Schools in Sydney
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 9
Schools in Sydney
Hello
I am looking at renting a property in a location near the beach. As I have two children going to secondary school and one to primary, one of my main concerns is to find good public schools. Can anyone recommend good public schools in any of the areas below?
- Balgowla
- Brighton-le-sands
- Bronte
- Collaroy
- Narraweena
- Cronulla
- Dee Why
- Maroubra
- Mona Vale
- Rose Bay
- Sans Souci
- Vaucluse
Thank you, Catarina
I am looking at renting a property in a location near the beach. As I have two children going to secondary school and one to primary, one of my main concerns is to find good public schools. Can anyone recommend good public schools in any of the areas below?
- Balgowla
- Brighton-le-sands
- Bronte
- Collaroy
- Narraweena
- Cronulla
- Dee Why
- Maroubra
- Mona Vale
- Rose Bay
- Sans Souci
- Vaucluse
Thank you, Catarina
#2
Re: Schools in Sydney
Hello
I am looking at renting a property in a location near the beach. As I have two children going to secondary school and one to primary, one of my main concerns is to find good public schools. Can anyone recommend good public schools in any of the areas below?
- Balgowla
- Brighton-le-sands
- Bronte
- Collaroy
- Narraweena
- Cronulla
- Dee Why
- Maroubra
- Mona Vale
- Rose Bay
- Sans Souci
- Vaucluse
Thank you, Catarina
I am looking at renting a property in a location near the beach. As I have two children going to secondary school and one to primary, one of my main concerns is to find good public schools. Can anyone recommend good public schools in any of the areas below?
- Balgowla
- Brighton-le-sands
- Bronte
- Collaroy
- Narraweena
- Cronulla
- Dee Why
- Maroubra
- Mona Vale
- Rose Bay
- Sans Souci
- Vaucluse
Thank you, Catarina
Forget the schools...get the area you want and the property you can afford first and THEN ask around. Public schools in Sydney are generally good, particularly the Northern Beaches, but everyone here will tell you that their school is the best...I mean, who is going to admit to sending their child voluntarlity to a shite school!
As some aid for you, I group the suburbs you have listed into areas:
Brighton Le Sands and Sans Souci are on Botany Bay near the airport, demographic could be classed as Middle Eastern but with other mixes.
Rose Bay and Vaucluse are Eastern suburbs right on the harbour and expensive areas and you need money...lots of it!!
Balgowlah, Collaroy, Narraweena, Dee Why, and Mona Vale are Northern Beaches and a good mix for UK ex-pats to move to but again can be a bit expensive especially for a large family.
Bronte is next to Bondi and a good area but expensive.
Cronulla is the main beach area for Sutherlandshire, good for UK ex-pats and has reasonable housing costs.
Take into account your Visa, if Temp 457 you will have to pay public school fees of $4500 per year per child.
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 9
Re: Schools in Sydney
If everyone answered this the thread would be hundred pages long!!!
Forget the schools...get the area you want and the property you can afford first and THEN ask around. Public schools in Sydney are generally good, particularly the Northern Beaches, but everyone here will tell you that their school is the best...I mean, who is going to admit to sending their child voluntarlity to a shite school!
As some aid for you, I group the suburbs you have listed into areas:
Brighton Le Sands and Sans Souci are on Botany Bay near the airport, demographic could be classed as Middle Eastern but with other mixes.
Rose Bay and Vaucluse are Eastern suburbs right on the harbour and expensive areas and you need money...lots of it!!
Balgowlah, Collaroy, Narraweena, Dee Why, and Mona Vale are Northern Beaches and a good mix for UK ex-pats to move to but again can be a bit expensive especially for a large family.
Bronte is next to Bondi and a good area but expensive.
Cronulla is the main beach area for Sutherlandshire, good for UK ex-pats and has reasonable housing costs.
Take into account your Visa, if Temp 457 you will have to pay public school fees of $4500 per year per child.
Forget the schools...get the area you want and the property you can afford first and THEN ask around. Public schools in Sydney are generally good, particularly the Northern Beaches, but everyone here will tell you that their school is the best...I mean, who is going to admit to sending their child voluntarlity to a shite school!
As some aid for you, I group the suburbs you have listed into areas:
Brighton Le Sands and Sans Souci are on Botany Bay near the airport, demographic could be classed as Middle Eastern but with other mixes.
