Having a nice time but not learning anything
Sep 29th 2005, 8:32 am
#31
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
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Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
One thing for prospective migrants, don't come to Australia to try to get away from perceived inadequacies in the British system. I often see it in lists of why people emigrate and I shake my head and think, "just you wait"
Sep 29th 2005, 8:40 am
#32
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Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by renth
One thing for prospective migrants, don't come to Australia to try to get away from perceived inadequacies in the British system. I often see it in lists of why people emigrate and I shake my head and think, "just you wait"
We need to look at what we dont like about the UK and see whether or not moving to a new country will change anything. We are all very fortunate in that we have a fantastic opportunity that many others do not get. That is to be able to have the choice to move to Australia or not. If its only the education system that puts you off then perhaps you should try and look at some home tutoring to supplement it!!!!
Tracey
Sep 29th 2005, 10:02 am
#33
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,347
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Very good post, Exactly whats good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander.
Bella (Sue) Mentioned Steiner, When our first born came along, we where very idealistic, and sought out Steiner and Montesorret (sp) type schools. She basically had her 3 years of Education in this fashion. When you send a child to this kind of school you also have to Live the life (IE: limited or no TV, thinking about every aspect of exposure to the world that they have). Now because the people that send children to these schools, are normally very idealistic, things become a tad extreme. Therein lies the fault in those alternative types of schools. Our oldest still, although now to a much lesser degree, has trouble relating to mainstream people. I put that down to being on the edge of mainstream society in her very early schooling.
When we Started putting Daughter no 2 through the same system, I decided that this whole alternative thing wasn't for me in particular, Lets just say it was an extremely interesting time at home. I got my way, and we put the other 3 kids through mainstream schooling.
Problem was, I'm the sort of person, that likes a dose of Benny Hill after watching with the same amount of interest, "the habits of the nomads in the far eastern Sahara" or has one meal down the Health food shop, and the next at Macdonalds.
Steiner and Montesorret great in theory, but can the parents actually live it, and live with the other parents, that school their kids that way.
Bella (Sue) Mentioned Steiner, When our first born came along, we where very idealistic, and sought out Steiner and Montesorret (sp) type schools. She basically had her 3 years of Education in this fashion. When you send a child to this kind of school you also have to Live the life (IE: limited or no TV, thinking about every aspect of exposure to the world that they have). Now because the people that send children to these schools, are normally very idealistic, things become a tad extreme. Therein lies the fault in those alternative types of schools. Our oldest still, although now to a much lesser degree, has trouble relating to mainstream people. I put that down to being on the edge of mainstream society in her very early schooling.
When we Started putting Daughter no 2 through the same system, I decided that this whole alternative thing wasn't for me in particular, Lets just say it was an extremely interesting time at home. I got my way, and we put the other 3 kids through mainstream schooling.
Problem was, I'm the sort of person, that likes a dose of Benny Hill after watching with the same amount of interest, "the habits of the nomads in the far eastern Sahara" or has one meal down the Health food shop, and the next at Macdonalds.
Steiner and Montesorret great in theory, but can the parents actually live it, and live with the other parents, that school their kids that way.
As with everything, some folk will take it to the extreme - others will just take what they need from the best of it. Extremists aren't any fun in any guise...
Sue
Sep 29th 2005, 10:30 am
#34
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Location: Sunshine Coast
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Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Jake is studying 'interpersonal relationships' this term. In the Uk he was told about eggs and sperm etc. Here they are talking about relationships first. However, todays lesson involved writing 3 ways that you would like a girl/boy to show that they cared for you. Needless to say most of the boys wrote 'root me' or variations 
. They were also asked to draw their ideal partner - Jake's mate drew a woman with big breasts cooking. The girls wrote stuff about maturity and honesty - ha ha. Anyway, it lead to a good class discussion (and dinner discussion at home).
. They were also asked to draw their ideal partner - Jake's mate drew a woman with big breasts cooking. The girls wrote stuff about maturity and honesty - ha ha. Anyway, it lead to a good class discussion (and dinner discussion at home).
Sep 29th 2005, 11:16 am
#35
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
Steiner and Montesorret great in theory, but can the parents actually live it, and live with the other parents, that school their kids that way.
I eventually went on to win an award for excellence in Year 12 English, achieving the highest score in the state.
Sep 29th 2005, 12:23 pm
#36
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede
I went to a Montessori school, and loved it. When I finally moved to a state school, I was well ahead of my peers.
I eventually went on to win an award for excellence in Year 12 English, achieving the highest score in the state.
I eventually went on to win an award for excellence in Year 12 English, achieving the highest score in the state.
) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know 
Sep 29th 2005, 1:01 pm
#37
Worongary
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: GC hinterland
Posts: 10,288
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by moneypen20
But if you are a "boffin" (sorry first born's word, not mine ) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know
) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know no i dont agree
As that gets us into a nature or nurture discussion
personally I believe that its mostly nurture and that any child ( within reason )
can be taught, for example children brought up in a home with two languages
easily learn to speak both fluently, in the early development years they are like little sponges and take it all in by repetition, its only later on in life that we have to learn anything where the advantage lies with intelligence
thats my theory anyway
regards
steve
Sep 29th 2005, 1:18 pm
#38
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by steve`o
no i dont agree
As that gets us into a nature or nurture discussion
personally I believe that its mostly nurture and that any child ( within reason )
can be taught, for example children brought up in a home with two languages
easily learn to speak both fluently, in the early development years they are like little sponges and take it all in by repetition, its only later on in life that we have to learn anything where the advantage lies with intelligence
thats my theory anyway
regards
steve
As that gets us into a nature or nurture discussion
personally I believe that its mostly nurture and that any child ( within reason )
can be taught, for example children brought up in a home with two languages
easily learn to speak both fluently, in the early development years they are like little sponges and take it all in by repetition, its only later on in life that we have to learn anything where the advantage lies with intelligence
thats my theory anyway
regards
steve
Sorry, a bit of light hearted fun at the expense of Vash
Sep 29th 2005, 2:23 pm
#39
Fighting my corner
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 11,948
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by moneypen20
But if you are a "boffin" (sorry first born's word, not mine ) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know
) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know I do have glasses, so perhaps I am a boffin.
Sep 29th 2005, 7:14 pm
#40
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by wombat42
Education is a waste of time. The Pom system turns kids into intellectual boring nerds . The OZ system where kids muck around all day playing sport ,having a good time and learning nothing is much better.
Sep 29th 2005, 7:36 pm
#41
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Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Melbourne.
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Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
[QUOTE=RReed]Asked my kids (in state school) what they thought..
Daughter 11yrs = School work is easier than the uk. Curriculum more varied (doing surfing lessons at the moment). More creative stuff - art and music. More 'character building' stuff like doing speeches, elections for prefects.
Wish i went to that school !
Daughter 11yrs = School work is easier than the uk. Curriculum more varied (doing surfing lessons at the moment). More creative stuff - art and music. More 'character building' stuff like doing speeches, elections for prefects.
Wish i went to that school !
Sep 29th 2005, 10:37 pm
#42
Ex BE ***** Addict
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,770
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
[QUOTE=lor]
Arn't kids bound to enjoy a school much more if they are not being made to actually work? I know I would much prefur to go to an Aussie school from the sound of it but I still think learning how to read,write, maths and sciences is more important than being able to make a good speech or being good at sport? Also from the amount of homework they seem to get wouldn't that imply they go to school to play and leave the actual work untill they get home? I know from my school experiance that when a teacher wanted an easy lesson and didn't want to work they would start a debate or something like it to pass the time quicker.
Originally Posted by RReed
Asked my kids (in state school) what they thought..
Daughter 11yrs = School work is easier than the uk. Curriculum more varied (doing surfing lessons at the moment). More creative stuff - art and music. More 'character building' stuff like doing speeches, elections for prefects.
Wish i went to that school !
Daughter 11yrs = School work is easier than the uk. Curriculum more varied (doing surfing lessons at the moment). More creative stuff - art and music. More 'character building' stuff like doing speeches, elections for prefects.
Wish i went to that school !
Sep 29th 2005, 11:08 pm
#43
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by RReed
Jake is studying 'interpersonal relationships' this term. In the Uk he was told about eggs and sperm etc. Here they are talking about relationships first. However, todays lesson involved writing 3 ways that you would like a girl/boy to show that they cared for you. Needless to say most of the boys wrote 'root me' or variations . They were also asked to draw their ideal partner - Jake's mate drew a woman with big breasts cooking. The girls wrote stuff about maturity and honesty - ha ha. Anyway, it lead to a good class discussion (and dinner discussion at home).
. They were also asked to draw their ideal partner - Jake's mate drew a woman with big breasts cooking. The girls wrote stuff about maturity and honesty - ha ha. Anyway, it lead to a good class discussion (and dinner discussion at home).Sperm and egg lessons were back in grade 7
the boys go with a man teacher the girls with a woman and watch a video then have a discussion, bet the teachers draw straws for that job, the parents have to sign permission slips for them go and there is always one poor bugga whos mother decides its best she goes too :scared: the kid must die having mum along Theres a ritual involved the grade 6's who cant get in eagerly await any contacts in grade 7 coming out and lunch hour is spent giggling at why the teachers were calling shagging sexual intercourse etc
I think grade 7's a bit late these days, all of my sons grade 6 class are paired off already.
Sep 30th 2005, 12:38 am
#44
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Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
Originally Posted by moneypen20
But if you are a "boffin" (sorry first born's word, not mine ) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know
) would that have happened anyway if you had spent your early years in a state school. We will never know Rachel
Sep 30th 2005, 12:42 am
#45
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Joined: May 2004
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 535
Re: Having a nice time but not learning anything
[QUOTE=arkon]
There seems to be more variety in the oz system. As well as the 'fun' stuff there are maths clubs and debating clubs. I think the most important thing of for kids to enjoy learning not how much they learn. If they enjoy learning they will continue to want to learn throughout their life. Attainment at school is not be b all and end all.
Originally Posted by lor
Arn't kids bound to enjoy a school much more if they are not being made to actually work? I know I would much prefur to go to an Aussie school from the sound of it but I still think learning how to read,write, maths and sciences is more important than being able to make a good speech or being good at sport? Also from the amount of homework they seem to get wouldn't that imply they go to school to play and leave the actual work untill they get home? I know from my school experiance that when a teacher wanted an easy lesson and didn't want to work they would start a debate or something like it to pass the time quicker.