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Perth - 6 weeks in
OK, after all of the help that I received from this website I thought that I should write a few words of my first impressions of Perth. I don't seem to able to get on the internet as much these days and so I'll probably write again in about 6 months time with a more clued up report. These are obviously first impressions....
Arrived in early July with Singapore Airlines which were as good as ever. I think that there are two ways of looking at the flight - you either get it all over with and go for the shortest layover - which I think is too knackering. Or you spend anything from 6 hours to a couple of days in Singapore (don't forget that you have the airport hotel at Changi to recharge your batteries for short periods). I was lucky enough to stay with a friend initially which was a godsend. I was also lucky enough to start work 3 days after arrival which eased the cash situation. Just about as soon as I got out of the airport I logged on to the ATO website to get my TFN (tax file number) - this took about 10 working days to arrive at my address. I just delayed filling in my financial details with my employer until I'd received my TFN to avoid being clobbered at a high tax rate. I arrived as the advance party - my family arrive in the next 10 days - hence I've not been to Centrelink yet to register for family tax credit/child benefit etc. I also haven't yet registered for medicare - again I'll do it as a job lot next week. Would I advise you to arrive before your family? Possibly - but it depends on your circumstances. Although it has been difficult emotionally, it was definitely better for me to get started in work, get transport sorted out, get to know the area on my own rather than with the family in tow. But on the other hand I've found it difficult to get things done after work - a partner could be getting jobs done whilst you are at work. First thing I did was to get mobile - hired a car through Bayswater which were pretty good value. They do have a mixed reputation - my car was filthy and stank of fag smoke but for $23 a day I couldn't really complain. Get yourself a good quality street map as soon as you get here also. Contrary to other reports I have found the driving standards to be in line with the UK. The low speed limits really help - and I have seen so many police radar guns being used in school areas that you quickly realise that slow is best! Perth is basically city driving - and you have to be assertive. But generally it is fine. I have found the road signs and road arrangement to be dire though - very similar to Asian countries - ambiguous, small and absent signs have been my personal nightmare. I also think that in suburban streets, how the junctions have little warnings and are poorly lit are problem areas. Buying a car has been really stressful! Advertised prices are higher than the UK - although you do tend to get a bigger car. But some prices for 10 year old high mileage cars have been laughable. It took me 3 weeks but I eventually secured the car I wanted for a good price - in the end probably better than the price I'd get in the UK (and at least $2500 cheaper than the dealer was trying to charge). But I did masses of research and spent a few hours after work most nights looking in car yards and visiting homes - a complete pain. As is always the case - do your research (RAC WA has a good page on what to look for in a used car - even I could use and understand it and I'm a complete dunce with cars - BTW it's worthwhile to join RAC WA as an affiliate initially - just $20 - this then gets you access to their used car inspection service if you want it and cheaper full membership when you wish to take it out). I met a particularly dodgy character who was trying to sell a car.... For car yards - Albany Highway, Scarborough Beach Road are two areas which stand out for the number of places. John Hughes (dealer) was pretty impressive but they were the ones who were $2500 above the price I eventually got privately. West Australian saturday and Weds and Quokka (Weds) are good sources of ads - but be quick. Whilst the car search was ongoing I needed to keep renewing the car hire. My advice in summary - be patient. Good deals and decent owners are out there!!! Rental I've found Perth people to be extremely (and genuinely) friendly - just really nice. The one group of people who I have managed to take an instant dislike to are real estate agents. I don't think that I have encountered such disgraceful attitudes before. Rude, unhelpful, money grabbing would sum it up nicely. Be warned! Houses that I've seen have been expensive and poor value - and in some cases very dirty. We eventually got a decent furnished place for 6 weeks but are paying far too much for it. We intend to rent unfurnished when we know where the long term employment will be. Be very careful of lease contracts and make a point of filling in your contract conditions on the rental form. Be aware of the fee to the estate agent - one week's rent. This really hurt! It would hurt more if you had to pay this to a particularly nasty low life who exists in the murky world that is real