UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
#61
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
You can also get sports scholarships to uni.
DD was a state level swimmer, so although she trained up to 7 times a week, she wasn't deemed good enough to get any bonus points. You do have to be very good indeed.
The ATAR is a mark given for your results in the HSC, and it depends on how well you have done in your subjects, but is altered by the weighting given to each subject and your ranking given by the school for each subject. It is somewhat like the Uni admissions points in the UK, except that everyone who takes the HSC gets the ATAR mark, whether they are going onto uni or not.
#62
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
I beg to differ. If you have represented your school/club at national level you get bonus points, to recognise the time spent training and away from the classroom attending meets. In the case of one of DD's schoolmates who was in the Australian swimming squad for the junior olympics, she got 5 bonus points. It would have given her an ATAR of over 100, so she didn't actually need to use them to get into uni. Not all sports people are dumb!!
You can also get sports scholarships to uni.
DD was a state level swimmer, so although she trained up to 7 times a week, she wasn't deemed good enough to get any bonus points. You do have to be very good indeed.
The ATAR is a mark given for your results in the HSC, and it depends on how well you have done in your subjects, but is altered by the weighting given to each subject and your ranking given by the school for each subject. It is somewhat like the Uni admissions points in the UK, except that everyone who takes the HSC gets the ATAR mark, whether they are going onto uni or not.
You can also get sports scholarships to uni.
DD was a state level swimmer, so although she trained up to 7 times a week, she wasn't deemed good enough to get any bonus points. You do have to be very good indeed.
The ATAR is a mark given for your results in the HSC, and it depends on how well you have done in your subjects, but is altered by the weighting given to each subject and your ranking given by the school for each subject. It is somewhat like the Uni admissions points in the UK, except that everyone who takes the HSC gets the ATAR mark, whether they are going onto uni or not.
I checked on the ATAR website and it said
"Does the school I attend matter?
No. The school attended does not feature in the ATAR calculation. The ATAR calculation is based only on marks provided by the Board of Studies NSW; no other information is used."
The ATAR website has lots of information.
But I don't know enough to agree or disagree on your other comments re sport played giving you bonus points. I know that if there has been a tragedy very close to the HSC exams, then allowance is made for this and bonus marks can be added.
Hope all this information that everyone has provided helps someone with their decisions.
#63
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
My apologies....I didn't realise that the mark used for university entrance was called ATAR. I thought it was called something else so please accept my apologies.
I checked on the ATAR website and it said
"Does the school I attend matter?
No. The school attended does not feature in the ATAR calculation. The ATAR calculation is based only on marks provided by the Board of Studies NSW; no other information is used."
The ATAR website has lots of information.
But I don't know enough to agree or disagree on your other comments re sport played giving you bonus points. I know that if there has been a tragedy very close to the HSC exams, then allowance is made for this and bonus marks can be added.
Hope all this information that everyone has provided helps someone with their decisions.
I checked on the ATAR website and it said
"Does the school I attend matter?
No. The school attended does not feature in the ATAR calculation. The ATAR calculation is based only on marks provided by the Board of Studies NSW; no other information is used."
The ATAR website has lots of information.
But I don't know enough to agree or disagree on your other comments re sport played giving you bonus points. I know that if there has been a tragedy very close to the HSC exams, then allowance is made for this and bonus marks can be added.
Hope all this information that everyone has provided helps someone with their decisions.
#64
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
The school itself doesn't matter, but each school ranks its pupils in order for each subject they take. This is based on the marks they get for their trials. If a pupil does much worse than expected by the school then their mark is moderated, this is also the case if the pupil does better than expected, when the mark is moderated downwards. It happened to one of DD's friends, who did unexpectedly well in one of her exams- she'd worked really hard to get a poor mark up, and got a higher band than predicted. Yet when the ATAR came out, her mark had been reduced by 5. I really don't think it is a fair way of doing things IMHO.
I've only just worked out how the subject scores are calculated and it is so complicated! VCAA (VIC curriculum & assessment authority) claim the system is fair - some schools mark their children more harshly in the SACS whilst others are very generous with their marks. I'm still not sure whether or not the system is fair.
When my daughter moved here into Year 9 (from a British Curriculum school), I cannot recall her mentioning it being too easy or it was stuff she had already covered in primary/years 6-8. She went to a state school (selective) and I guess just like any other school there are some good and some really awful teachers (just like in a private school). The standard in years 11 and 12 (VCE) is definitely high and competition at the top end of her cohort was intense.
