We have been very blessed to give Ammon the opportunity to attend St Luke's High School. I was a little concerned that he wouldn't get in because schools like St Luke's have a reputation to uphold, hence they pick and choose who they want and it's usually kids with academic excellence in their blood as it reflects on them.
Ammon has a learning disability called central auditory processing disorder. This means that he experiences difficulty analysing or making sense of what he hears. Kids with CAPD can show difficulty paying attention, following directions or concentrating. They are often easily distracted, frustrated and fatigued. Organising and sequencing information presented via the auditory track is also difficult for them. Ammon presents with most of these symptoms, particularly when it comes to fatigue as it takes him so long to process everything!
Despite Ammon having poor grades, the interview with the principal went well and he was given a position. (After much praying and fasting too!) Yay! I was a little concerned that they would put him on the waiting list but not so. Ammon was pleased with this result as he was being bullied in primary school and it turned out that these 'bullies' were put on the waiting list.
The school has high standards when it comes to homework, dress, makeup, piercings, tattoos and just the general culture of the school is very impressive. 67% of the school leavers last year were offered university places, 1 for medicine and 2 for physiotherapy. I could go on, however the most important thing is that Ammon is happy and he says that he is. He also tells me that the older kids are very kind to him and whenever he goes to his locker, the older kids let him go first. Insignificant details to some, but it was worth a mention from Ammon.
I went to the wine and cheese night tonight to get to know his teachers and to get an idea of how they are all fitting in and coping. It was very informative and I enjoyed the night. In the second week of school they attended a 3 day camp in order to get to know each other and to learn about being responsible now that they are in highshcool. He didn't mind the camp but he did complain about the cooking which made me feel good! I can't be that bad of a cook after all!
It was difficult for me on Ammon's first day as I couldn't take him, I had to take olea into her year 1 class. Jared ended up taking him and he assured me that there were hardly any parents there because the kids were probably too embarrassed to have mum and dad around! I came home with tears running down my cheeks because it brought back memories of when I first dropped him off at kindy. Very hard to let go! I can't imagine what it's going to be like when he goes on his mission!
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