Taff

I have read lots of ERO reports on ChCh Secondary Schools. I want my 13-year-old daughter to go to a mixed school & one not tied to a religion. The ERO report on Burnside is very good but I would rather live within the Cashmere High School catchment area so as to avoid the smog (i.e. live above it). However the Cashmere EROs are pretty worrying regarding Disciline and Bullying. Any advice/comments welcome?

Cassa

I don't have any children but my neighbours moved here (cashmere) so their children could go to Cashmere high. He is a doctor so would imagine that they have looked into it.

We are leaving soon to go back to the UK...... so if you are looking for a house - let us know!!!

Taff

How soon is soon?

kiwichild

Firstly Cashmere isnt cheap to live in
Secondly Discipline and bullying are issues that affect all schools(not just ones in NZ) I'd be more interested in academic performance indicators as their are probably fewer issues in scholls where students appear motivated.

Thirdly, unless you have a severe respitatory condition I am sure you will survive the winter smog. It was mainly caused by the use of open fires and people burning green wood in their pot belly stoves (enclosed fires).

Fourthly, other areas to consider (less smog) would include any of the hills (though these more pricey than your regular suburbs), or coastline suburbs like Sumner, New Brighton and South Brighton. New Brighton does however seem (or used to when I was there) attract a few idiots at the weekends.
"The Ramp" has always been a trouble spot at night due to drunken/drugged up young males.

A good alternative to christchurch would. be Dunedin. Better lifestyle I think, though colder in winter and very hilly. Christchurch is flat.

Cassa

We are just finishing a few renovation jobs (builders in next week) floors being sanded (the floors here are AMAZING - not like in the UK. Solid remu, dark in colour) and then its going on the market. We are leaving at the end of June.

We don't live on the hill for the smog reasons (although there is smog - I have seen it) We like the view, thats why we are here. Its such a flat city that it is so nice to have an aspect and look over the trees over to the mountains

GeorgeM

Burnside has a good reputation but its size puts many parents off. It also has a specialist music programme for kids who are very good (Grade 6 or 7 at Yr 9) which is open to all kids regardless of where they live. Very competitive, though, and quite intensive. But they have superb music facilities on site.

Riccarton has a good reputation and is a more manageable size - take a look at their ERO report. Housing quite affordable in their zone.

I had heard that Cashmere had been better and was on a bit of a slide at the moment.

Outside of the city Rangiora has a very good reputation and is only about 30 mins into town (providing there isn't a problem with our one bit of real motorway).

Girls and Boys High both have a good reputation, but I suspect that much of this is based on their days as top schools for the city/region in the selective pre-zoning days.

Taff

George,
I notice that a third of the students at Riccarton are shown as Asian and there are various comments in the ERO report on teaching students whose first language is not English. The decile rating for the area is also 7. At first glance it didn't appeal to send my daughter to a school with such an unusual intake, I would prefer her to go to a school with an intake that reflected the normal balance of races in NZ. Any comments?
Taff

GeorgeM

Taff

The contents of my posting were based on conversations / discussions I have had with a number of friends who are involved in education in Chc. (I'm not, by the way).

One of these people was at some seminar or other and got chatting to someone from the teacher training college who is reported to have ranked Burnside and Riccarton in the top 5 schools in Chc based on their impressions. The other 3 in this top 5 were independents (Rangi was definitely one, and I think Maggots and Christs Coll were the other two on this person's list).

So - very much based on heresay and also dependent on what other people define as 'good'.

I understand that Riccarton currently has a very good head who maintains solid discipline enabling a good learning environment despite the decile 7 rating. Its reputation is certainly far beyond the likes of Aranui, Hornby and Marehau.

shepslady

Christchurch High Schools all have a large Asian population. Its a big revenue for the schools to attract Asian students as many of them come to NZ to be educated often boarding with local families so I seriously doubt Riccarton having a large number of Asian students is going to be much different than any other of the so called good schools. Academicaly they do well so it shouldnt be a concern. Asians are a big part of the NZ race now which is just another fact of life. I think you should realise many of these Asian students come to NZ at a very young age & speak perfect English by the time they reach High school level. The City also has a lot of English Language Schools that older students attend & sometimes it can be rather overwhelming to see the large numbers of Asian Students in the City. A couple of years ago I went back to school to train as a computer technician & ate in the City everyday & most days I felt like I was in a foreign country due to the high number of Asians. I guess it brings revenue to the City so its just one of those things one learns to deal with. keep checking the High Schools academic standards & achievments before you make your decision & Im sure you will make out just fine.
Goodluck
Regards
Shepslady