I'd suggest you come here as early as possible so that your kids are Aussie citizens at the time of entry into University - in case they require loans to assist with their tuition fees. This is because only citizens are eligible for FEE-HELP/HECS-HELP (Higher Education Loan Program). http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/Stud...%20booklet.pdf
Last edited by IndieG; Mar 2nd 2014 at 7:38 am.
#65
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
Very true, I have two teen boys, one who I would call average academically but a genius in science and one who is academically bright but lazy! ARGHHHHHHH! It's so frustrating, all they care about right now is sport!
They are so blazé about school work, it drives me insane!
I mean what are you supposed to do with teen boys like that? Seriously.......
I know what I'd like to do with them...
They are so blazé about school work, it drives me insane!
I mean what are you supposed to do with teen boys like that? Seriously.......
I know what I'd like to do with them...
The school itself doesn't matter, but each school ranks its pupils in order for each subject they take. This is based on the marks they get for their trials. If a pupil does much worse than expected by the school then their mark is moderated, this is also the case if the pupil does better than expected, when the mark is moderated downwards. It happened to one of DD's friends, who did unexpectedly well in one of her exams- she'd worked really hard to get a poor mark up, and got a higher band than predicted. Yet when the ATAR came out, her mark had been reduced by 5. I really don't think it is a fair way of doing things IMHO.
#66
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
In my daughter's school, the SAC (subject tests) ranking was not based on trials but on the cumulative marks attained on every individual SAC (and they had at least 6-8 tests in each subject throughout the year).
I've only just worked out how the subject scores are calculated and it is so complicated! VCAA (VIC curriculum & assessment authority) claim the system is fair - some schools mark their children more harshly in the SACS whilst others are very generous with their marks. I'm still not sure whether or not the system is fair.
When my daughter moved here into Year 9 (from a British Curriculum school), I cannot recall her mentioning it being too easy or it was stuff she had already covered in primary/years 6-8. She went to a state school (selective) and I guess just like any other school there are some good and some really awful teachers (just like in a private school). The standard in years 11 and 12 (VCE) is definitely high and competition at the top end of her cohort was intense.
I'd suggest you come here as early as possible so that your kids are Aussie citizens at the time of entry into University - in case they require loans to assist with their tuition fees. This is because only citizens are eligible for FEE-HELP/HECS-HELP (Higher Education Loan Program). [url]http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/HelpfulResources/Documents/2014%20FEE-HELP%20booklet.pdf[/url]
I've only just worked out how the subject scores are calculated and it is so complicated! VCAA (VIC curriculum & assessment authority) claim the system is fair - some schools mark their children more harshly in the SACS whilst others are very generous with their marks. I'm still not sure whether or not the system is fair.
When my daughter moved here into Year 9 (from a British Curriculum school), I cannot recall her mentioning it being too easy or it was stuff she had already covered in primary/years 6-8. She went to a state school (selective) and I guess just like any other school there are some good and some really awful teachers (just like in a private school). The standard in years 11 and 12 (VCE) is definitely high and competition at the top end of her cohort was intense.
I'd suggest you come here as early as possible so that your kids are Aussie citizens at the time of entry into University - in case they require loans to assist with their tuition fees. This is because only citizens are eligible for FEE-HELP/HECS-HELP (Higher Education Loan Program). [url]http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/HelpfulResources/Documents/2014%20FEE-HELP%20booklet.pdf[/url]
We've had to pay the first two years in full because we're not yet eligible for HECS. We don't even get the prompt and full payment discount.
#68
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
The problem is that there are so many factors which normally determine when and why your family would be moving to Australia. All I know is that sometimes if we wait to try and get all the ducks in a row, then you never make the move. If it doesn't make any difference to you when the family goes to Qld, then wait the extra two years. But if there is a reason for coming in 2015, then just do it. If your daughter is doing very well then no doubt she would be able to catch-up or adapt to a new curriculum if she starts in Year 10 or Year 11 - it depends on how much work she is prepared to do. My kids have been to many different schools and they all adapted well and two of them have been working back in London for the last 5 years so the world is a very small place. My daughter is a lawyer and subsequently passed the English Bar Exam as well so the changes obviously didn't do her any harm.
