can anyone out there help 2 v confused parents ( it doesn't take much!!!! ). We are moving to Sydney area v soon and are hoping that there must be someone out there already who has knowledge on state vs private schooling and the cost of private schools....starting with the cheapest first. !!!!!

Also, anyone in the Sydney area let us know what we're letting ourselves in for....It would be great to know !!

In anticipation .........

I'm an expert on private schools in the Eastern suburbs but don't know much about any other areas.

Sydney is a VERY large city with thousands of schools. Do you have any idea of where you will be living? How old are the children?

Have a look at the Board of Studies site as a starting point - http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/parents/index.html. They have a list of all private schools in NSW. Link to list of state schools is http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/school...ator/index.php

thank you so much for replying. We are hoping to move to either Coogee, Maroubra or Bondi, ( In that order of preference).Unless you know of any other gems that we don't know of yet........

Our children, Lois is 7 (8 In February 2006) and Barnaby who is 16 months old.....Obviously only looking for a school for Lois !!!!

Are you in the eastern suburbs ?

Funnily enough, I live in Coogee!

Coogee has a couple of state schools (Coogee and Coogee South) plus Clovelly is nearby. Clovelly school has a particularly good name and Coogee South also. Never heard much said about Coogee school.

There are two Catholic primary schools in the area - St Brigid's and St Anthony's. Both quite small and as they're systemic Catholic schools (run by the Catholic Education Office) their fees are low.

My kids (both boys) did primary at Claremont College, which is a private co-ed school in Randwick, up the hill. We were very happy with it.

There are plenty of other schools nearby - Randwick has it's own state and Catholic schools, same with Bondi and Maroubra and all suburbs in between.

St Catherine's is the main private girls school in this area. It's not far away, in Waverley, and has a prep (primary) school. Had my kids been girls, they'd probably have gone there - it's an excellent school with a very good name. Have a look at http://www.stcaths.nsw.edu.au/index.cfm.

There are other private girls schools, but they're further away. Ascham is at Edgecliff and Kambala and Kincoppal (catholic) are both at Rose Bay. All have prep schools and good reputations - but none of them are cheap!

Hope it helps...

Another important question - are you on a temporary or permanent visa?




Jeremy

We are initially going in on a long term temporary business visa.............457 I think, with a view to permanancy. does this help ?

to be fair i don't have much to do with the visa side of things as my hubby is the one who is getting it and I'm just follwoing !!!! ( giving up my medical studies for life in Oz !!!!) Tell me I'm not mad ....?

Hi

I think JMJ's question is because in NSW (I believe) you have to pay (approx) $4500 a year for government schooling on temp visas. Schooling is different state to state so this varies wildly.

I don't know how this amount effect private schools, depending on how they are funded you may have to pay the fees plus the additional or just fees.

Good luck, I went to SCEGGS (Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School) Darlinghurst loved it if that helps, although it is probably a bit far if you want to be totally local

Regards
Abby

Sorry typo JAJ

Yes correct $4500 per child on 457 in - check your husband is getting school fees included in LAFHA.

Nickyc can give you best advice that I have heard on this site about schools in the area you are looking.


Cheers