The answer we've been waiting for..

Yesterday the principal from Jimmie's school phoned to tell me whether or not they would keep Jimmies place open for him if we took him out of school from January to August next year for our big trip. It was good news! It took him almost one month to get back to me, but he had to find out whether they would still receive funding for Jimmie whilst he was gone. And they will, because he will be registering in the September, so its all cool. He also told me that it was not a legal requirement for children to be in school, as long as they are provided with an education. Well, having home educated our children, I already knew this, but was happy to hear a principal that is still willing to say it, since all the controversy recently about de-registering in this country. He said that nearer the time I should go into the school to see him and they would give me all the topics that Jimmie would be covering and talk about what he needs to keep up with etc. He seemed very helpful, and completely positive about the educational benefits of taking such a trip. So its all go, we can officially start to plan!