CDM

I realise this is a 'how long is a piece of string' type question but I'm trying to get a feel for how much it would cost to put my kids through private education in Melbourne.

Currently, they are 1 1/2 & 2 1/5 and we're about 3-12 months away from arriving.

We're looking at the Mordialloc area of town (give or take).

Can anyone give any advice or indication of the sorts of costs we'll be looking at?

- CDM

Geelong Gent

General info:
ELC starts at 3 ends at 4
They have a year between called Prep
Then 12 years

Rate depends on school and level of activities they (your kids) get involved.

We pay about $2K per month per child
Most schools will charge an intro fee ($1400 in our case)

Remember the other fees:

• Uniforms/School bags
• School trips
• Endless fundraising dinners (average $140 per head) or requests for donations

You don't need an expensive 4wd, but no chip on shoulders allowed.

Finally: warning not all schools are worth the money. We are happy with ours but have heard horror stories from parents coming from other so called elite schools.

Buzzy--Bee

We live in Mordialloc.

I reckon the nearest private schools are Mentone Girls Grammar School http://www.mentonegirls.vic.edu.au/home or St Bede's http://www.stbedes.melb.catholic.edu.au/

The fees for all completely private schools in Melbourne seem to be about $8000 per year in the early stages to just under $20,000 per year for teenagers.

HTH

Buzzy

bigAPE

Bayside and Mordialloc have excellent state schools due to the competition from the private schools. In fact at our kids school there is normally is a huge exodus from the state system at year 5. Not so this year, many parents have opted for state secondary over private as they are so well respected.

jad n rich

Also, with the huge rises in cost of living many can no longer afford it, thats the case round here, some of the privates that had big wait lists are now advertsing for students.

The_Pom_From_Aus

If you all do some research you will find you can get your kids a very good education at state schools there are some that offer a mix bag of curriculum that suits your children. some people say state schools are crap some are some are very good, you must look at the Yr12 results for private against state this is the true reflection the results may just surprise you all.

Remember its what is best for your children NOT You, ask the schools what subjects they may provide & if its the best option for the children then its a family decision meaning involve the kids after all they will be attending the school.????

melbournegirl

Your kids can either go to a public school, catholic school or private school.

Public schools are low cost/free education. Of course you have to pay for uniforms and other type fees but it is minimal.

Catholic schools are generally more expensive than public but not as expensive as private schools. For example, my kids go to a Catholic primary school (Bayside area) and we pay about $1000 per year for both of them.

Private schools range from about $5000 per year to about $20,000 per year. depending on the age of the child and the school. The costs increase as they get to the senior level. The more elite the school the more it costs.

In the mordialloc area there is a boys Catholic school - St. Bede's which starts at year 7. It costs about $3000 per year.

There is also Mentone Grammar (co-ed) and Mentone Girls Grammar. Look at their websites for more info re. fees.

There is also St. Leonards (independent school) which has a campus in Carrum as well as a campus in Brighton.


Try this website for more info:

http://www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au/


Generally speaking most parents send their kids to either public schools or catholic schools for primary level then maybe private for secondary.

The_Pom_From_Aus

melbournegirl;

well said i could not have put it better myself, at the end of the day when the kids do there VCE state, catholic, private the results speak for them self, i know private schools doctor the books for exam results to make them look good however the Yr12 VCE exams are the same for all then you can think whats the best all exam results are printed in the newspapers unless a child request not to have theres printed. But if you look well ahead to view all exam results it will give you a better feel for the future.

Geelong Gent

Hope you can substantiate this claim, especially since you have made it in a public forum.

If they "doctor the results" then what is the point in reading the newspapers?

The point the OP should be aware of is watch out for schools that either filter out students to ensure top results or schools that actively snap up high achievers in the later years and claim all the hard work of other schools - this happens in either public or private. Now how do you find this out? well you get off your rse and visit the schools in your area and use a gut feel for the school.

It does not matter whether it is public or private in terms of getting a good education in Victoria.

It does matter that you choose a school within your means and that you feel comfortable with - the biggest and most important factor being your relationship with the teachers. My view is its a team relationship and if you don't work together your child suffers.

Not particulary a useful comment. Not all students will complete VCE and it does not have any bearing on the rest of school life which is far more important in the development of the child.

As usual you make assumptions based on one variable in the education of youth and make even wider misguided assumptions on intentions of parents with basically more options in life.

UK-2-OZ

My son attends Catholic School and it is $3500 per year plus books, uniform etc, it is a great school, the children are well educated, and most importantly they love it

The_Pom_From_Aus

Geelong Gent;

you have made some very valid comments, as you say its a two way thing student & teachers. lots of parents want there kids to live there dream & thats a shame its not fair on the kids.