estate. Education Not particularly impressed in this area - in fact it is currently one of the major reasons why we won't stay here forever. There is a move afoot to shift towards a more consistent curriculum (as in the UK) but it's all open revolt at the minute. I'm worried about inconsistent standards between classes and schools and teacher accountability - it's all a bit cloudy! General Perth as a city is great. Eating is out of this world - Asian food in Northbridge is excellent and good value. The cafes in Subiaco and Fremantle are great and there's just a real buzzing cafe society (and it's still winter!). The parks for kids are superb. Kings Park (and the views) is just stunning. I even like the much maligned CBD - had a great breakfast there this morning. The beaches look great, Rottnest is excellent. General facilties are very good - I went swimming the other day - what a joy after the crowded, dirty cold pool of my local in the UK! Organised activities for kids are also great. Beer's good, wine's good. Excellent public transport system. You can see why people never leave! It does though remind me of the UK 25 years ago. Shopping is inconvenient - I was in a mall yesterday and they started to pull the door shutters down at 4.50pm!! Late night shopping Thursdays! Internet use for business is less well developed (absent?). Industrial relations and union power remind me of the UK circa 1975. Costs - as I'd heard and kind of predicted - are in line with the UK. Supermarkets are disappointing - (relatively) poor range of goods and I think often overpriced. Eating out and take away are just great value though. And equivalent activities seem cheaper than the UK or free. One area of disappointment is the media - generally it's crap. Radio ABC national (810 AM!!) has some good discussion items and The Australian newspaper has saved me from mental health problems - but that's about it. I have found myself getting more into sport - it's now 4.30pm on Sunday and I never thought I'd be counting the minutes before the start of the next ashes test!! It remains to be seen whether we'll manage financially. I'll report back in a few months. It isn't all doom and gloom though - the tax system takes away but also gives substantial amounts back. It's bloody freezing in Perth today - but for those of you planning on arriving in Perth in winter there are some glorious days - 22 degrees and above. The locals tell me that we have about 4 weeks left of this before the weather turns and from what I can see the city will be a paradise. So at this early stage will we stay? Yes, at least for 2 years. After that it depends on what my views of the education system are - that will be the biggest influence. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to know - just 6 weeks though so I'm not sure how helpful I can be. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
great post mate, what area are you in?
the education thing is also heavy in our minds with a 4 and 2 year old to consider.we were out there in april and as you said it is a beautiful place and a kids paradise. we are still bit undecided about migrating but are doin our tra anyway as that would be a major chunk of time if we go for our visas. our 2 major concerns are the education and also the high tax and lower wages.we also found the general day to day living costs relative to the uk. one quick question how much is child benefit and tax credit for 2 kids (if you know) karl |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
The education may seem different to what you have been used to, but we do turn out alright in the end.
|
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by Siren & Brian
The education may seem different to what you have been used to, but we do turn out alright in the end.
i suppose some people just see different as being bad..... :) also having thick kids is a smallprice to pay for living by the beach with beaut weather 9 months of the year and parks around every corner... :D :D :D |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by baggie
also having thick kids is a smallprice to pay for living by the beach with beaut weather 9 months of the year and parks around every corner... :D :D :D
|
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by baggie
i suppose some people just see different as being bad..... :)
also having thick kids is a smallprice to pay for living by the beach with beaut weather 9 months of the year and parks around every corner... :D :D :D Southern suburbs by the way. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Great post, thanks for the info from someone about to be the "advanced party".
Definitely worth a bump up the list. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Try Villa italia in north bridge for great food :D
|
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by NKSK
OK, after all of the help that I received from this website I thought that I should write a few words of my first impressions of Perth. I don't seem to able to get on the internet as much these days and so I'll probably write again in about 6 months time with a more clued up report. These are obviously first impressions....