We have been waiting for years to get all our Ducks in a row (I like that). It is impossible to get the perfect time when your kids are older, we should have moved when they were little. Then we had a lovely mother in law to look after, sadly she has passed away August last year. We have now got to the stage that we feel we just have to make it happen. If we don't do it summer 2015 we would have to wait until daughter has finished A levels, so another 4 years from then. Can't come now as No2 Son just started A levels. I have been member on here since 2002, so you can see the pull never goes away.
Thank you for your thoughts.
#69
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: England
Posts: 4,211
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
Hi Everyone
I have not made any inroads as yet with the emigration process to Australia, however I would like to emigrate in the near future, my dilemma though is whether I begin the process sooner rather than later as my son is in high school in year 7 and is above average in all subjects, I am unsure whether he should complete his studies in the UK or emigrate and finish school in Australia. Having read numerous posts I am unsure which education system is better. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this thanks in advance
I have not made any inroads as yet with the emigration process to Australia, however I would like to emigrate in the near future, my dilemma though is whether I begin the process sooner rather than later as my son is in high school in year 7 and is above average in all subjects, I am unsure whether he should complete his studies in the UK or emigrate and finish school in Australia. Having read numerous posts I am unsure which education system is better. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this thanks in advance
#70
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Oxford
Posts: 5
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
Shipton, I was very interested to ready your post. My daughter is at Oxford High in year 7 and has been there since year 2. We are seriously considering moving to Perth (Joondalup) in either September or December. I have looked at schools in the Perth area and there is one called Perth Modern School for gifted and talented students. I feel a bit presumptuous applying for such a school but I wonder, in your experience, if I'm being faint hearted?
I also need advice on which year group to enter. My daughter was born in August so has always been the youngest in the class. If we were to move in September - in her entry to year 8 in the UK - what should I do about which year to enter her into for school? Should she join year 7 and 'repeat' the end of the school year she just completed?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
I also need advice on which year group to enter. My daughter was born in August so has always been the youngest in the class. If we were to move in September - in her entry to year 8 in the UK - what should I do about which year to enter her into for school? Should she join year 7 and 'repeat' the end of the school year she just completed?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
#71
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
Hi.
Oxford High that my daughter attended is a selective high school so I am not sure which Oxford High your daughter is going to if she was there in primary school.
I must say that I know nothing about schools in Perth so I'm sorry but I can't give you any advice re the particular school that you are looking at.
Regards which year to put her in, I would definitely start her in Year 7 assuming you come back say in the September. Carly's birthday was in the September and even though she had done a year of high school in Oxford, she went into Year 7 at the local high school for the last term (we arrived back in the September). She was accepted in to Year 8 at North Sydney Girls High and started the following year. Applications for acceptance in Years 8 and above at selective schools are made directly to the school. I realised that they liked a "complete package" in applying for year 8 and above, unlike entry into Year 7 which was based solely on the result of the one exam that they all take. She was an outstanding athlete in different sports. It depends how many kids have left the school (moving overseas or interstate) as to how many vacancies there are in Year 8.
I called the Dept of Education in Sydney (from Oxford) and spoke to the section that dealt with entry into selective schools and they were very helpful in advising me what to do and what the criteria was. They sent me information and were happy for me to call back for further clarification. I am guessing there is something similar in Perth. Sorry that I don't know anything specific re Perth's education system.
My son gained entry to North Sydney Boys into Year 7 by sitting an "international examination" in Oxford. I can't remember if there was one or two exams. This exam/s is obviously set to test intelligence (I am assuming this?) so the student wouldn't be disadvantaged if he/she had been following a different curriculum in the UK. This was arranged by the education department in Sydney and held at his local primary school in Oxford under very strict conditions. There was a supervisor provided by the testing company and he obviously did the exam/s on his own. His local primary school was very helpful in facilitating this and he was able to sit the exams at the school....which was great as it reduced the stress for him. His birthday was the end April so he was going to be young for Year 7.
Hope that any of this helps. I would be contacting the Education Dept in Perth and talk to relevant people in the selective schools section. They would know what the situation is in WA, and maybe some advice about the particular school you are looking at and what is your best course of action. If you don't get a helpful person, call on another day until you do get someone who is helpful. The people in NSW couldn't have been nicer and made the whole thing easy for me. cheers
Oxford High that my daughter attended is a selective high school so I am not sure which Oxford High your daughter is going to if she was there in primary school.
