The weather gods were though on our side for our week-long summer camping trip to Morteratsch – thank goodness. We had a great time exploring the area around the glacier and just relaxing at the campground. The highlight, though, was a trip in the open panoramic train carriage over the Bernina Pass! We followed up with a week back in Flims, staying in the same apartment as last summer. Thank goodness we left the camper at home as it rained more than the sun shone that week, and we only did a handful of things. But that was ok! I had no expectations or big plans for our two weeks away. All I wanted to do was disconnect from the world, reconnect with my family, and recharge my batteries. I hope you were also able to recharge your batteries this summer? What did you get up to?
The summer holidays also afford me the time to tick off one of those nagging tasks that have been looming over my head for the past few months – a trip down to Geneva to renew my Teenagers Australian passport. Sorry that our timing didn’t coincide with you being home, but you must snap up any appointment offered in these Covid-times. It’s a long journey from here in Zug down your way, around 4 hours by train, and I had all the intentions of staying overnight and taking your advice on what to see. But after being away from home for two weeks prior, the idea of sleeping in another bed had me wanting to get the visit over and done. Plus, it was a lot cheaper to go just for the day and take advantage of the 40 CHF public transport day pass from our local Gemeinde, now my Teen, who turned 16 in May, no longer qualifies for a Junior card (which enables free train travel with parents). The eight hour travel day was exhausting, and it didn’t leave us much time except for our passport appointment, a walk down to the lake to get a peek at the Jet d’eau and a quick burger at 5 Guys. So my Geneva bucket list remains long. But our train did pass right through the actual röstigraben! I couldn’t not take a photo:
We have already been back to school for an entire week, and finding our new routine always hits me like a ton of bricks. Getting up at 6 am instead of a leisurely 8 am, or sometimes even 9 or 10 am for the kids, shocked us all. Little Z started first grade full of motivation for the early start and homework, The Boy, who is in his second year of Gynamisum, not so much.
The first day in our village usually begins in the church as an entire school. But, due to COVID, this year, the new kids (the Kindergarten/1st graders and new high schoolers) all met in the pouring rain and were welcomed through a tunnel of cheering students and teachers before heading to their classroom. Little Z had the all-important school bag with her, which will accompany her through primary school, her Finke (house shoes) and filled Etui (Pencil Case) – the school provides all the rest. She will be at the primary school for six years before the grade will divide out between Gynamisum (Kanti or Kantonal Schule here in Zug, which requires an average of 5.2 to attend, lasts six years and leads into university) and Oberstufe (3 years of high school, which lead to an apprenticeship).
The Teen, who finished 3 Oberstufe (9th grade), has just started her year-long practicum, which leads to a three-year apprenticeship at a local English speaking preschool. It took me a long time to get my head around apprentice-based learning, but the more and more I learn about the system, the more I am convinced that learning while doing is a great way to start a career. Where I grew up in Australia, 12 years of school followed by university is the path for most students, but here in Switzerland, there are so many different ways to get to where you want to go. The Teen wants to become a teacher, so she plans to do the “Berufsmatura” after her apprenticeship to pave her way into the Paedigogisch Hochschule (PH) – Teachers Collage.
But in typical Swiss style, the schooling system isn’t the same all over the country – what is it like down your way? Is there are streaming process after 6th grade (around 12 years of age?)? Do more students take the university or apprenticeship route?
Well Laura, I look forward to your reply and hearing all about how school works down your way and of course how your summer was! I hope you were able to get home and visit your family.
Bis Bald
Liebi Grüsse
Kristin
