ozzieeagle

Top top post, Very pleased to see this view, I fully agree with your sentiments here. Some of the top performing schools from a VCE passrate in Victoria are indeed State Schools, Two in this area that are notable are, University High School, In Parkville Melbourne, and Princess hill Secondary, in Carlton. I noticed that someone above mentioned laid back, Well both these schools finished in the top 40 in the state, Uni high in the top twenty I Beleive, and both don't require a uniform. Eltham High was another, again no uniform.

Tip, extra cirricular activities, with people like private music teachers, can get one's child into these schools, even if out of the schools catchment area, especially if they are good enough to get into the school orchestra.

floss

And of course there is the issue of whether they are selective, what extra curricular things are available, how pressurised the academic life is, would it suit your little darling..... etc etc.

I guess it is just very scary making the decision to uproot, and faced with having to choose where to live out of a whole continent and then choose which type of school to send them too - it is much more of a pressure than simply looking at your local schools if you were staying at home. Because we are making choices, we feel that those choices have to be the RIGHT ones... in reality, the things that will make the most difference, like what friends they make etc, are way out of our control. Doesn't stop me losing sleep over it - :scared: - probably should worry a little less and have a little more faith in my children!!

Paul2004

Well I'm back in the 'Will we get to Oz' stage so don't even know what state we'll end up in.

Not that it changes a lot, the thread can obv still run but 'Private or State' seems so unimportant if you may never make it out there! ...lol, but will keep an eye on what ppl say

blossom

In my experience the private system is better than state. However, as I only have experience of sending my daughter to school in Wollongong NSW, I cannot speak for any other area.


Initially she went to state, but moved her to the Catholic private schools (primary and Girls College) where she stayed until 15 years. Then for several reasons we moved her to The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS), which had as good a reputation as the both the girls and boys catholic high schools, but at about 5 times the cost. Fortunately, she won a half scholarship so wasn't too bad for us.

The discipline was the same at both schools, with work that provided stimulation and encouraged students to participate in all activities. Would definitely do it again, over the state system.

Incidentally, I was told that the Chairman of the utility company that I used to work for, ensured that all girls from the catholic girls school applying for work within this org, were guaranteed an interview, and more often than not got a job !!

Blossom

JJ03

In my experience I've definately found private schooling better. Put My son thru state system (primary) in Jan 2004, pulled him out in June. Found loads of bullying going on (for being English), poor quality of education, lack of discipline etc etc. Hes now in private school and has settled from day 1 - not come across any of the issues that we came across in state school.
been told not all state schools are bad but its finding the right ones.

Badge

I like the way you feel you can step in - ive often wandered if you are 'allowed' to do that- not being a father of school-age kids yet.

I know I will step in - that's the problem(!)

Badge

Larissa

Be careful when comparing percentages for students going on to university; good figures may be down more to catchment/ parental aspiration and involvement rather than good teaching.

I've also heard that certain private schools are very cliquey (from an Aus friend with rellies in Perth private schools) and snobbiness is rife - e.g. if you're the child of a farmer / buisness man the doctors/lawyers kids won't hang out with you. Behaviour isn't necessarily any better than good state schools - can be worse if students have access to money. Drug problems are often rife in private schools, they are just better at covering up. Don't assume that a school is good because it is "talked up", visit several times to get the feel of the place, see how the kids behave outside of school etc.
Make sure you look closely at behaviour and anti bullying policies and ask questions on how they are followed through.

Also note the distinction between independent religious schools and private schools. There is also a big difference in fees, with private being more.

Taking all this into consideration, many of you will be unable to secure a place at an independent or private school for months if not years. Although this can be inconvenient as you'll end up having to put your child in a state school, while you are put on the wait list, you will at least have time to ask around and come to the right decision.

