coansha

Please could anyone give me some honest/unbiased advice on schools, my daughters have attended international schools(Spain) and am a bit of a quandary about the local schools. I totally appreciate funding etc for public schools just as in the UK is a problem, maybe it is because they have been to independent schools? We wanted advice from any other Expats and their school experiences.
I would like anyone from Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra or the Gold coast please, we are off to check out these areas soon, we are currently south of Sydney.

many thanks!

ABCDiamond

A figure for you : 32% of Australian Children go to the various independent schools.

Unlike the UK, these schools do receive funding from both the State and Federal Governments, and so are able to offer realistic fees to Residents.

These fees can vary from $700 per year upwards. In my area, a common annual fee will be from $3,000 to $6,000, but down to about $700pa for the Catholic independent Schools.

We have used both State & Private, and do prefer the private system, although we also know people who have found equally good State schools locally.

coansha

Thanks, we have tried public, not impressed, now in Catholic(the answer to my mothers millions of hail Marys that at least one of her grandchildren might be catholic) system, but after a happy start, whilst volunteering found not 1 but 4 kids in class with attention disorders!! How they concentrate is beyond me, my eldest was classed as gifted but we are getting no extra help as promised to keep her stimulated. It is a hard one, we want a balanced life, but their education is quite important to us and may determine where we settle eventually, I can see us going the whole hog and totally private, they have only ever known that system and we were happy with it, also as you say it is much cheaper here than UK or Europe, I know local schools differ from area to area, but they have come from a real academic school and loved it, it could be the Catholic guilt in me coming out!!
cheers,

walla

me kids are in private Catholic Education, no complaints really as the church subsidise it, heavily

Teri

Have you looked into Anglican schools? Here are some to look at on the Gold Coast. I know that the first two (single sex schools) both have gifted programmes. The other schools are all co-ed, but I believe also very good and possibly also have some gifted programmes. I think that they are all independent, so can be pricey $8000 + per annum - but if your child is gifted then you may be able to get a bursary?

TSS - http://www.tss.qld.edu.au --- boys only
St Hilda's - http://www.sthildas.qld.edu.au ---- girls only
Somerset College - http://www.somerset.qld.edu.au
All Saints Anglican College - http://www.asas.qld.edu.au
Coomera Anglican College - http://www.cac.qld.edu.au/home.htm

coansha

Teri, that will be tonights job! Obviously you know the area, where would you suggest looking in terms of living in relation to the schools??
We are possibly trying the gold coast first to have a look at, so any info would be mucha appreciated when you have the time.

thanks!

Teri

Hi. It all depends entirely on which school you decide on.

St Hildas and TSS are both in Southport. I am not too sure on All Saints. Coomera College is in Coomera and Somerset college is in Robina. Our son will be going to TSS, and have looked at a number of different areas from Hope Island, Coomera and then Benowa on the other end - even Robina. We feel that the Gold Coast really is not that big so travelling is not a huge issue. So we will select a place based on its appeal and if the price is right - not on the travelling.

Have fun looking at the websites!

goldcoastrealestate

http://realestategoldcoast.net/goldc...st-schools.htm

My kids go to Coomera Anglican College. Brilliant school - very caring and not too big. Did go to St.Hildas before that for six years.

Happy to give a review on all the schools if required.

Teri

Excellent link. I believe that Coomera is really good, we were about to apply there, but then got word that we had been accepted at TSS...

Any review on TSS (good and bad)? My son is extremely sporty, especially in cricket, tennis and golf, so we thought TSS quite a good match for him.

goldcoastrealestate

Perfect choice!

Excellent sporting facilities and reputation. Of course, the school fees help to give you the best!

goldcoastrealestate

Oh and for tennis . . . .

http://pro-onetennis.com.au

Teri

Thanks.. good to hear. Yup... the school fees are quite high, but we do only have the one and decided a long time ago we would make the sacrifices.

Hubby will have to cut out his weekly visit to the beautician and maybe do his own waxing... .... LOL!

coansha

Thanks for the reply. I have emailed them for a prospectus, also had a look at your website(thanks again) how did you find St.Hildas? Class sizes etc??
Can i ask why you left? We are looking for an area/school to keep us all happy, kids love school, a complete pair of girlie swots, and love drama classes dancing etc are these nearby? We also like to use our boat water skiing and I love theatre & shows, I don't mind travelling but would be ecstatic if we could find a bit of something for everyone, any ideas of suitable areas that are hopefully reasonably priced, would be very appreciated, our friends are coming to join us soon so there will be more of us.
What is the Coomera area/school like?

cheers,

claire

goldcoastrealestate

Will send you an email why.