Rose Bay and Vaucluse are Eastern suburbs right on the harbour and expensive areas and you need money...lots of it!!
Balgowlah, Collaroy, Narraweena, Dee Why, and Mona Vale are Northern Beaches and a good mix for UK ex-pats to move to but again can be a bit expensive especially for a large family.
Bronte is next to Bondi and a good area but expensive.
Cronulla is the main beach area for Sutherlandshire, good for UK ex-pats and has reasonable housing costs.
Take into account your Visa, if Temp 457 you will have to pay public school fees of $4500 per year per child.
Appreciate your honesty as always. Schools are really important to us and one of our main concerns, not because of the quality, but due to transition from UK curriculum. The approach that I am taking is to look for the best schools in these locations and then based on that decide where to live...
I do appreciate your breaking it down by suburbs as this does help putting it all to perspective. Rather overwhelming..Regards
#4
Re: Schools in Sydney
Public High schools in the Eastern suburbs are very iffy. This is private school territory - there are dozens of them - but very few public ones. Four public high schools have closed in this area in the last 20 years or so, due to lack of patronage really.
There is only Rose Bay Secondary college (result of a merger of Dover Heights High and Vaucluse High) and the Randwick schools (seperate ones for boys and girls) to cover a very large area. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend either of them.
If you definitely want to send your children to public schools - don't live in the Eastern suburbs.
There is only Rose Bay Secondary college (result of a merger of Dover Heights High and Vaucluse High) and the Randwick schools (seperate ones for boys and girls) to cover a very large area. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend either of them.
If you definitely want to send your children to public schools - don't live in the Eastern suburbs.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 33
Re: Schools in Sydney
Hiya,
You know when you say beside the beach...emmm....I take it you are quite wealthy?.....3 beds Bronte...$2000 a week....Have a look....here
http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent...rchterm=bronte
The rental market in Sydney for normal Joes is very very scary.
We ended up in Newtown...which is a bit like Camden in London without the drugs. You are 10 minutes into the CBD which tends to have some good fee paying schools (15-20k).
When you are going to see an estate agent....ask them about the flight path (but do not believe a word of it)...the flight path is a bit weird here...hang around the property for 24hours...then ask the neighbours...see if you can put up with it before you pay deposite.
Anyway best of luck....once you start earning the Aussie dollar you tend not see the prices as horrendous as they are....
You know when you say beside the beach...emmm....I take it you are quite wealthy?.....3 beds Bronte...$2000 a week....Have a look....here
http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent...rchterm=bronte
The rental market in Sydney for normal Joes is very very scary.
We ended up in Newtown...which is a bit like Camden in London without the drugs. You are 10 minutes into the CBD which tends to have some good fee paying schools (15-20k).
When you are going to see an estate agent....ask them about the flight path (but do not believe a word of it)...the flight path is a bit weird here...hang around the property for 24hours...then ask the neighbours...see if you can put up with it before you pay deposite.
Anyway best of luck....once you start earning the Aussie dollar you tend not see the prices as horrendous as they are....
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 9
Re: Schools in Sydney
Public High schools in the Eastern suburbs are very iffy. This is private school territory - there are dozens of them - but very few public ones. Four public high schools have closed in this area in the last 20 years or so, due to lack of patronage really.
There is only Rose Bay Secondary college (result of a merger of Dover Heights High and Vaucluse High) and the Randwick schools (seperate ones for boys and girls) to cover a very large area. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend either of them.
If you definitely want to send your children to public schools - don't live in the Eastern suburbs.
There is only Rose Bay Secondary college (result of a merger of Dover Heights High and Vaucluse High) and the Randwick schools (seperate ones for boys and girls) to cover a very large area. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend either of them.
If you definitely want to send your children to public schools - don't live in the Eastern suburbs.
As we intend to place the children in public schools, it may be better not to look at these areas. I do appreciate your time in replying.
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 9
Re: Schools in Sydney
Hiya,
You know when you say beside the beach...emmm....I take it you are quite wealthy?.....3 beds Bronte...$2000 a week....Have a look....here
http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent...rchterm=bronte
The rental market in Sydney for normal Joes is very very scary.
