Oz School System
Oct 13th 2002, 8:19 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Oz School System
Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and public
schools but am none the wiser?
How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
to locate you and the family.
Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I have
2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the Australian
system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
experienced life abroad!)
All responses gratefully received
Grant
Scotland
Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and public
schools but am none the wiser?
How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
to locate you and the family.
Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I have
2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the Australian
system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
experienced life abroad!)
All responses gratefully received
Grant
Scotland
Oct 14th 2002, 1:48 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: Sydney
Posts: 74
Re: Oz School System
There is no such thing as "AUSTRALIAN school system" - it is a state responsibility, so school systems are different from state to state - sometimes just a little bit, in some aspects significantly. Please indicate what state(s) you have in mind (actually I mean capital city 
)
)
Oct 14th 2002, 2:04 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Oz School System
Our state school system answers to the federal education minister and the
state government departments. Although we now have our children privately
educated, when our children were in the state system, we chose the school
and not just the one closest to our home! look at was support they offer for
children needing extension or acceleration.
Do they teach music?
what is the IT situation?
do they learn multimedia subjects?
What is their bullying policy - especially important for immigrants
What is in the canteen? Do they support a more health lunch attitude? Means
a school that cares about your child and not the profits they can make from
the canteen!
most importantly - what is the principal like because if you cannot
communicate with them, how are you going to discuss your concerns when they
arise! most are so hard to communicate with as they are public servants!
Cannot beat life experiences, no matter where you go and any child will
benefit from travel. It is only a start, but our website links to the
Queensland Education department, under the live link to help you investigate
further.
--
http://holidaysgoldcoast.com - a local
perspective of the Gold Coast
"Grant Letham" wrote in message
news:zukq9.10752$345-
[email protected]...
> Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
> Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and
public
> schools but am none the wiser?
> How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
> to locate you and the family.
> Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
> schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I
have
> 2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the
Australian
> system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
> UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
> experienced life abroad!)
> All responses gratefully received
> Grant
> Scotland
state government departments. Although we now have our children privately
educated, when our children were in the state system, we chose the school
and not just the one closest to our home! look at was support they offer for
children needing extension or acceleration.
Do they teach music?
what is the IT situation?
do they learn multimedia subjects?
What is their bullying policy - especially important for immigrants
What is in the canteen? Do they support a more health lunch attitude? Means
a school that cares about your child and not the profits they can make from
the canteen!
most importantly - what is the principal like because if you cannot
communicate with them, how are you going to discuss your concerns when they
arise! most are so hard to communicate with as they are public servants!
Cannot beat life experiences, no matter where you go and any child will
benefit from travel. It is only a start, but our website links to the
Queensland Education department, under the live link to help you investigate
further.
--
http://holidaysgoldcoast.com - a local
perspective of the Gold Coast
"Grant Letham" wrote in message
news:zukq9.10752$345-
[email protected]...
> Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
> Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and
public
> schools but am none the wiser?
> How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
> to locate you and the family.
> Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
> schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I
have
> 2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the
Australian
> system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
> UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
> experienced life abroad!)
> All responses gratefully received
> Grant
> Scotland
Oct 14th 2002, 3:02 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Perth, WA
Posts: 54
Re: Oz School System
Hi,
If you go to the Aussie Move site (www.aussiemove.com) and select a suburb then you can check reports for each school in the area. At least this is what it does for Perth as I used the reports to decide where to live.
If you go to the Aussie Move site (www.aussiemove.com) and select a suburb then you can check reports for each school in the area. At least this is what it does for Perth as I used the reports to decide where to live.
Originally posted by Grant Letham:
Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and public
schools but am none the wiser?
How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
to locate you and the family.
Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I have
2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the Australian
system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
experienced life abroad!)
All responses gratefully received
Grant
Scotland
Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and public
schools but am none the wiser?
How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
to locate you and the family.
Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I have
2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the Australian
system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
experienced life abroad!)
