We are set to move in January and I have had my boys on the StStephens wait list for a while now but so far no cigar .
What other schools ( private ) around this area might I be able to get them in , and are there any state run schools that are worth persuing . We don't want to put them back into the primary they were in ( not sure I should mention it ) . They are 6 and 11 .

I know it's short notice but what can you do! Thanks for any help .

Dave

If you live around the Duncraig area there are good primary schools and a good state high school. Private schools are;

Lake Joondalup Baptist College (has primary school)
St Marks Anglican (has a primary school)
Peter Moyes Anglican
Quinns Baptist

Catholics (will take non catholics and these are high schools only)
Mater Dei
Prendiville
Irene McCormick

Private Primarys
St Simon Peter Ocean Reef
Currambine Catholic
St Lukes Catholic Woodvale
Whitfords Catholic
St Andrews Catholic Clarkson
Brighton Catholic Butler

What was the issue with their old primary school?

Thanks for that - looks like many people register their kids really early on and it's struggle getting anywhere near a private , So far St Marks said no hope until secondary and St Steves we are already on list .

What state schools are worth enquiring about? We will be Mullaloo area - anyone have their kids in already for some helpful feedback?

Personally I wouldn't bother with private primary, pick your area right and there really is no need. My kids go to Connolly PS and it is a great little school. They used to go to Marmion PS and that is a good school too.

Don't give up on St Stephen's, as we know people who were told "no chance", but got in anyway, just keep in regular contact with them. Some people even got in when they'd only been on the waiting list for a year. Some families got their youngest in, then a few months later (or even a year), a place came up for the oldest, too. That's where it can pay to get your youngest into private school from kindy/PP onwards, as it can be easier to get in then and then shoe-horn any other children in. Are you on the waiting list just for Duncraig, or for Carramar as well?

Your 11 year old is not far off going to high school, so I'd concentrate on him. Of the state schools in the northern suburbs, Duncraig and Carine are probably your best bet, although others are happy with Ocean Reef or Woodvale. It is possible to apply to a state high school as an "out of area" student, I wouldn't depend on it being successful. Duncraig is now having to take the Padbury catchment as well.

There are special programmes available if your child has a special talent, and you don't have to live in the area for those, just do well in the test.

I read recently that the Ed Dept has made a decision on when state school Year 7s will go to high school, but they haven't made a decision yet.

If you are in Mullaloo and looking at state primaries just be aware that I have friends with children in mullaloo beach and they tell me there is a mass exodus happening in the latter years i.e years 5 6 and 7 I think though there doesn't seem to be any problems with the early years. My son is at Beaumaris in Ocean Reef which has independent status and is a really great school but I think you will prob be out of catchment for that. I think there is a good primary in Kallaroo though, is it called Springfield or I have been watching too much Simpsons??!! Someone else may know....

Thanks Gert i'll look into those .

Both our boys were in the school that you mentioned

You are correct, it is Springfield

I echo your comments on Mullaloo Beach, I don't hear good things.

Thanks for your reply , really helpful . I'd like to know about this more - the older boy is very talented in sports and just won a government excellence sponsorship award .

Ocean Reef SHS has a soccer programme as does Woodvale SHS. Other schools around Perth specialise in other sports. Duncraig SHS has a triathalon programme. Link below highlights schools and their specialist programmes including sports.

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/specialistp...ating-schools/

I have been livivng in Carramar now for nearly 9weeks and couldn`t get my daughter into St Stephens so she goes to Quinns Baptist College and has settled in very well as its only a small school. (She`s 14 )
Good luck

Hi Davesax

These programmes are worth getting into, and you don't have to live in the catchment area of the school where they are held. There are usually ability tests, eg an exam for academic programmes, or doing some timed swimming laps for that programme, etc. As far as I know, the programmes are open to anyone who shows ability in that area. The tests are held in Year 6 or 7 and there was a small fee (about $45) for the academic programme I was looking at. If you can provide some other evidence of your son's ability, then you might not have to sit a test or do an "audition". Separate testing arrangements are made made by each school, so you have to contact each one.

A friend got her daughter into St Stephen's fairly quickly, but her son had to wait 2 years - this is because they keep the female/male ratio as even as they can, and they also have different levels of priorities. Other friends hadn't realised how the state system was and didn't put down their firstborn's name soon after his birth. They didn't make the same mistake with son #2 and he got in at kindy level. As there was already a sibling at the school, son #1 got bumped up the priority level and started there about 6 months later. A third family we know had to wait a few years to get their eldest in this year, then magically 3 places appeared for her siblings to join her next year.

It's worth putting in an application at this private schools, even if the waiting list seems impossible, all you will lose is approx $100-150 per application - a drop in the ocean when you look at the big picture.

It's great that you managed to get your daughter into Quinn's and that she's settled in.

They are all shocking ...

We returned at the early part of this year after 4 years in Oz, Perth actually.

The lads were massively behind when starting here around Easter but have made huge leaps with a little private tutoring and caught the ground up.

It's an old chestnut is education but we are glad to be back before we did anymore damage ...


















bends, lights blue touch paper and retreats ...

It's worth remembering as well that a lot depends on your child.

For instance, if you have a child that finds it easy to study then they can probably do well anywhere.

Some people may choose the private school system for more emphasis on discipline, or perceived social status.

However, if the particular culture of a school doesn't suit a child they may struggle to achieve their potential.