Arrived in early July with Singapore Airlines which were as good as ever. I think that there are two ways of looking at the flight - you either get it all over with and go for the shortest layover - which I think is too knackering. Or you spend anything from 6 hours to a couple of days in Singapore (don't forget that you have the airport hotel at Changi to recharge your batteries for short periods). I was lucky enough to stay with a friend initially which was a godsend. I was also lucky enough to start work 3 days after arrival which eased the cash situation. Just about as soon as I got out of the airport I logged on to the ATO website to get my TFN (tax file number) - this took about 10 working days to arrive at my address. I just delayed filling in my financial details with my employer until I'd received my TFN to avoid being clobbered at a high tax rate. I arrived as the advance party - my family arrive in the next 10 days - hence I've not been to Centrelink yet to register for family tax credit/child benefit etc. I also haven't yet registered for medicare - again I'll do it as a job lot next week. Would I advise you to arrive before your family? Possibly - but it depends on your circumstances. Although it has been difficult emotionally, it was definitely better for me to get started in work, get transport sorted out, get to know the area on my own rather than with the family in tow. But on the other hand I've found it difficult to get things done after work - a partner could be getting jobs done whilst you are at work. First thing I did was to get mobile - hired a car through Bayswater which were pretty good value. They do have a mixed reputation - my car was filthy and stank of fag smoke but for $23 a day I couldn't really complain. Get yourself a good quality street map as soon as you get here also. Contrary to other reports I have found the driving standards to be in line with the UK. The low speed limits really help - and I have seen so many police radar guns being used in school areas that you quickly realise that slow is best! Perth is basically city driving - and you have to be assertive. But generally it is fine. I have found the road signs and road arrangement to be dire though - very similar to Asian countries - ambiguous, small and absent signs have been my personal nightmare. I also think that in suburban streets, how the junctions have little warnings and are poorly lit are problem areas. Buying a car has been really stressful! Advertised prices are higher than the UK - although you do tend to get a bigger car. But some prices for 10 year old high mileage cars have been laughable. It took me 3 weeks but I eventually secured the car I wanted for a good price - in the end probably better than the price I'd get in the UK (and at least $2500 cheaper than the dealer was trying to charge). But I did masses of research and spent a few hours after work most nights looking in car yards and visiting homes - a complete pain. As is always the case - do your research (RAC WA has a good page on what to look for in a used car - even I could use and understand it and I'm a complete dunce with cars - BTW it's worthwhile to join RAC WA as an affiliate initially - just $20 - this then gets you access to their used car inspection service if you want it and cheaper full membership when you wish to take it out). I met a particularly dodgy character who was trying to sell a car.... For car yards - Albany Highway, Scarborough Beach Road are two areas which stand out for the number of places. John Hughes (dealer) was pretty impressive but they were the ones who were $2500 above the price I eventually got privately. West Australian saturday and Weds and Quokka (Weds) are good sources of ads - but be quick. Whilst the car search was ongoing I needed to keep renewing the car hire. My advice in summary - be patient. Good deals and decent owners are out there!!! Rental I've found Perth people to be extremely (and genuinely) friendly - just really nice. The one group of people who I have managed to take an instant dislike to are real estate agents. I don't think that I have encountered such disgraceful attitudes before. Rude, unhelpful, money grabbing would sum it up nicely. Be warned! Houses that I've seen have been expensive and poor value - and in some cases very dirty. We eventually got a decent furnished place for 6 weeks but are paying far too much for it. We intend to rent unfurnished when we know where the long term employment will be. Be very careful of lease contracts and make a point of filling in your contract conditions on the rental form. Be aware of the fee to the estate agent - one week's rent. This really hurt! It would hurt more if you had to pay this to a particularly nasty low life who exists in the murky world that is real estate. Education Not particularly impressed in this area - in fact it is currently one of the major reasons why we won't stay here forever. There is a move afoot to shift towards a more consistent curriculum (as in the UK) but it's all open revolt at the minute. I'm worried about inconsistent standards between classes and schools and teacher accountability - it's all a bit cloudy! General Perth as a city is great. Eating is out of this world - Asian food in Northbridge is excellent and good value. The cafes in Subiaco and Fremantle are great and there's just a real buzzing cafe