All responses gratefully received
Grant
Scotland
Oct 14th 2002, 7:44 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Oz School System
[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
Hi
I recently moved to Victoria and went to visit schools for my 7 and 8 year old. Talk to the headmaster - they seemed to give a good indication of the type of school. Nothing exists here like the league tables in England so it did seem difficult at first.
Also how flexible are they with grade and ages as both of my children needed to go in a grade higher than their age because of the amount of schooling compared to their Aus friends - who start school about a year later.
We were very careful to pick a "good" area to live as that seemed to make a difference to the quality of the school (in general). I think the public/private question is a personal one as there are excellent public schools available
Hi
I recently moved to Victoria and went to visit schools for my 7 and 8 year old. Talk to the headmaster - they seemed to give a good indication of the type of school. Nothing exists here like the league tables in England so it did seem difficult at first.
Also how flexible are they with grade and ages as both of my children needed to go in a grade higher than their age because of the amount of schooling compared to their Aus friends - who start school about a year later.
We were very careful to pick a "good" area to live as that seemed to make a difference to the quality of the school (in general). I think the public/private question is a personal one as there are excellent public schools available
Oct 14th 2002, 10:51 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2002
Location: London
Posts: 603
Re: Oz School System
Hiya
My son is 15 and he is year 11 in UK year 10 here (til Jan). The school we had an interview with was fantastic... they are so much more relaxed over here... no 1500 pupil schools.. 750! Classes are around 26 pupils. The electives (options) are WAY cool makes me wanna be back at school. I am sorry I cannot help you with primary, but wanted you to have positive feed back about my first experience. He has been at school one week and that week was all focused on him and what he did in UK and where he lived and the differences. I thought that was way cool as they were then (and the kids) able to see what and who he was about... pretty cool
Anyways... I am sure you will be fine here
Yvonne
My son is 15 and he is year 11 in UK year 10 here (til Jan). The school we had an interview with was fantastic... they are so much more relaxed over here... no 1500 pupil schools.. 750! Classes are around 26 pupils. The electives (options) are WAY cool makes me wanna be back at school. I am sorry I cannot help you with primary, but wanted you to have positive feed back about my first experience. He has been at school one week and that week was all focused on him and what he did in UK and where he lived and the differences. I thought that was way cool as they were then (and the kids) able to see what and who he was about... pretty cool
Anyways... I am sure you will be fine here
Yvonne
Originally posted by Grant Letham:
Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and public
schools but am none the wiser?
How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
to locate you and the family.
Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I have
2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the Australian
system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
experienced life abroad!)
All responses gratefully received
Grant
Scotland
Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and public
schools but am none the wiser?
How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
to locate you and the family.
Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I have
2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the Australian
system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
experienced life abroad!)
All responses gratefully received
Grant
Scotland
Oct 14th 2002, 10:58 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Derby
Posts: 1,656
Re: Oz School System
We've put our kids (aged 7 and 2) down on the register for a school we know is good (through recommendation). It also is near where we plan to live, however depending on job we might be forced into living further away initially.
However school is our biggest priority as we want our oldest to be settled. Ideally we want to arrive Jan so he can start term with the rest, rather than joining when everyone else has settled and formed frienships already. (This is in doubt now as no visa yet!)
The school said they normally helped people from outside find a place, but we daren't take the risk, especially as kids from the city (Adelaide) put their names down as soon as they are born.
We had a confirmation letter last week saying the places are there and asking our confirmation that we still wanted them.
At least we won't have to worry about one thing when we arrive.
My only real concern is whether he's actually a year ahead and should be put in the class above, but I'm sure the school will sort this out.
Mash..
However school is our biggest priority as we want our oldest to be settled. Ideally we want to arrive Jan so he can start term with the rest, rather than joining when everyone else has settled and formed frienships already. (This is in doubt now as no visa yet!)
