Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Hello peeps,
We're heading to Brisbane in September and I am currently researching schools as that will playa big part dictating where we live.
On the bettereducation website it show results of OP, 1-5 and a percentage 1-15. What does this mean, or what's its equivalent in uk scoring. What do Uni's look for? And is there anything else I need to look out for?
Thanks for reading ;)

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

OP (Overall Performance) scores in Qld are awarded at the end of yr12 a st school and range from 1 (best) to 25 (worst).

Entry to uni courses is determined by OP score with the 'slackest courses requiring only an OP15 and the toughest an OP1.

In terms of trying to compare OP scores to equivalent A level results I'm not sure how you'd go there....

I did once find a chart that mapped out IB (international Baccalaureat [sp?]) scores to 'equivalent' A level scores and a similar chart mapping IB scores to Qld OP scores - but I cant find them again - you'll need to google hard to find them!

Basically any OP1-5 score is a good score and should ensure entry to uni for all but the toughest subjects (Law, Medicine, Vet Science etc)

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

http://www.britishcouncil.org/au-edu...qualifications gives you some sort of equivalents

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

This is a very useful thread, thankyou to all who have contributed :thumbup:

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Thanks guys for ur info ;)

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

The OP system is administered by the Queensland Studies Authority - see their website at:

http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/

and for more than you ever really wanted to know about the OP see:

http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/..._op_basics.pdf

The OP score that students need will depend on what they want to study and where. If it's medicine or veterinary science or dentistry then most places require an OP1, (along with specific admissions tests for some courses at some unis). I think about 2% of OP students achieve an OP1.

You can find out more about uni admission requirements by looking at the uni websites. In Brisbane these are:

University of Queensland -
http://www.uq.edu.au/study/index.html?page=1098

QUT -
http://www.qut.edu.au/study/applying...e-applications

Griffith -
http://www.griffith.edu.au/admission...y-requirements

If the student wants to study outside of QLD then they apply to have their OP converted into an ATAR score (which is what all the states give at the end of year 12).

The OP seemed very confusing to us when we first moved here, but we've learnt to live with it.

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Does anyone happen to have guide lines for a op to atar conversion (just to get a bigger picture)

Thanks for this, hopefully I'll get my head round it a n do right by the children :)
;)

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

QTAC deals with QLD uni applications and they have a page that might help:

http://www.qtac.edu.au/Applying-Curr...dmissions.html

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

You're a star, thanks do much, can't wait to get home now and start working on it ;)

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Hi how old are your children, mine are now 16 and 12 and we were in australia ,mango hill northside of brisbane for 6 years (may 2006 till a few months ago) the schools are much better in education than uk but cost a bit more,we are now back in uk due to family but will be going back to oz in the next five/ten years as we are all citizens of australia
any questions please ask
trev

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Thanks Trev ;)

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Not to put too fine a point on it - but that is hotly debated.

I have no recent experience of UK schooling so cant offer an opinion, but its certainly not as cut and dried as the above statement seems to imply.

My kids (8 & 6) attend the local public primary school and until this year we've been very happy with them. They've done a great job at looking after our 8yr olds specific needs and trying to keep her engaged..... UNTIL THIS YEAR....

<rant>
This year Qld saw the introduction of the National Curriculum for English and Maths. Having spoken to parents and teachers from a wide range of public schools it seems they are all struggling. EQ are apparently being particularly fussy in public schools about compliance with various standards and many schools are strictly adhereing to the vision of "All kids learning the exact same thing at the same time no matter where they are". Whilst a completely standardised approach may have some value for those in the middle of the bell curve - our kids approach to learning is NOT standardised and I dont have a 'standard' kid. Kids who are slower to pick thing up are being left behind and feeling very stressed, kids who are natural learners are getting bored with the lack of extension and enrichment to the curriculum. A quick search of any of the big Australian parenting forums and you'll soon find armies of angry queenslanders disappointed in how their schools seem to have abandonned common sense teaching for excessive regulation, paperwork and testing.

We are so disillusioned with the way our daughters schooling has gone this year we are pulling her out and transferring next year to the high priced private sector where hopefully the reality can come close to the hype, stories from other parents and the sales pitch and they can offer an education tailored to the students needs rather than to some bureacratic checklist.
</rant>

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

Hi
I stand corrected and as we have been in australian schools for the last six years with our children and just moved back to the uk we have upto date experience of both schooling but as stated in our opion we find that the school we have our children in at present is far better in handling children but i will point out that the children do get higher schooling in australia than here in uk
trev

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

That is a HUGE generalisation. You are obviously happy with the education your children have received in their school(s) in Australia and that's great but you can't suggest for a minute that means "children do get a higher schooling in Australia than the UK".

My husband is a highly experienced secondary school teacher here in Melbourne and has also worked in Scotland and London schools. The particular school he works in here in Melbourne is a state school in a very expensive suburb. He thinks the school does not stretch the kids academically and have very little resources however they are very keen to encourage sporting/outdoor pursuits.

Australia is a huge, developing country and it's education system is extremely varied from state to state and school to school.

Re: Schools in Brisbane, understanding OP
 

i think you need to read the above quote from me and not copy others