state or private??

**Carolynn B** · 15-09-2008, 06:03 AM

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!!

**Diane** · 15-09-2008, 10:27 AM

I'd go for state at Primary School level, unless the school really doesn't impress you. Time enough to think about High School choices later, but I have to say, we have been totally happy with the state primary system, and my daughter is now at Private for High School and is not at all behind her peers who have been private all the way through.

Does that makes sense?!!

Diane

**jojo** · 15-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Carolynn B

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 there
When we arrived we looked at the campus and I like pilgrim however my OH and the kids like Thiele better (state school) and I can say I have been really happy with it and the girls are really happy, so it gets my vote
Craigburn Primary, flagstaff Hill Primary or the Hub Pirmary may be others to look at.
hope that helps
Jo xx

**Rachiegarlo** · 15-09-2008, 02:00 PM

My kids went to state primary and then on to private for high school. If you are thinking you want private for later, save your pennies for then as a good state primary education will be fine. Sometimes particularly in the younger years kids transferring into the private system find their private counterparts a bit sheltered especially in single sex schools, not having had the rough n tumble that even the best state school might provide.

If your kids and significant other liked the state school go with the flow, save your cash and it gives you the option of transferring if it all bottoms out later.

**sarahsmartiepants** · 16-09-2008, 12:02 AM

I havent read all this post, but I think state schools are better funded. Darling daughter has gone bush walking and camping this week somewhere out whoop whoop.
All I paid was 70 bucks. everything except food was supplied, including sleeping bags if you dont already have one. They even supply the big wax type jackets.
A friend of mines daughter went on one they had to supply the lot that included particular clothes, a certain light etc.
Sarah

**HALT** · 16-09-2008, 03:55 AM

A friend of mine was a maths teacher in the Uk been in oz for 5 years and works as a maths teacher in a state school. She told us to fo state primary and private high school. Which is what we have done. My kids go to craigburn primary school - kids love it and seem to be really happy here. They were in a state school in melbourne whixh was smaller than craigburn but not nearly so nice.

**Rachiegarlo** · 16-09-2008, 05:17 AM

education is no race and can not be measured by how early sonny jim know his tables or milly molly mandy can rad . It's what they do with it later that counts. As you are thinking of a place for your 5 yo(reread your post), think of what social development you would like in a school, how the teachers interract with the children and what else is available. Both systems will teach your child to read, write and numeracy in the first two-three years at school, plus a bit of IT, PE, a language and some SOSE, so it really comes down to whether you want to pay extra for this, bearing in mind that the cheaper privates don't necessarily have smaller classes. Also the primary may have a neater uniform in which your child may look extremely cute, but it will cost a lot more than the windcheaters and polos/trackies/ shorts combos of your average state primary. Also your child is going to grow out of these rapidly, which is why you see some private school kids wearing uniform that is down to ankles or sleeves that make them look like baboons.
In the end it comes down to your personal preferences though.

**The Monaghans** · 16-09-2008, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Rachiegarlo

My kids went to state primary and then on to private for high school. If you are thinking you want private for later, save your pennies for then as a good state primary education will be fine. Sometimes particularly in the younger years kids transferring into the private system find their private counterparts a bit sheltered especially in single sex schools, not having had the rough n tumble that even the best state school might provide.

If your kids and significant other liked the state school go with the flow, save your cash and it gives you the option of transferring if it all bottoms out later.

Couldn't agree more. We are more than happy to send our kids to the local state primary and will worry about sending them private when they get to high school stage. Hopefully by that time, a rich but elderly relative, previously unknown to me, will unexpectedly leave us all their money when they die!