The school said they normally helped people from outside find a place, but we daren't take the risk, especially as kids from the city (Adelaide) put their names down as soon as they are born.
We had a confirmation letter last week saying the places are there and asking our confirmation that we still wanted them.
At least we won't have to worry about one thing when we arrive.
My only real concern is whether he's actually a year ahead and should be put in the class above, but I'm sure the school will sort this out.
Mash..
Oct 14th 2002, 11:04 am
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: An expat Aussie trying to understand why anyone wants to move to Oz.
Posts: 485
Re: Oz School System
Originally posted by mashiraz:
We've put our kids (aged 7 and 2) down on the register for a school we know is good (through recommendation). It also is near where we plan to live, however depending on job we might be forced into living further away initially.
However school is our biggest priority as we want our oldest to be settled. Ideally we want to arrive Jan so he can start term with the rest, rather than joining when everyone else has settled and formed frienships already. (This is in doubt now as no visa yet!)
The school said they normally helped people from outside find a place, but we daren't take the risk, especially as kids from the city (Adelaide) put their names down as soon as they are born.
We had a confirmation letter last week saying the places are there and asking our confirmation that we still wanted them.
At least we won't have to worry about one thing when we arrive.
My only real concern is whether he's actually a year ahead and should be put in the class above, but I'm sure the school will sort this out.
Mash..
We've put our kids (aged 7 and 2) down on the register for a school we know is good (through recommendation). It also is near where we plan to live, however depending on job we might be forced into living further away initially.
However school is our biggest priority as we want our oldest to be settled. Ideally we want to arrive Jan so he can start term with the rest, rather than joining when everyone else has settled and formed frienships already. (This is in doubt now as no visa yet!)
The school said they normally helped people from outside find a place, but we daren't take the risk, especially as kids from the city (Adelaide) put their names down as soon as they are born.
We had a confirmation letter last week saying the places are there and asking our confirmation that we still wanted them.
At least we won't have to worry about one thing when we arrive.
My only real concern is whether he's actually a year ahead and should be put in the class above, but I'm sure the school will sort this out.
Mash..
75% of University students in Oz are from private schools. something to keep in mind...
Oct 14th 2002, 12:29 pm
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Mansion in Padbury
Posts: 804
Re: Oz School System
Good luck with your driving test BTW and could you re-iterate any advice re Perth schools. Areas we are thinking of are the Duncraig/ Hillarys end. Our son will be 4 in April. What level will he go into? Does he go to Kindy a few hours a day? When will he start big school (I believe it is age 6).
Love
Nicky
Love
Nicky
Oct 14th 2002, 12:34 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Oz School System
"Grant Letham" wrote in message
news:zukq9.10752$345-
[email protected]...
> Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
> Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and
public
> schools but am none the wiser?
> How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
> to locate you and the family.
> Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
> schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I
have
> 2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the
Australian
> system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
> UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
> experienced life abroad!)
It's totally lotto. Some schools in good suburbs are shite, and some
schools in bad suburbs are good... it seems to be fairly random
unfortunately.
Chris
> All responses gratefully received
> Grant
> Scotland
news:zukq9.10752$345-
[email protected]...
> Can anyone spare me a few moments to give me some information on the
> Australian Primary school system. I hear much said about private and
public
> schools but am none the wiser?
> How do you know which schools are best in an area letting you decide where
> to locate you and the family.
> Is there a schools inspectorate that produces an independent report on
> schools in states or do you just pay the money and take the chance. I
have
> 2 kids aged 8 and 7 and am wondering how they will fit in to the
Australian
> system. Will it have held them back educationally, should I return to the
> UK or will they be given an advantage (other than the obvious of having
> experienced life abroad!)
It's totally lotto. Some schools in good suburbs are shite, and some
schools in bad suburbs are good... it seems to be fairly random
unfortunately.
Chris
> All responses gratefully received
> Grant
> Scotland
