Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Hi, ss you would expect I have been doing some research into schools in the Perth area prior to our move and have become aware of the specialist programmes that some of them offer.

My son is mad keen on rugby and I have been told by his coaches he has definite potential (I know nothing about rugby so am not being biased!). I have discovered that Ocean Reef HS and Thornlie HS offer the rugby programme and it would be great if I was able to get him a place on one of these.

It appears they run trials for future year 8s in May every year but my idea is to move June/ July after the end of the school year here so my son can enter year 10 half way through and have 6 months to get to grips with the Oz curriculum but also have secured his GCSE’s in the UK.

Anyway, my question is does anyone have any experience of securing places for their kids in these specialist programmes especially if they are nor entering the high school in year 8? And obviously as I am guessing it is probably pretty competitive is preference given to native aussies?

Thanks

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Hi, as far as I know, the programmes are open to anyone who shows ability in that area. Try writing/emailing to the school to let them know your situation, and ask if it's possible to sit the test at another time, or to provide some other evidence of your son's ability. Our area's high school offered my child a place on their programme without sitting the exam, as I was able to provide a report on ability. I think that the schools run a 2nd assessment, in about November, but the arrangements are made by each school. Ocean Reef's programme looks much extensive and covers a lot of subject areas.

If it's a choice between living in Ocean Reef or Thornlie, us NOR (north of river) dwellers would tell you to go for Ocean Reef Senior High School, rather than Thornlie. Ocean Reef and nearby suburbs have a very different demographic than Thornlie. The SOR dwellers on this site might be able to sing its praises. It is possible to live many miles away from the high school if your child is attending a specialist programme, so you are not tied to living close by. You have to consider travelling times and routes, though.

I take it that your son was born between 1 January to 30 June 1997 to be in Year 8 this year? Let me know if you need any more info.

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

We came here when the school year had already begun and my son got into both the Pathfinders (academic) and Soccer programmes mid way through year 9. The main reason he got straight in was because of the glowing testamonial that he brought over from his head of year in the UK. His high grades got him straight into the academic programme and the references from sports teachers and head of year got him straight into the soccer programme. Worthwhile speaking to his UK school to write a reference.

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Thanks both of you.

My son is actually likely to be 16 when we arrive so entering year 11, I just wasn't sure if places on specialist programmes had to be secured in year 8 when high school commenced.

I have emailed both schools to ask advice from the enrolment staff but as yet I have had no response. (I know the staff at OR have had other things on their minds lately!)

I'll keep my fingers crossed

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Depends on how serious you are.

If you want our son to play Rugby then yes he can play Rugby in Perth. IF you think your son may have the chance to turn pro or play at a high standard then Perth is absolutely not an option. The level of quality here is 3-4 times behind Sydney or Brisbane. No one has every successfully gone from the Western Australian Rugby system and ever become a Wallaby. I reckon at Super 14 level that's probably the same

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Thanks Weebie, not really thinking about the professional world more about how I can maximise the benefits my son will receive from the move in the short term. And as he is at that awkward age (15) the best way to sell the australian dream.:D

Will definitely bear it in mind tho' but as the sports facilities in the UK are so woeful anything in Oz is likely to be 10 times better.

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Hi. I'm sorry I can't help but just want to be cheeky and ask for your help if that's ok? We are moving to Perth end of June Joondalup to begin with and I was just wandering if you have come across any potentially good schools yet? I have looked at Ocean Reef and emailed them but got no reply. My daughter is in year 8 here and I am just clueless at the moment. Plus it is the school hols in Perth for 2 weeks when we land so I am not going to even be able to veiw any schools for the schools re-open. I don't think we can afford a private school and as daughter is in express maths and science I am worried about state schools as many say English kids find them boring and way behind UK.

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Hi Kayelem, for your daughter to be in Year 8 here, she would be born between 1 January to 30 June 1997 - the first year of high school in WA state schools. Year 7s are born between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 1998. Many WA-born kids can also find school here boring. See if you can get here into an Education Dept gifted and talented programme, or in a school-run specialist programme.

Contact the G&T people, details via:
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/curriculums...&tab=Main#toc2. Their programmes are run at these high schools:
Comet Bay College
Duncraig Senior High School
Governor Stirling Senior High School
Kelmscott Senior High School
Melville Senior High School
Shenton College
Willetton Senior High School
plus others:
Perth Modern (academic)
John Curtin School of the Arts (arts and dance)
Hampton Senior High School (dance)
Churchlands (music)
Applecross, Balcatta, John Curtin, Kalamunda (visual arts)
Mt Lawley, Rossmoyne (languages)

Info about school-run specialist programmes are at:

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/specialistp...detcms/portal/

Some of these programmes are academic, others sports, some are both.

You are right, it is best to sort something out now, by contacting schools above, and gathering every single report, glowing reference, test results, out of the ordinary achievements, about your child(ren), including out-of-school activities as well. This documentation might get your daughter into a programme, even without sitting the entry exam, although she might have to sit that as well.

You don't have to live in the boundaries of one of these high schools above, you just have to get into the programme. Just look for your daughter's area of interest, but you will also have to consider where you might live and how your daughter would get to school and home again. Schools are eager to improve their standing the end of the year, and interested in getting high quality students. If you daughter does fall into the Year 8 birth dates, then she standards a good chance at getting into one of these programmes, even half-way through the year.

Any other questions, let me know, although I'd better get some sleep now:blink:.

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Thankyou sooo much for this info. I have emailed Duncraig already as this is close to where we will hopefully be settling in the long run and their SAP program specialises in Maths ,Science and English. Thanks again:thumbsup:

Re: Schools in WA – Specialist programmes
 

Glad it's not just me Ocean Reef are ignoring, emailed them a few weeks ago and have heard nothing - guess they might still be mopping up!

Good luck for the move!