society (and it's still winter!). The parks for kids are superb. Kings Park (and the views) is just stunning. I even like the much maligned CBD - had a great breakfast there this morning. The beaches look great, Rottnest is excellent. General facilties are very good - I went swimming the other day - what a joy after the crowded, dirty cold pool of my local in the UK! Organised activities for kids are also great. Beer's good, wine's good. Excellent public transport system. You can see why people never leave! It does though remind me of the UK 25 years ago. Shopping is inconvenient - I was in a mall yesterday and they started to pull the door shutters down at 4.50pm!! Late night shopping Thursdays! Internet use for business is less well developed (absent?). Industrial relations and union power remind me of the UK circa 1975. Costs - as I'd heard and kind of predicted - are in line with the UK. Supermarkets are disappointing - (relatively) poor range of goods and I think often overpriced. Eating out and take away are just great value though. And equivalent activities seem cheaper than the UK or free. One area of disappointment is the media - generally it's crap. Radio ABC national (810 AM!!) has some good discussion items and The Australian newspaper has saved me from mental health problems - but that's about it. I have found myself getting more into sport - it's now 4.30pm on Sunday and I never thought I'd be counting the minutes before the start of the next ashes test!! It remains to be seen whether we'll manage financially. I'll report back in a few months. It isn't all doom and gloom though - the tax system takes away but also gives substantial amounts back. It's bloody freezing in Perth today - but for those of you planning on arriving in Perth in winter there are some glorious days - 22 degrees and above. The locals tell me that we have about 4 weeks left of this before the weather turns and from what I can see the city will be a paradise. So at this early stage will we stay? Yes, at least for 2 years. After that it depends on what my views of the education system are - that will be the biggest influence. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to know - just 6 weeks though so I'm not sure how helpful I can be. What an honest and realistic post. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by NKSK
OK, after all of the help that I received from this website I thought that I should write a few words of my first impressions of Perth. I don't seem to able to get on the internet as much these days and so I'll probably write again in about 6 months time with a more clued up report. These are obviously first impressions....
Arrived in early July with Singapore Airlines which were as good as ever. I think that there are two ways of looking at the flight - you either get it all over with and go for the shortest layover - which I think is too knackering. Or you spend anything from 6 hours to a couple of days in Singapore (don't forget that you have the airport hotel at Changi to recharge your batteries for short periods). I was lucky enough to stay with a friend initially which was a godsend. I was also lucky enough to start work 3 days after arrival which eased the cash situation. Just about as soon as I got out of the airport I logged on to the ATO website to get my TFN (tax file number) - this took about 10 working days to arrive at my address. I just delayed filling in my financial details with my employer until I'd received my TFN to avoid being clobbered at a high tax rate. I arrived as the advance party - my family arrive in the next 10 days - hence I've not been to Centrelink yet to register for family tax credit/child benefit etc. I also haven't yet registered for medicare - again I'll do it as a job lot next week. Would I advise you to arrive before your family? Possibly - but it depends on your circumstances. Although it has been difficult emotionally, it was definitely better for me to get started in work, get transport sorted out, get to know the area on my own rather than with the family in tow. But on the other hand I've found it difficult to get things done after work - a partner could be getting jobs done whilst you are at work. First thing I did was to get mobile - hired a car through Bayswater which were pretty good value. They do have a mixed reputation - my car was filthy and stank of fag smoke but for $23 a day I couldn't really complain. Get yourself a good quality street map as soon as you get here also. Contrary to other reports I have found the driving standards to be in line with the UK. The low speed limits really help - and I have seen so many police radar guns being used in school areas that you quickly realise that slow is best! Perth is basically city driving - and you have to be assertive. But generally it is fine. I have found the road signs and road arrangement to be dire though - very similar to Asian countries - ambiguous, small and absent signs have been my personal nightmare. I also think that in suburban streets, how the junctions have little warnings and are poorly lit are problem areas. Buying a car has been really stressful! Advertised prices are higher than the UK - although you do tend to get a bigger car. But some prices for 10 year old high mileage cars have been laughable. It took me 3 weeks but I eventually secured the car I wanted for a good price - in the end probably better than the price I'd get in the UK (and at least $2500 cheaper than the dealer was trying to charge). But I did masses of research and spent a few hours after work most nights looking in car yards and visiting homes - a complete pain. As is always the case - do your research (RAC WA has a good page on what to look for in a used car - even I could use and understand it and I'm a complete dunce with cars - BTW it's worthwhile to join RAC WA as an affiliate initially - just $20 - this then gets you access to their used car inspection service if you want it and cheaper full membership when you wish to take it out). I met a particularly dodgy character who was trying to sell a car.... For car yards - Albany Highway, Scarborough Beach Road are two areas which stand out for the number of places. John Hughes (dealer) was pretty impressive but they were the ones who were $2500 above the price I eventually got privately. West Australian saturday and Weds and Quokka (Weds) are good sources of ads - but be quick. Whilst the car search was ongoing I needed to keep renewing the car hire. My advice in summary - be patient. Good deals and decent owners are out there!!! Rental I've found Perth people to be extremely (and genuinely) friendly - just really nice. The one group of people who I have managed to take an instant dislike to are real estate agents. I don't think that I have encountered such disgraceful attitudes before. Rude, unhelpful, money grabbing would sum it up nicely. Be warned! Houses that I've seen have been expensive and poor value - and in some cases very dirty. We eventually got a decent furnished place for 6 weeks but are paying far too much for it. We intend to rent unfurnished when we know where the long term employment will be. Be very careful of lease contracts and make a point of filling in your contract conditions on the rental form. Be aware of the fee to the estate agent - one week's rent. This really hurt! It would hurt more if you had to pay this to a particularly nasty low life who exists in the murky world that is real estate. Education Not particularly impressed in this area - in fact it is currently one of the major reasons why we won't stay here forever. There is a move afoot to shift towards a more consistent curriculum (as in the UK) but it's all open revolt at the minute. I'm worried about inconsistent standards between classes and schools and teacher accountability - it's all a bit cloudy! General Perth as a city is great. Eating is out of this world - Asian food in Northbridge is excellent and good value. The cafes in Subiaco and Fremantle are great and there's just a real buzzing cafe society (and it's still winter!). The parks for kids are superb. Kings Park (and the views) is just stunning. I even like the much maligned CBD - had a great breakfast there this morning. The beaches look great, Rottnest is excellent. General facilties are very good - I went swimming the other day - what a joy after the crowded, dirty cold pool of my local in the UK! Organised activities for kids are also great. Beer's good, wine's good. Excellent public transport system. You can see why people never leave! It does though remind me of the UK 25 years ago. Shopping is inconvenient - I was in a mall yesterday and they started to pull the door shutters down at 4.50pm!! Late night shopping Thursdays! Internet use for business is less well developed (absent?). Industrial relations and union power remind me of the UK circa 1975. Costs - as I'd heard and kind of predicted - are in line with the UK. Supermarkets are disappointing - (relatively) poor range of goods and I think often overpriced. Eating out and take away are just great value though. And equivalent activities seem cheaper than the UK or free. One area of disappointment is the media - generally it's crap. Radio ABC national (810 AM!!) has some good discussion items and The Australian newspaper has saved me from mental health problems - but that's about it. I have found myself getting more into sport - it's now 4.30pm on Sunday and I never thought I'd be counting the minutes before the start of the next ashes test!! It remains to be seen whether we'll manage financially. I'll report back in a few months. It isn't all doom and gloom though - the tax system takes away but also gives substantial amounts back. It's bloody freezing in Perth today - but for those of you planning on arriving in Perth in winter there are some glorious days - 22 degrees and above. The locals tell me that we have about 4 weeks left of this before the weather turns and from what I can see the city will be a paradise. So at this early stage will we stay? Yes, at least for 2 years. After that it depends on what my views of the education system are - that will be the biggest influence. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to know - just 6 weeks though so I'm not sure how helpful I can be. Do you have the internet at home yet, and if so, how is it compared to U.K? |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by Tiawamutu
What a great post NKSK. Very interesting points there..
Do you have the internet at home yet, and if so, how is it compared to U.K? |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
It was great to read your post, we move to North suburbs in 7 weeks and so was really helpful to hear your views, many thanks Nic.