G'Day

Thanks Badge, I've always been a hands-on parent who believes that I, and not the system, know my children best & want the best for them. I know that some teachers do not really understand that, but in the end I don't really care whether they do or not, as long as we understand each other & understand that in the end, this child in my child and my responsibility. Make sure that you see your children's teachers regularly at parent/teacher nights and other functions so that you can build an understanding relationship with them and so that they can get to know what you as a parent believe in and want for you child. That way, even if they don't quite "get" it, they'll still allow you leeway for this kind of thing.

My parents often took us out of school for months at a time to travel with them. We took our schoolwork with us & were always miles ahead of the other students when we came back, despite the fact that we might have only spent a grand total of a week or so in actual schooling. I also taught my own children for seven years, so I guess I'm a bit more relaxed about the whole school thing.....yet my children get only A and B grades! Makes you think mmm?

Seabird

Just a thought... It can depend where you're heading. One thing to bear in mind is that some States have State Secondary schools that offer specialisms. In Adelaide there seem to be several Music Schools, for instance. Certainly the standard of Music at Brighton School is extremely high, and the quality of the CDs they sell is as good as most professional productions. Most schools also speicalise in a particular Sport.

If/when you've got a job lined up it can be worthwhile speaking to future colleagues. for instance I found a wonderful chap who works where I'm going, who has 5 children 4 of whom have been through the School. He was really helpful and was saying that because many of the Musicians are also bright, it attracts high quality teachers.

The other beauty seems to be that as long as you live in the catchment you can get your child into the School. Alternatively, if they have expertise in a particular area that is the School's speicalist area, they can get in from outside the catchment, subject to passing a test on it.

Flinders University houses the Australian Maths and Science School, with on-line contact to NASA, PCs for each child and technicians on hand all day. They can go here from Year 10.

You'd need to look into what your State offers, as I know this doesn't apply everywhere.

Hope this helps...

Pandanda

Agreed. Their choirs won all the top prizes in the school and open categories in the Sydney eisteddfods last year. They have lots of audio files from their cds at this page: http://www.brightonss.sa.edu.au/bss_...music.html#cds

Including a cd with them singing at York Minister from one of their European tours

Seabird

Pandanda

Thanks. It was actually you that recommended Brighton to me in the first place a while ago. School have been REALLY helpful and are going to audition my daughter as soon as we arrive. I'd send you some Karma, but I'm not sure how....

someone tell me PLEASE>>>

G'Day

Look at the bottom left corner of the person's post. There's a box marked Karma. Click on it and it will open another box for your comments. Please remember to put your name in as it doesn't automatically say who it is from.

LindyLoo

I've taught for two terms in Australia.

First term a very exclusive private school. Run along same lines as a UK private school. Kids were well rounded, pleasant, sporty and academically challenge.

Second term, a poor area, state school. Bit of a culture shock, very laid back attitude (that's the staff). The kids were well rounded, generally pleasant, sporty but not at all academic.

From what I can gather there are exclusive private schools (churn out the kids for university). Religious private schools (parents pay around £1000 per year) and parents think they are paying for a better education. Essentially they are buying stationary, equipment, school trips etc. I've been told anyone could teach in them (so it makes me think that they are not that good). Finally state schools, just like in the UK there are good and bad, usually depending on the catchment area of the school.

Seabird

Thanks Gday

You should have received some for being so kind and letting me know..

bezzanbob

Having worked in a private school on the Coast I can offer:

Don't be phased by references to a religious denomination. The Oz education system was set up by the church and thus there will always be that link. Some teachers I know seem to have even found their faith in order to progress careers! However there are of course more fundemental estbalishmnets and teaching based solely on the Bible can be a tad narrow.

Cetainly my experience of the top Coast private school for boys (TSS) was some way different to my daily work in the UK - no Sir, no thnak you for the lesson and getting away with as little as possible. It was laid back but with continual assessment pupils did take a real ownership of thier studies. The extra-curricular aspect was of course excellent with sport, a week's camp etc.

If we ever get back my daughters will go private - no question - given the eldest is rather shy and retiring. Don't think she'd survive in a large state school (where my wife worked) and needs the more 'caring' environment.

At the end of the day you know your children and what they need. For some state will be absolutley fine ... for others ...

B