hamilton. Since first contacting Anni, I have been amazed at her willingness to advise and assist me even before I made a definite commitment to send Jane to MFS.    Anni is always available to help in any way she can and her love for the School and pupils shows through in all contact.

Moray Firth School is a proper family school and the closeness of pupils and staff is a joy to see.                                   

Christine, after transferring her child to Moray Firth School three years ago:

I've got my little girl back!
                                 

 Carolyn and David (ex-parents, who kept up the international traditions we're building by moving to a diplomatic posting abroad)
Mutual respect is very much in evidence between teachers and pupils and this in turn creates an atmosphere perfect for passing on the excitement and joy of learning. It is a joy-filled school and it is obvious that much fun is had by all. Nobody ever wanted to be "off" school and our children were never in a rush to leave at the end of the day. Music lessons available there were an added advantage, along with the holistic approach to achievement and engendering a love of learning for life. Each of our children wanted to work for the teachers and themselves and give of their best. We all shall always have very fond memories of Moray Firth School.