ali south

Where do I begin, I feel I know so little about what to do next.
If we arrive in Queensland next August when should I put my kids in school bearing in mind one of them will have just finished her GCSEs?
Also private or public?
I would really appreciate any information about education for kids in this age range. Also any experiences that may be of help to me, I do not mind if they are negative.
We think we may head towards Noosr but again we are not sure where to go......
I am rambling, please share your knowledge. Thanks

ali south

also, how much money do we need to allow if we decide on private education
thanks

jad n rich

School year runs from end jan to mid december, exam preperations and then exams can be anywhere from august to November, depending on kids birthdays abilities they could be anywhere from grade 9 to grade 12. In Qld most finish grade 12 aged 17.

School fees, state is free, but not quite true as you buy everything yourself. Church which is still partly funded by the state may only be $4000 upwards in highschool. Real private can be near $20,000+ for the top, but dont worry the waiting lists will be from birth , but you might find some places in middle range schools under $10,000. These figures are obviously just guides, there are so many add ons like levies, funds, equipment that they end up higher anyway.

One tip, teens here are fairly fast compared to english kids, parties/booze, cars, total freedom at 16/17 they need to be streetwise early, most are trying to fit a job in at 15 as well, the english kids seemed to have far more time to concentrate on school with less distractions, make sure they are mature and responsible and independant when they arrive, adult enough to deal with jobs/cars/heavy social life as well as school or it might end up way down the list of distractions.

melbournehelp

Come on all you new queenslanders, help this member out .bumped

DPD

I'm not sure about QLD, but the local Private Schools in my area both cost around the $2500 mark. When you compare them to the local public schools, you get a considerably better education.

MrsDagboy

Many private schools are not too expensive (especially compared to the UK). in our area (bayside) here are a list of school links & a guide to price (yes, you will have to add uniforms & some extras to the list).

Ormiston College - Application Fee: $140 (non refundable)

Confirmation Fee: $450

One-off Building Fund Donation (tax deductible): $500

After entry to the school, fees are billed each term (there being 4 terms in each year). Fees per term for 2004 are:

Junior School (Prep School to Year 7): $1,297.00

Senior School (Year 8 to Year 12): $1,497.50

These fees include: Tuition Fees, Excursion Levy, Building Fund Contribution (tax deductible) and Resource Bookshop Levy. A charge for School Camp is billed in the term in which the camp is being held.


Moreton Bay College (Girls only) - Years 8-12 $7,344

Redlands College

Years 8-10 $3,508 p/a
Years 11-12 $3,728 p/a

Sheldon College

Not sure on price, doesnt seem to be mentioned on the website, but I believe its around $1500/term (4 per year).

Kimberley college - Year 8 & up only

Kimberley College
41 Kruger Road
Carbrook
Tel: (07) 3287 9600
Fax: (07) 3287 6155

Fees from $1860, no extra levies. Class sizes are supposed to be very small (down to 11 in year 11 & 12)

Faith Lutheran

Fees for last year were Senior School $2,800 per year + $70/term classroom levies + $200 building fund/year/family


These are just some of the schools around here, the most popular ones. As you can see there are plenty around that are affordable, whether you can get in or not is really hit or miss - I know a couple of families whos daughters have been accepted at different schools before they even got here & another family whos son has been knocked back for a place in Year 8 at one school despite them applying now & hes only in Year 6.

It really depends on where you are planning to live, here is another website that list schools & may be helpful

http://www.ozschoolguide.com/

Hope this helps.
(thanx to ABC who collected some of the above fees & info)

ali south

thank you to everyone who has replied, serioulsly spooked about the comments about our teenagers needing to be more streetwise. coming from London this was not what we expected

Olibeneli

How long ago were you in the UK.......most 16/17 years olds round my way have part time jobs to fund their social life which is well hectic....hanging around street corners necking alcopops to 2am......

I'd love to see more streetwise kids elsewhere 'cos the lot around me scare me stiff........

You do know that the UK has the highest rate of teemage births in europe don't you.....it's how they keep themselves amused on street corners.....and sone girls have races to see who gets preggers first......lovely.

NickyC

That probably depends on where you live and what is offered in the way of local activities. If you live in a country or outer-suburban area where the kids have to travel a long distance for entertainment or to see their friends and public transport is not good then they're more reliant on driving themselves (or you driving them). We live in a busy part of Sydney so everything my kids want or need is within walking distance.

Mine are 16 and 18 and seem like babies compared to me at that age. One drives and the other is learning but no way are they street-wise. They have no time for a heavy social life or desire to hang around street corners or shopping centres (too busy with school, sport and other activities anyway) - and they're no different to their friends so not unusual. It's also extremely difficult for under-age kids to get drink of any kind and the penalties for allowing under-age drinking are severe. It may well be different in country Queensland but thats the reality in my part of Sydney.

Sure some teenagers do drive, party and drink (like they do everywhere) but it's not necessarily the norm.

jad n rich

February this year, lived there from 1993 to 2000 and prior to that my oz backpacker does the London gig for three years, wife is from Uk and two of our sons have been partly educated in the UK one through some of his teenage years.

Teenage urge to sow the oats, try drugs, hit the booze comes from hormones not location, but here they have money and cars so young (15 in New Zealand, 16 in some states) it makes a big difference. Recent survey most 15/16 year olds claimed they had tried sex or drugs some both, all of which is a lot easier if you have own car to hang out in

Kids anywhere here are not allowed to buy booze, does not stop them getting it tho, not just regional queensland. Kids may not Need a car in cities but plenty have them, especially from the suburbs, Sydney/Perth etc drive round at night, you'll see plenty of kids with cars hanging out on street corners and shopping centres. I dont see that as bad its just normal teenage social life thats what they did here 20 years ago and still do it now. Drugs far worse in places like sydney and Melbourne but they are anywhere, some of the top notch schools too, I really cant say regional/coastal/country areas are that much different except if the kids family live close enough to the city they may manage without a car for a bit longer.

surfdude

If your are planning to settle in the Bayside area of Brisbane I would highly recommend Sheldon College - strict but fun, fair and friendly. To see the seniors walking around tipping their hats to say good morning/afternoon, is an absolute delight. The courtesy and respect is well known within the area. The teachers are totally committed and young, which helps the students in many aspects of life and education. The fees are very reasonable approx. $1400. per term (x 4) with books, uniform, music on top of that.

Best of luck in your search.

ali south

Fantastic response, thank you so much