We ended up in Newtown...which is a bit like Camden in London without the drugs. You are 10 minutes into the CBD which tends to have some good fee paying schools (15-20k).
When you are going to see an estate agent....ask them about the flight path (but do not believe a word of it)...the flight path is a bit weird here...hang around the property for 24hours...then ask the neighbours...see if you can put up with it before you pay deposite.
Anyway best of luck....once you start earning the Aussie dollar you tend not see the prices as horrendous as they are....
You know when you say beside the beach...emmm....I take it you are quite wealthy?.....3 beds Bronte...$2000 a week....Have a look....here
http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent...rchterm=bronte
The rental market in Sydney for normal Joes is very very scary.
We ended up in Newtown...which is a bit like Camden in London without the drugs. You are 10 minutes into the CBD which tends to have some good fee paying schools (15-20k).
When you are going to see an estate agent....ask them about the flight path (but do not believe a word of it)...the flight path is a bit weird here...hang around the property for 24hours...then ask the neighbours...see if you can put up with it before you pay deposite.
Anyway best of luck....once you start earning the Aussie dollar you tend not see the prices as horrendous as they are....
Unfortunately not really wealthy... but still high expectations!
I would really love to find a place near the sea (does not have to have sea view) and a good school. I know I am asking for rather too much, so down the line I will have to compromise either on the number of bedrooms (I need four) or property.
I guess will focus on the northern area..
Thank you
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Sutherlandshire, South Sydney
Posts: 19
Re: Schools in Sydney
Hi
Public schools in Aus are much like anywhere else in the world - some you will like and some you won't. They are free however you do pay for text books, stationary, school trips, sport..... so be ready for the notes home!
That said certain schools have a better name than others and I saw you mentioned Cronulla on your list. We are in the Sutherlandshire and there is a good choice of schools - many with good names. You can be in the shire and not too far from the beach and so pick the school you like most.
Most schools will send you prospectuses and you can arrange to wander around and have a look. We did that - used paperwork to make a short list and went with the one that felt right when we looked at it. In the shire certain highschools have reputations for being stronger in certain subject areas so that is something to consider in your choice.
Having said all that a school is important but so is living where you are all happy and have access to the facilities you need/want and can afford to be happy too. So I think you need to look around the area and also try to view 3 or 4 schools and see which one seems to feel right.
Public schools in Aus are much like anywhere else in the world - some you will like and some you won't. They are free however you do pay for text books, stationary, school trips, sport..... so be ready for the notes home!
That said certain schools have a better name than others and I saw you mentioned Cronulla on your list. We are in the Sutherlandshire and there is a good choice of schools - many with good names. You can be in the shire and not too far from the beach and so pick the school you like most.
Most schools will send you prospectuses and you can arrange to wander around and have a look. We did that - used paperwork to make a short list and went with the one that felt right when we looked at it. In the shire certain highschools have reputations for being stronger in certain subject areas so that is something to consider in your choice.
Having said all that a school is important but so is living where you are all happy and have access to the facilities you need/want and can afford to be happy too. So I think you need to look around the area and also try to view 3 or 4 schools and see which one seems to feel right.
#9
Re: Schools in Sydney
Hello
Unfortunately not really wealthy... but still high expectations!
I would really love to find a place near the sea (does not have to have sea view) and a good school. I know I am asking for rather too much, so down the line I will have to compromise either on the number of bedrooms (I need four) or property.
I guess will focus on the northern area..
Thank you
Unfortunately not really wealthy... but still high expectations!
I would really love to find a place near the sea (does not have to have sea view) and a good school. I know I am asking for rather too much, so down the line I will have to compromise either on the number of bedrooms (I need four) or property.
I guess will focus on the northern area..
Thank you
We all have high expectations of where we want to live but so do Australians and they pay big dollar for areas near water, mountians and views. You should have a reasonable expectation of what rental you can afford to pay and then use that as a guide. I fully understand wanting the best schools but you really do need some balance, look after your kids, don't be a martyr to them and make your home life unhappy.
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 33
Re: Schools in Sydney
I don't mean to put you off or anything. But is there any chance the kids could finish secondary school before you come. Have some mates whose 14yo daughter moved to 3 different schools. All very expensive private schools.
Teenage girls are rather horrible to each other. Maybe you have boys.