I must say that I know nothing about schools in Perth so I'm sorry but I can't give you any advice re the particular school that you are looking at.
Regards which year to put her in, I would definitely start her in Year 7 assuming you come back say in the September. Carly's birthday was in the September and even though she had done a year of high school in Oxford, she went into Year 7 at the local high school for the last term (we arrived back in the September). She was accepted in to Year 8 at North Sydney Girls High and started the following year. Applications for acceptance in Years 8 and above at selective schools are made directly to the school. I realised that they liked a "complete package" in applying for year 8 and above, unlike entry into Year 7 which was based solely on the result of the one exam that they all take. She was an outstanding athlete in different sports. It depends how many kids have left the school (moving overseas or interstate) as to how many vacancies there are in Year 8.
I called the Dept of Education in Sydney (from Oxford) and spoke to the section that dealt with entry into selective schools and they were very helpful in advising me what to do and what the criteria was. They sent me information and were happy for me to call back for further clarification. I am guessing there is something similar in Perth. Sorry that I don't know anything specific re Perth's education system.
My son gained entry to North Sydney Boys into Year 7 by sitting an "international examination" in Oxford. I can't remember if there was one or two exams. This exam/s is obviously set to test intelligence (I am assuming this?) so the student wouldn't be disadvantaged if he/she had been following a different curriculum in the UK. This was arranged by the education department in Sydney and held at his local primary school in Oxford under very strict conditions. There was a supervisor provided by the testing company and he obviously did the exam/s on his own. His local primary school was very helpful in facilitating this and he was able to sit the exams at the school....which was great as it reduced the stress for him. His birthday was the end April so he was going to be young for Year 7.
Hope that any of this helps. I would be contacting the Education Dept in Perth and talk to relevant people in the selective schools section. They would know what the situation is in WA, and maybe some advice about the particular school you are looking at and what is your best course of action. If you don't get a helpful person, call on another day until you do get someone who is helpful. The people in NSW couldn't have been nicer and made the whole thing easy for me. cheers
#72
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
I also need advice on which year group to enter. My daughter was born in August so has always been the youngest in the class. If we were to move in September - in her entry to year 8 in the UK - what should I do about which year to enter her into for school? Should she join year 7 and 'repeat' the end of the school year she just completed?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
(My grandfather was Acting Head of Oxford High back in the 1950s!)
#73
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
Dear Shipton,
We have been waiting for years to get all our Ducks in a row (I like that). It is impossible to get the perfect time when your kids are older, we should have moved when they were little. Then we had a lovely mother in law to look after, sadly she has passed away August last year. We have now got to the stage that we feel we just have to make it happen. If we don't do it summer 2015 we would have to wait until daughter has finished A levels, so another 4 years from then. Can't come now as No2 Son just started A levels. I have been member on here since 2002, so you can see the pull never goes away.
Thank you for your thoughts.
We have been waiting for years to get all our Ducks in a row (I like that). It is impossible to get the perfect time when your kids are older, we should have moved when they were little. Then we had a lovely mother in law to look after, sadly she has passed away August last year. We have now got to the stage that we feel we just have to make it happen. If we don't do it summer 2015 we would have to wait until daughter has finished A levels, so another 4 years from then. Can't come now as No2 Son just started A levels. I have been member on here since 2002, so you can see the pull never goes away.
Thank you for your thoughts.
#74
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
My daughter completed Y7 in the UK at a grammar school, and was put into Y7 for the last term when we arrived in late August. It gave her time to make friends,find her feet and get to know the school. She didn't have to take the end of year exams either!! She is now at Uni, so it did her no harm to "drop back" so to speak. She is a January birthday but was young for her age, so RATHER THAN going into Y8, which she could have done academically, it was better for her socially TO GO INTO Y7, and it gave her extra time to mature before taking Y12 exams.
(My grandfather was Acting Head of Oxford High back in the 1950s!)
(My grandfather was Acting Head of Oxford High back in the 1950s!)
#75
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Re: UK High Schools or Australian High Schools
Hi Caroline Fancy your Dad being an acting headmaster at Oxford High in the 50s!...was it a selective school in those days. Totally agree with everything you said doing a term of Year 7 and then going into Year 8 the following year. Carly has been working as a lawyer in Guernsey for the last 5 years and has just got engaged so not sure when she'll come back to Sydney!!!!!