School query
 

Been having a look on google and it's a bit confusing so was hoping someone could shed some light:) In the UK my children attend a Church of England primary school and I was wondering what the equivilent in Perth is? I know there are State schools, Independent and Catholic schools. I am happy for them to attend the local state school but do they teach religious education? Is it only the Independent schools that practice religion and to what level - i believe you have to pay for these? We are not a very religious family but the children really enjoy this aspect of school life ie church visits, Brownies, Rainbows, sunday school, even RE in class and i would like them to be able to continue it if possible.

If i felt the local catholic primary school was a better school, would we have the option of attending that school or must you be a catholic (ie do they enrol a certain percentag of non catholic).

Thanks in advance for any help.

Re: School query
 

hi

My children go to a catholic school. It was by appointment and there was a sliding scale of 'attributes' for new entrants..

so catholic children were taken first, then children who had been baptised in any christian faith, then children whose parents wanted them to be catholics etc. Icant remember the full table but I can get it if it helps.

The big factor was that the parents shouldn't be anti christianity as they said it was unfair for a child to get taught ideals at school and then mocked at home.

Once one child is in all siblings automatically get a place.

we are not catholics or tied in to any particular belief system. my children were though christened before coming to Australia and I wanted them to have a more holistic unbringing where christianity was part of the basis.

then they have a similar beginning to I and can choose which way they want to go. the school was also excellent and one of my children I felt needed a stricter approach. It costs around $80 a week I think for 2 children including all the levies.

i dont think that is every week, it may be that I calculated it over less weeks.

Re: School query
 

Thank you Odyssey that is really useful information. We do not practice any religion but were brought up going to church (much enjoyed as children) and would like our children to carry on being taught similar things. If they choose to continue this as they are older then great, I would just like them to be taught about religion and christianity in school. I have 3 children and they have not been baptised - again a choice we have made, so this may affect the type of school they can attend?

Re: School query
 

My kids are not baptised and have been to Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist & Presbyterian schooling most of their school lives. Catholic schools have to take a certain percentage of non-catholics.

Re: School query
 

Hi, Our experience has been similar to Odyssey's - we live in Sydney and our eldest son goes to a Catholic school. We have a Christian background (me Church of England and my husband Methodist) and wanted our children to attend a school with a strong framework of ethics.

Our local public school didn't feel right so when talking to other mums the Catholic education system was suggested. Catholic schools seem to be a good middle ground between public and independant private schools. We pay about $1,000 per term.

Our school \ Church didn't mind that we weren't Catholic.

By the way, Church of England is called Anglican here - there are a few Anglican schools in Perth.

Good luck!

Re: School query
 

Hi Betty,

My children go to a State School (QLD)and receive the same sort or religious education I did at their age in the UK at my local primary, there is the religious teacher that goes in and gives a weekly lesson, there are the church services (Easter etc etc), the children can opt out of the religious lessons if they want to but it is pretty much the same at their school as it was back in the day in mine. :)

Re: School query
 

Thanks for the feedback guys:) Seems like i need to research a bit more on each school now then visit when we get there before making the decision. I know there is a very good Catholic Primary where we are hoping to live, but if it is $1000/term then i doubt we will be able to afford it long term as we have 3 children:lol: There is also a very good state school, thank you Macy for informing me about the RE lessons, i wasnt aware they took these lessons and attended church etc. Do they have morning assemblies with prayers, etc? I am making it sound like I am very religious, I am not:o but i do know at their young age my children get a lot out of this and enjoy learning about God and the Bible:)

Can anyone tell me if the High Schools have feeder schools from primary school? Over here the High school they go to will usually depend on the Priamry school they have gone to - or is it soley based on location? How do you find out the catchment areas and criteria for enrollment?

Sorry for all the questions:o

Re: School query
 

Catholic schools usually reduce fees for each subsequent child...and a lot of catholic primary schools are cheaper than 1000 per term around the country I think.

High schools have catchment areas in brisbane. Can see them on state government education department website.

Re: School query
 

Hi again,

Where we live in Sydney the public school 'zones' are available on their websites. We found the zoning to be quite strict, it was rare for schools to consider children outside the zone.

I believe Catholic schools give the places to children in the Parish first before looking at applications from elsewhere.

To give you a breakdown of $1,000 per term: $700 on set fees, $300 on uniform, stationery and fundraising contributions. Comparing with friends I've found our Catholic school has less flexibility with uniform options (which I like), so overall uniform can work out more expensive than a public school.

All the best, Sarah

Re: School query
 

If your combined family income is under approx $116,000 (3 children) you will be able to claim education expenses (including family internet charges) from the govt up to $397 for every child at primary school, and up to $794 for every child at secondary school. See the education tax refund for more.

Re: School query
 

The 2 state primary schools in Perth that my children have attended had no religious instruction lessons. They have learnt a little in the Society & Environment lessons but not much. My eldest now goes to an Anglican Private school and obviously has RE and goes to Chapel once a week. I don't think you will find what you are after in a state primary school.

Re: School query
 

Thank you, i have had a look at that - very useful to know!

Re: School query
 

Sorry - I dont know how to multi quote:o I think you may be right, I will have to do more investigating, we plan to move back to the Hills region - Kalamunda, maida vale, high wycombe areas, so i will focus on the schools around there, any recommendations greatly received:)

Re: School query
 

Have a look at the two links below:

http://csa.edu.au/csa

http://www.ais.wa.edu.au/

We live in SA so I cannot comment personally on WA, but you can have a look at the schools on those links. It depends what you want, here in SA, there are some schools that would be considered 'very' Christian and those that are Christian in name only.

Not sure if there are State Anglican schools in WA but I have not heard of any in Adelaide - maybe there are though. Most of the Christian schools in SA teach Christian studies and many do not teach other faiths.

Cooler

Re: School query
 

I also have 3 children but in the catholic school, 3 wasnt so much more than 1 really. My first went to a lovely state school but I did feel that perhaps the ethical/moral teaching wasnt quite as strong. I am not saying it wasnt there, it was and I thought it was a lovely school but I just felt it was a little bit less than I wanted.

I actually think its because times have changed and I wanted more the type of "if your morals are right then everything else falls behind approach" that I had. And i didnt want excuses or leniancy in terms of that - for me its not a choice, its vital that the school and I have the same stance. With 3 I found it harder to be completely on the case and with a strict, loving school its definately become easier for me at home.

Its just very well defined and the $80 odd dollars a week has sort of crept into our budget as a necessity - I think paying much more for childcare pe-age 5 helped there.

I am glad i made the switch personally but if I hadnt I would have been happy state. Our area is very nice in general but in some areas i lived in sydney I know it wouldnt have been the same.

good luck!

I also love the way the children are taught compassion and charity. and in state and catholic school here the environment is a core topic - its great!!!