Anyway to cut a long story short they have had enough and are going to move to hong kong. Luckily dad got another transfer and jumped at chance in the hope his daughter settles better. Now wishes he let her finish education in uk.
Teenage girls are rather horrible to each other. Maybe you have boys.
Anyway to cut a long story short they have had enough and are going to move to hong kong. Luckily dad got another transfer and jumped at chance in the hope his daughter settles better. Now wishes he let her finish education in uk.
#11
Re: Schools in Sydney
I don't mean to put you off or anything. But is there any chance the kids could finish secondary school before you come. Have some mates whose 14yo daughter moved to 3 different schools. All very expensive private schools.
Teenage girls are rather horrible to each other. Maybe you have boys.
Anyway to cut a long story short they have had enough and are going to move to hong kong. Luckily dad got another transfer and jumped at chance in the hope his daughter settles better. Now wishes he let her finish education in uk.
Teenage girls are rather horrible to each other. Maybe you have boys.
Anyway to cut a long story short they have had enough and are going to move to hong kong. Luckily dad got another transfer and jumped at chance in the hope his daughter settles better. Now wishes he let her finish education in uk.
Kids are resilient and although it can be difficult moving in your mid teens (I know cos I have done it) if you are friendly enough it will work. Australia has a very transient community and a large Immigrant volume, schools and pupils are used to different kids coming in and out at different times.
What they also do here in some schools is they assign you a sponsor, another pupil from the school to mentor you and help you blend in. It does work very well and helps a lot.
#12
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,555
Re: Schools in Sydney
Newtown without drugs is like Warnie without sexting.
Hiya,
You know when you say beside the beach...emmm....I take it you are quite wealthy?.....3 beds Bronte...$2000 a week....Have a look....here
http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent...rchterm=bronte
The rental market in Sydney for normal Joes is very very scary.
We ended up in Newtown...which is a bit like Camden in London without the drugs. You are 10 minutes into the CBD which tends to have some good fee paying schools (15-20k).
When you are going to see an estate agent....ask them about the flight path (but do not believe a word of it)...the flight path is a bit weird here...hang around the property for 24hours...then ask the neighbours...see if you can put up with it before you pay deposite.
Anyway best of luck....once you start earning the Aussie dollar you tend not see the prices as horrendous as they are....
You know when you say beside the beach...emmm....I take it you are quite wealthy?.....3 beds Bronte...$2000 a week....Have a look....here
http://www.domain.com.au/Search/rent...rchterm=bronte
The rental market in Sydney for normal Joes is very very scary.
We ended up in Newtown...which is a bit like Camden in London without the drugs. You are 10 minutes into the CBD which tends to have some good fee paying schools (15-20k).
When you are going to see an estate agent....ask them about the flight path (but do not believe a word of it)...the flight path is a bit weird here...hang around the property for 24hours...then ask the neighbours...see if you can put up with it before you pay deposite.
Anyway best of luck....once you start earning the Aussie dollar you tend not see the prices as horrendous as they are....
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Sutherlandshire, South Sydney
Posts: 19
Re: Schools in Sydney
No doubt you have also thought about considering the commute to work for your OH. It does have a massive impact on your lifestyle so have a good look at that aspect, Sydney public transport is cheap..but thats because it is overcrowded and can be a bit hit and miss. Sydney CBD is like a Bus Park in the mornings with buses backed up the Bridge. Rail is better but can be extremely crowded and uncomfortable in the summer. Roads, if using car, well, thats a gamble in rush (lol) hour!
We all have high expectations of where we want to live but so do Australians and they pay big dollar for areas near water, mountians and views. You should have a reasonable expectation of what rental you can afford to pay and then use that as a guide. I fully understand wanting the best schools but you really do need some balance, look after your kids, don't be a martyr to them and make your home life unhappy.
We all have high expectations of where we want to live but so do Australians and they pay big dollar for areas near water, mountians and views. You should have a reasonable expectation of what rental you can afford to pay and then use that as a guide. I fully understand wanting the best schools but you really do need some balance, look after your kids, don't be a martyr to them and make your home life unhappy.
#15
Re: Schools in Sydney
Havind said all that my hubby commuted from south London to the city and never got a seat. Here he does sutho to Martin place always gets a seat and is forever commenting how the trains are much more reliable! Don't seemt o get the wrong type of leaves on the track here! hee hee