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Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
NKSK
Did you pay a letting fee for short term furnished accom?? If so then someone is really taking the p**s. You should have called us all the homes we offer are excellent quality and start from $300pw fully inclusive. I'm glad you like Perth, it really is a fantastic city to live in. As for the education, don't be too hard on it, as Brian says it's different and different is just that, not worse, not better, just different. My kids are far happier at school here than they ever were before, and in my mind kids in a happy environment will learn better and at the end of it all they will be educated to the same standard as all the other school leavers in the state they live in, it doesnt matter if thats different from those on the other side of the world. Have a great time exploring when the family get here!! :) Lynn |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by movetoperth.com
As for the education, don't be too hard on it, as Brian says it's different and different is just that, not worse, not better, just different.
|
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by renth
I reckon it's worse, quite a bit worse.
Tracey |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by tracey brien
Can you clarify what you mean by worse?
My kids have had the misfortune of having a load of terrible teachers here, teachers who simply don't like kids, can't be bothered attitudes. They're not all bad, of course,the girls have had 2 really good ones but my boy has done particularly badly out of this move. We all know they start the kids later, also the cut off dates are different so my boy, being born in August essentially went back at least 2 years academically when we came here, that's a pretty big deal for a 6 year old. Combine that with sh*t teachers and It's been nothing short of a disaster. As I mentioned before, a couple of weeks ago he was doing "the wheels on the bus go round and round" - a song he did at playgroup in the UK - imaging how that feels for a little kid? Also, when we arrived he was a fluent reader and he was forced to sit through all that "annie apple" crap. OK, they all even out in the end but making any kid go back 2 years is a pain in the butt. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by renth
Sure,
My kids have had the misfortune of having a load of terrible teachers here, teachers who simply don't like kids, can't be bothered attitudes. They're not all bad, of course,the girls have had 2 really good ones but my boy has done particularly badly out of this move. We all know they start the kids later, also the cut off dates are different so my boy, being born in August essentially went back at least 2 years academically when we came here, that's a pretty big deal for a 6 year old. Combine that with sh*t teachers and It's been nothing short of a disaster. As I mentioned before, a couple of weeks ago he was doing "the wheels on the bus go round and round" - a song he did at playgroup in the UK - imaging how that feels for a little kid? Also, when we arrived he was a fluent reader and he was forced to sit through all that "annie apple" crap. OK, they all even out in the end but making any kid go back 2 years is a pain in the butt. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by john_w
hi just read your post and getting a bit worried about education for children now i have 1 daughter aged 11 in april 2006 and will be starting high school in uk in sept 06 till visa comes through and 1 son who is in reception due to go into year 1 in sept 06 can you tell me the term time difference so what class year would they be in in oz please in jan 07 if thats when the new term year starts thanks for any info
I suspect there isn't a better or worse, the two countries likely have different teaching styles. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by ScottDavis
I wouldn't be too worried about the views of people on here.
|
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by Tiawamutu
Why is that?
Oops :rolleyes: |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by ScottDavis
Sorry now I reread it, it is a bit of a sweeping generalisation. I meant that someone cannot form a solid view of a countries standards of education in 6 weeks.
Oops :rolleyes: I'll let you off ;) :D |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by ScottDavis
Sorry now I reread it, it is a bit of a sweeping generalisation. I meant that someone cannot form a solid view of a countries standards of education in 6 weeks.
Oops :rolleyes: As a teacher and as a parent! |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by NKSK version 2
Well, it's now 6 months and I've still got concerns.
As a teacher and as a parent! My problems start when people say generally that the education in Perth/ Australia/wherever is rubbish compared to the UK. That is so obviously crap. Every single child is different. You (people generally, not you in particular ;) ) could have two children in the same class and perform completely differently. I hope you can sort out any problems you are having. How is the rest of life for you and yours. Have the rest of the family settled in? Are you still in the same rental or moved on? Love to hear. Apologies for the minor rant, not getting at you just the generalisations that are made :D |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by moneypen20
I do understand where you are coming from, our childrens education is very important to us parents but....... Your concerns are with YOUR child. You are finding that the education YOUR child is receiving in THEIR particular school compares unfavourable with the education THEY received in their prior school. I realise these are your views.
