darrens1

Family of four moving out to Perth November 2010. Daughter 13 (14 in Dec) who's currently at a private school in the UK. Son will be 9 in October.
Both are good at sports, especially swimming. Came over in May to validate visa stayed NOR (Kingsley) but have friends SOR (Canning Vale). Can anyone recommend a good school (Private or State) or advise us of a link so that we can look at school stats (ie value added)
My son is currently in a Catholic School and we would like to continue with this type of schooling in Perth. Currently looking to rent a furnished house but would ideally like to be in a catchment area close to a good school.
Can anyone recommend a good school NOR or SOR

Any feedback welcomed as it getting stressful now.

Thanks

Darren & Joanne

HelenTD

Have a look at the My Schools website: http://www.myschool.edu.au/ which gives you a general idea about how well a school is going.

I had a quick look at Canning Vale College, the state high school, and it doesn't look too good. It looks like their NAPLAN results are below or substantially below similar schools. The blurb also says "Canning Vale College is home to a large number of students with a non English speaking background. The college also welcomes and supports students with leaning difficulties." Where there are a large number of ESL students, often a lot of resources are spent getting those kids up to speed in English so that they participate.

I don't know as much about SOR schools as others on BE, but state schools with good reputations are Rossmoyne, Willeton, John Curtin College of the Arts, Mt Lawley. I've heard mixed reports of Como and Kent Street: NAPLAN results not too good, same with Leeming and Thornlie. Private schools I've heard good things about are All Saints', Murdoch College, Penrhos (girls), Wesley (boys). There's also Aquinas (boys).

NOR, state high schools with the best reputations would be Shenton College and Churchlands, good reputations at Carine and Duncraig (but Carine's NAPLAN results dodgy), same can be said about Padbury, some happy with Ocean Reef. Private: the really expensive ones are MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, St Mary's, Mercedes, Perth College (all girls). Expensive boys ones: Christ Church, Scotch College, Hale, Trinity. Cheaper ones (mixed): Newman, John XXIII, St Stephen's, Sacred Heart, St Mark's. Others like Lake Joondalup Baptist College, Prendiville. More private ones NOR, but I can't remember names at moment.

Entry into gifted and talented programmes at state schools available also, plus private school scholarships.

Just be aware that just because you have the money, or the right religion, it can still be very difficult to get into a private school. Also, just because it's private, it doesn't mean to say that it's good or that it might suit your child.

NOR, focus in on Duncraig: good high school and several primary schools to choose from, plus private ones. Reasonable rents, some reasonably-priced houses to buy.

Hope that's given you something to get on with!

darrens1

Thanks for you help, I will look into those that you mentioned.
Ref Canning Vale: This was a place we stumbled upon as an ex work associate is now living their. Short visit, liked the suburb and style of houses (New Houses) ref schools: Interesting comments. Haven't yet done a great deal of research, hoping to save a little time by gaining valuable input from others who have done their own research. Based on those comments Canning Vale College is one to cross off the list

The problem we have at the moment, is finding a furnished rental, ideally in a a good catchment area for schools. If you know of anybody interested in renting then please pass on our details or we can contact direct.
Many Thanks again for your prompt response.

Regards

Darren & Joanne

HelenTD

Furnished places are harder to find and are usually aimed at short-term stays, or longer-term for students or executives. The stayz.com.au website has a lot of places listed, but it's a very expensive way to go. You would be better off renting an unfurnished place in the catchment area for the school, and buying the basics and live "camping style" until your stuff gets here from the UK or you can afford to buy locally. It is possible to pick up bargains from garage sales, gumtree, the quokka, or from noticeboards at local shoppping centres.

There are many nicer suburbs than Canning Vale, both north and south of the river. Have a look at the boundaries for the state high schools and look up suburbs on reiwa.com.au or domain.com.au.

darrens1

Thanks for your advise which we have taken on board. If its okay may PM you with some other questions. We are looking more North than South now !!

Thanks

Again

micged

Basically the PSA schools (boys) are Wesley (SOR), Guildford (hills), scotch (NOR), christ church (NOR), trinity (city), aquinas (SOR) and Hale (NOR) - these are considered the elite boys schools - slight variation in price with the catholic ones (aquinas and trinity) being a fair bit cheaper.

the IGSSA schools (girls) are St mary's, MLC, PLC, St Hilda's, Iona (All NOR), Santa Maria, penrhos (both SOR), perth college (iona and santa are catholic)

A very good co ed school SOR is all saints in bulls creek and john 23rd is an excellent catholic coed school NOR.

all these schools run excellent sports programmes as well as music arts etc but you pay for them. they are very hard to get into the junior schools - you are more likely to find places at senior school

sorry don't know much about the state schools - these are by no means the only decent schools in perth

I suggest you get onto the websites to have a good look - you can also have a look at www.ais.wa.edu.au - it has links to all the private schools in wa.

good luck