state or private??

[Guest 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!!

[Diane]

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

[Guest jojo]

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:wubclub:

[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.

[Guest sarahsmartiepants]

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

[Guest HALT]

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]

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]

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!

[Guest Bodie]

Totally agree. Our kids currently attend state primary/ kindy and we plan to send them to private school for the secondary phase.

[Guest Carolynn B]

Thanks for all your help. It wil make the decision so much easier!!

[Guest 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......

[Guest 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.

[Guest 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

[Guest 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!!!)

[Guest Peachie]

Hi all

I would have to agree that a good state school is trumps said she with 2 kids in private primary (22- 25 in a class) fortunatly its a modern one with sports uniform not the hidious get up my kids laugh at on the way to school poor kids tripping over skirts too long ect the state primarys around here were not appealling (torrensville and flinders park) although was very impressed by the teachers at flinders everything else needed help!! so picked the best school I could get them into and we could get to (I dodn't drive) just happened to be private hubby hates paying for the amount of religion they learn would rather extra science lessons ect I have done extensisve researce into high schools (friend of a friend who is a teacher and visited 5 high schools myself) my daughter will be going to adelaide high which is considered a top state school and does meet her needs if she hadn't gained access to adelaide she would have gone to nazareth high and had to take religon as a compulsory subject till finished school so to say that kelly feels she had a lucky escape from enforced mass and a simply horred uniform (brown and yellow stripes) is an understatment but other high schools in the area are not for her she hated underdale (we all agrreed) and henley was ok but didn't meet her needs but did like several of the things that school offered

sorry to ranble but its a subject that has taken alot of my time and not why I moved here!!!! but feel that my kids deserve the best but the best is defo not about how much you pay!

ps have met some very nice parents and only one to two jones's x

[Guest jojo]

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....

 

 

 

Hi there

 

My Children go to the Campus of which Pilgrim is one of the schools along with Nativity ( Catholic) and Thiele ( state ), they go to Thiele , when we arrived we looked around Pilgrim and I liked it but the children liked Thiele. All the schools on the campus wear the same uniform but the chidlren often go to different high schools. Thiele usually go to Aberfoyle High, ( which has got a new head and if i can say is really turning the school round and they do offer a excellent range of subjects,) my eldest wants to go there as they have a dance performing arts program and excellent sports.and of course all her friends are going there. Pilgrim usually go to Tabor and Nativity to Cabra (just some of the choices). as someone else said in this thread, often if you are going to pay for education it sometimes best to spend it at high school, theres always Woodcroft College which has a bus from Aberfoyle Park.I have looked at that and that one is on the possible list.

 

My girls are in spilt year classes and are doing very well, you might find that your children may feel they are repeating a little of the work but it works itself out.

 

There is always the Hub primary school which is off Hub Drive Aberfoyle Park and also Our Saviour school too.

Hope that helps. however PM me if you want any more help

 

Jo x

 

 

Best advise go and have look you will know within 5 mins which one you prefer,

[Guest Chandan]

thats exactly what my mum has just said to me, its more important to be choosing private to start year 8 in...

 

I took Dyls to swimming lessons at Immanuel the other day.. all i have to say is wow... that is one impressive looking school.

 

Rachiegarlo, indeed I am seeing why you did that... week two of Kindy and Im already looking for another one.. Think the basics like saying goodmorning to each child and actually acknowledge when they arrive isnt too much to ask, which is making me hesitant to look at the primary school that is linked to the kindy..

 

Off to look at Edwardstown primary next week... going on the playground alone my son will be happy there!

 

If you know of any other kindy's or primary's that are worth a look I'd be so grateful for the names.

[Guest anniewo]

Can I put in my tuppence worth?

Yes Burnside,Linden Park,Marryatville state schools have very good reputations and standards due to the high socioeconomic status of the people can afford to live in the area.Why fork out for private school fees when you know your kids will be at school with the off spring of high achievers? It is the same on this side of town,Brighton high,Glenelg primary have good reps, again kids come from a more affluent area,IMHO of course.

[Rachiegarlo]

I'd really like to know why Nazareth, having the chance with no precedent as a new school chose to dress the kids like bananas.

 

Black Forest and Edwardstown primaries are ok. They were zoned when we moved over here and our only option was Forbes primary. But these schools change. There is also Tabor College in South Plympton if you don't mind religion, it is supposed to get good results in the national tests.