provost1

We have been informed that the schooling/education standards in Perth are quite poor - does anyone have any information on this?

Loch Lomond

It depends on what your expectations are. Schooling in WA is different than in the UK, however that is not too say that it is inferior. It is also dependant on schools, teachers and areas. There are a number of threads on this subject already.
And I am sure you will get a number of responses to this thread giving views in all directions, resulting in you not being any better informed!!

Rosscarbery

Do a search, there have been a lot of threads about this recently. Bottom line is that different systems suit different kids and expectations vary. We are in Sydney and I get very fed up with people arriving at our (in my opinion excellent) school spouting "our UK school was much better". No, it was different. Equally "our little Johnny is soooo intelligent/gifted/needs to be stretched more" YAWN.

Amazulu

Whoever 'informed' you about this is a wanker.

Mikeyc

Well WA is called and considered the “dumb state”.

There has to be a reason?

There are plenty of threads on here which are for and against Perth schooling, and the other states also, that should give you an idea.


Mikey

NKSK version 2

I wouldn't say that they are poor - but they are VERY patchy.

worzel

Why do you need schooling if you can earn double the national average wage washing dishes in the mines?

NKSK version 2

Never a truer word......

janeyrich

We arrived in January. I have two boys at Woodvale Senior school, one of the best state schools in WA and my daughter is at the primary. I am impressed with the primary school, doesnt seem to be much different to the UK. As for the senior, well considering it is suppossed to be a superior school, I dread to think what the other schools are like! The teachers are shocking and just cant seem to be bothered. My kids dont get homework, they have both gone downhill since starting at the school, especially considering they had a bit of a headstart in effect and were just going over work they had already done in the UK. The one positive is that the teachers do communicate regularly via email and letter to inform parents if there are any concerns problems. This probably wont help you at all, but will hopefully confirm you fears - just make sure you choose one of the better schools. Not sure about the private school thing here-maybe someone may be able to enlighten you about that. Oh yes, also, drugs are rife in schools here, more so than in the UK accordiing to my boys.

mindblower

[ [/QUOTE]

Lol Worzel.

Kim67

Hi Janeyrich - I'd be interested to know what makes you think school's in Woodvale are some of the best state schools in WA? I've only been back in WA since January, but unless things have changed dramatically in the last 10 years, I wouldn't have thought that. I've not heard of a senior school in Perth that doesn't give out homework.

To the original poster, state schooling is okay if you live in one of the wealthier suburbs of Perth or if your kids are talented enough to get a scholarship to a specialist state school such as Perth Modern. Private schooling in my experience has proven to be of a higher educational standard, but can be pretty expensive. Catholic schooling in a good suburb is often a cheaper alternative to private schooling. The problem with Catholic schools is that most of the time you have to be Catholic to get a place.

My kids have been in State, Private and Catholic systems and I probably wouldn't send them to a state school again. So my advice to you is that isn't not necessarily the system that is worse in Perth, but the individual attitude of the school, it's staff and it's student's parents. Pick a good school in a good suburb and you shouldn't be disappointed.

Kim

NKSK version 2

It's exactly the system which allows this.

Systemic failure in education in Australia generally and WA in particular is a disgrace.

janeyrich

Not schools in Woodvale, the ONE senior school is Woodvale was came out on top in a recent poll as one of the best in WA. This decision was based on academic achievment last year with 100% pass rate in Year 12 students. if students at Woodvale school were to sit exams in the UK I personally think they would fail miserably. The whole education system here is wishy washy and in my opinion a high achiever here would be a average achiever in the UK.

janeyrich

Agreed- 100%

janeyrich

Also, may I add, we actually moved into the Woodvale catchment area as this is the only way you can get into the school as they have a waiting list as long as their arm for kids wanting to get in but arent in the catchment area because their reputation is suppossedly so good! The point I was trying to make is that this is a school parents really would love their kids to get into NOR but from my experience its a shocker!