My problems start when people say generally that the education in Perth/ Australia/wherever is rubbish compared to the UK. That is so obviously crap. Every single child is different. You (people generally, not you in particular ;) ) could have two children in the same class and perform completely differently. I hope you can sort out any problems you are having. How is the rest of life for you and yours. Have the rest of the family settled in? Are you still in the same rental or moved on? Love to hear. Apologies for the minor rant, not getting at you just the generalisations that are made :D Who is someone to judge a countries schooling system based on one childs performance? There seems to be an awful lot of "numpties" in the UK or England? for the education system to be that brilliant. :scared: Different does not mean worse. You can always plump for private if it concerns you that much! :eek: There is also the option of going home to the "brilliant" English system. :confused: I guess you have many choices open to you. Good Luck with your decision. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by moneypen20
I do understand where you are coming from, our childrens education is very important to us parents but....... Your concerns are with YOUR child. You are finding that the education YOUR child is receiving in THEIR particular school compares unfavourable with the education THEY received in their prior school. I realise these are your views.
My problems start when people say generally that the education in Perth/ Australia/wherever is rubbish compared to the UK. That is so obviously crap. Every single child is different. You (people generally, not you in particular ;) ) could have two children in the same class and perform completely differently. I hope you can sort out any problems you are having. How is the rest of life for you and yours. Have the rest of the family settled in? Are you still in the same rental or moved on? Love to hear. Apologies for the minor rant, not getting at you just the generalisations that are made :D I accept what you are saying but my view is not just as a parent judging the quality of teaching my child receives (which I have to say has been OK so far!). My concerns are also from a teaching perspective - seeing the system in operation, having regular (probably more regular than the average parent) contact with the Department of Education, talking with colleagues. Still the months pass and I'm just not gaining in confidence in the system but my reasons why are crystralising. Lack of rigour, an over emphasis on sport, a lack of accountability in schools, a dept for ed which does not seem to put the interests of the child at the forefront of its operations but rather its own interests (with huge knock-on effects for teachers (and therefore the kids in their care), a curriculum planning body which really does not seem to have a clue what is going on. My child has just changed schools and I feel more comfortable now than at any time in the last 7 months about her education - but I still have this deep uneasiness about her long term future in the system. Don't get me wrong, some English schools scared the bejeezus out of me also - but, I trusted the system, the rigour, I felt that the teaching was generally high standard, the powers that be were child centred and in the main competent (compare and contrast!). My concerns in the UK were centred around the kids who were disruptive and ruined the others' chances of a good education. (trouble is, you get that here also although it does depend on your suburb) |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
I agree with everything in the OP although i am also really happy with my school. my 8 year old has never enjoyed school so much and as a consequence of that enjoyment seems to be learning more. Her writing has also improved 10 fold. This is my daughters 3rd primary school now and if anything the changes have given her a different kind of education, more social and tolerant of others. The laid back attitude in the classroom here will always benefit some kids (like mine) and hinder others the same as the results driven attitude back in UK will do the same.
Some parents will love the schools, some will hate them but my advice is let the kids do the talking, if they like going to school they will learn more and to me that is what is important. |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Originally Posted by tracey brien
Can you clarify what you mean by worse? We have been here since April and my children, who are 5 and 8 seem to be doing fine. Granted the younger one is the only one out of his class that can read but that could be because he started full time school at 3 years 3 months of age in the UK. My older son has actually improved in his handwriting and reading, which were poor subjects for him in the UK.
Tracey Our beaches are beautiful, and we have made lots of nice friends. Estate Agents, i agree, they are just out to make money, and i hated renting, i am so glad to be in our own house now. Denise |
Re: Perth - 6 weeks in
Wonder what the general feel would be to my worry.
Have 2 kids age 14 and 7, 7 year old had her problems to start with , but with much communication with the school and teachers (one particular teacher brilliant), is now doing well, above average school says :D 14 year old,went to secondary school and went from strength to strength, well on her way to passing exams and wants to go to university :D At this moment i am extremely worried about swapping them into a differnt education system, would love to have a crystal ball and see what happens?? As I don't have one what would be the genral opinion of folks on here. As everyone else on here we have not entered the emmigration lightly, but the more research i do about education the more worried i become, i don't want, especially 14 year old, to spoil the hard work they have put in to their education. :( From another worried mum :scared: |
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