I too am commencing the coming scholastic year at a selective school, but with the primary differentiation that I reside in Victoria (Melbourne, to be precise).
Keep in mind that the two Victorian selective schools begin at year 9, so leaving my current school during the middle of my secondary education was inevitable.
I received notification that I was offered a place in early August, but unfortunately my future school just HAD to contact my previous principal about the offer. Thankfully, he didn't mention anything until my parents and I formally lodged my letter of departure. That began the downwards spiral...
Being a laptop school, my principal immediately sent an email concerning my 'resignation' to all staff members. I was actually anticipating informing my favourite teachers about my 'angsty' desicion, but of course, I was stripped of this opportunity.
How did my teachers take it? Well...
The director of music refused to look at me in the eye for two months.
My Japanese teacher attempted to convince me that it's always possible to return, and students have done so in the past.
One of the year 5 teachers (to whom I had corrected her misconceptions about the creator of penicillin 4 years previously) yelled at my mother, "You're taking her away from us!" - quite ironic that 'her' was referring to me, as I have a younger sister who was once in her class.
The principal chastised my mother in the hallways, but offered to hold my place and scholarship.
My English teacher asked my why I was moving to a state school... and so on.
However, some of the teachers took the news very well, and could see the depth and heavily debated reasons concerning my move. Many stated that they thought that the top school in the state would offer me a plethora of of opportunities that wouldn't be accessible at any other school, and most could comprehend that I was longing for some social stimulation. In fact, my science teacher admitted that although she loved instructing me, she sincerely wished that I forged friendships and constructed life long bonds with students who wouldn't ostracise me.
The truth is, the key justification to perseving with the (hopefully initial) trauma of moving schools was that I could assosiate with kind, benevolent peers who could tolerate my interests, and accept my fascination with thought.
After all, what's the point of ploughing through youth without truly being yourself?
My new transition will involve a huge adjustment (as will all of yours), but in the end, I'm sure it'll be worth it.
