state or private??

[salisbury massive]

A friend of mines daughter went on one they had to supply the lot that included particular clothes, a certain light etc.

Yes, I am that friend. I've got one in private High School, my private school supplied the tent, stove & rain jacket. I had a massive list of clothing to supply, no cotton in case it gets wet etc etc, we had to buy a sleeping bag that covered -5 conditions, inner sheet for the bag, specialist clothing that "quick dried" a head light that cost $56 when they did them in K-Mart for $20, first aid kit, cutlery, bowls & cups even water bags and all her food for the trip. On top of that I had to pay $130 for the actual trip, we think it cost around $350 in all. I pay around $1400 a term and then there are trips and camps on top of that. Uniform cost $660 and its true what Rachel says, its so bleedin expensive parents buy 2 sizes to big to last a few years.

Next year my middle daughter is moving up to High School, she flatly refused to go to private and we have managed to get her into Golden Grove High School, cost around $400 for the year, there is a get to know you camp in week 2 that cost about $130 and I've got uniform on top. I'm happy with both schools as they suit my daughters varying needs. i would never have considered private but we had a hellish time with bullies at the state school my eldest was at and my only option to make her safe at the time was a private school. She has flourished, has lovely friends and is happy. My middle one is completely sports orientated, going to school in kilts, tights and ties would kill her which is why we chose Golden Grove as their sports programme is excellent.
My baby starts school next year and we have the option of going private to the same school as my eldest or the state school next door. $635 a term versus $300 a year. At the moment I'm keeping my options open and will make a firm decision in term 4 this year. I can see the benefits of both systems (apart from the money) but it seems to be that most of my aussie friends start off in state and move to private at High School level. This has definately been the case with my middle ones friends, I'd say 70% are going private next year.

Jo

[Rachiegarlo]

But don't forget there are way more State highs than privates and a lot of kids go to them. About 30% of school aged children in SA attend privates. It just comes down to personal choice and some people just can't afford it, don't wish to pay fees or just don't agree with the private system. Within the state system there is some choice and it's not as though they are all dreadful or anything. A lot of success stories come out of the state high schools, but you don't hear about them as much because theydon't pay to market their stories. The big privates employ a PR person to market the school and this includes positive publicity. This is why there are way more stories about privates in the papers, cos they actually pay to have them there.

[lorluc]

I have 3 in primary school. My 13 year old starts High School in January and is continuing in the state system. The High School she will be attending offers her everything she wants/needs......

[homebody]

we have visited a few primary schools in the flagstaff/aberfoyle area but the difference between the paying and non-paying schools doesn't seem to be that dramatic. At home, if you pay money you seem to get a better education but there are no statistics (ofsted) to back that up here. Any tips on selecting the right school for a five year old? Our two favourites at the moment are either Pilgrim or Flagstaff Hill but the decision is too difficult! Help!!

Hi, would love to hear if you have made a decision....
We are moving to Aberfoyle Park, and I am just starting the process of looking at schools. I had also earmarked Pilgrim, and will check out Flagstaff Hill. My husband is a teacher, and has been working in the private system in the UK for the last 10 years, although my daughter was going to the nursery of our excellent local Church of England....

[fluffy]

Hi, I was given this websit www.myschool.edu.au to look at performane of schools in australia. He helps you locate a specific school, or schoos in specific area's private and state. It has helped me hope it helps you too.

[Chandan]

I went to a private school in Gawler and I am not better off than many of my friends who went to state schools and vice versa. I think Australia is very lucky to have the school system they have. We all end up at the same Uni's as each other in the end and it all seems ok. My private school was a tad heavy on religion but I haven't come out any worse for ware, alot of my state school buddies have extremely successful careers.. it depends what you want your kids to get out of it in the end.

[Prema]

Hi All,

All though I am not in your area, I can comment on the state v private schooling. As soon as we got here I looked at the private education system. The kids got accepted into St Iggies for Feb next year and in the mean time we have sent them to St Joesphs Memorial school in Kensington. To say that I am not pleased is an understatement. There is a who's who culture in this neck of the woods, and you can see the competition between parents and children. It's very very sad. Personally I do not play games like this, and will not be a part of any social stigma in the play ground. Went out for a meal to make Friends with the mums and I just didn't like it. The constent back chat and who's got what...
On arrival we went to the open day at st, Iggy's and I wouldn't send my kids there. It's way to formal and I think kids should be kids. I found out that locally I have 2 great state schools, Burnside Primary and Marryatville High school. Both have grades as good as the best private schools. I was so impressed by Burnside Primary that I am taking my kids out of St joes, next week and they start Burnside on Monday 16th Aug. I can't wait . The welcome that we got there was unbelievable and the Headmaster took time to talk to us. Found out that at st joes the kids were in a year higher then what they should have been, hence why they have struggled. In state school they will be in the correct year for there ages and will be at the top of there class instead of always being behind.
Point is My kids are going to go to state school all the way, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Prema

[Chandan]

Prema,
Up until 6 weeks ago Burnside Primary was our first choice, now we live too far away from it.. there is always next year!! (my parents live a few streets away from there) Marrytville is a fantastic high school, my best friend went there and is now a senior radiographer (at the tender age of 32 this tuesday!) and it was always known as a school that was in equality to the likes of Pembroke. Morialta High School used to be pretty good league wise a few years ago, it may be worth a good look.

Very sad to hear the goings on at St Joesph... Petty really...well done for rising above it!

[Rachiegarlo]

Chandan, my kids stayed at Linden Park primary when we moved to South Plympton. The handy circle line bus took them there along Cross Rd and Portrush Rd. They were 10, 8 and 6 though when they started getting the bus.

[Diane]

For us, a good state school at primary level was just what the kids needed. Plenty of time for performance pressure when they get older, but in my view, primary school is primarily about building confidence, but also about teaching them how to mix with a wide circle of other kids, trying out lots of things so they can find out where their skills and enjoyment lies, and experience what it's like to both win and lose, gradually getting them adjusted to being more independent and more organised, making friends, un-making friends, and generally just being kids!!

Find a good school that you feel meets those needs in your child, and it doesn't matter if it's state or private.

My view about private schools at High School level is a little different, but by that age, priorities have changed. Again though, what suits one might not suit another, so it's all down to personal choice at the end of the day.

It still makes me smile here in Adelaide though when you meet people in business, many many years after school is just a distant memory, and often one of the first things another Adelaidian is asked is "which (high) school did you go to!!!?" (They never ask me - I guess they assume I didn't go to school!!!)