Let's say you have a choice of a $20K pa private school or a Public Select School for your child - which would you choose?

You actually don't get to completely choose a "Public Select School" ! They are "select" by using a competitive testing process where aspiring academic or arty kids with parents like myself (WON'T spend that sort of money on a school) sit tests that are relevant to the program that the kid wants to get into. If that fails then most of those select schools have a percentage of local intake.

If the kid is good enough or lucky enough then they are advised that they can then enter the program(s) that they are offered. If not then the parent has to decide on local intake or private.

With my 2 girls the oldest got into an academic program at one of the select schools and the youngest has missed out on the process so will rely on local intake into our local "Public Select School".

Public for my family all the way - unless the local school was a complete dud which I doubt there are too many at dud level....

Here's a can of worms about to be opened !!!!

Funny we were talking about this at the beach yesterday. From what i've experienced, those who go to uni from private school generally get it decided and done in the first sitting though there are brilliant people that come from public system & they blitz the system. Public school doesn't have the career support of private. Bullying is more or less same everywhere and gets stamped on pretty hard.

These are generalisations though. Personally I chose the middle ground for my kids and they attend Catholic Ed, we aren't religious in any way. The only thing I hate about the school is the amount of snobbery but that is the parents not the school, and I wish they pushed sport more. This goes for all schools but I absolutely hate the curriculum now, all this crap put forward by the government/education system is absolute rubbish and only prepares them for a certain type of life. Whichever school, invest the time in your kids after school, help them with homework and understanding as this will be far more beneficial than the amount of money you throw at it.

I went to public school, most of the teachers were second rate but to be fair I wasn't a good student, there were some great teachers there also. Dealing with tutors, attending tafe and 3 different universities I got to see that there really is good and bad no matter where you are.

I went to both state and private. The state was a crap school, wished Id never swapped. I vowed never to send my kids to state but all are now in state, with exceptional teachers. But thats an independent state school where the school gets more say over things. Im very wary about my son starting in a state highschool next year though. If its rubbish I will go private. What ive learnt is a state school can be good if in the right area with good teachers. Also if trying to decide between 2, look into which school offers stuff most suited to your child. For example a better sports or drama section. Also ask people about the schools, I know one school in my area that is pricy with a crap reputation. Good luck, its a hard choice.

Props for MK!!!!

you obviously have the 20 big ones . spend it . let some one who hasn't that kind off cash have the public spot .

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mkseven said...
Whichever school, invest the time in your kids after school, help them with homework and understanding as this will be far more beneficial than the amount of money you throw at it.

That's all that needs to be said. YOU are their parents. YOU are responsible for their education.

Remember that the expectation for Private schools is that the student should participate as much as possible.
Plenty of opportunities for trips / co-curricular etc but that is all +++ to the basic fees.
Find a school that matches your child as there is quite a bit of variation.
In the Catholic system, religious education is given significant weight. In primary years it may be more than Science. Just making a statement not putting forward an opinion.
If your child is gifted and can get in to a good program it is a good option.
If you have time to support your child and offer them opportunities outside of school there are good state schools that will provide as good an academic education as private and perhaps better.

I went to about 20 schools growing up, mix of public & private & christian & even catholic. Generally:

Teachers about the same, some good some bad. Private had some awful ones even in 'top' schools.

Facilities - massive difference in sports facilities. Also a very strong focus on sports in private. For me personally, I was just as happy doing the public school sports for the most part although I did enjoy sailing at a private school which had it's own boat yard etc.

For my kids I'll probably go public, definitely no religious school unless a secular option is provided.

There's a book 'free schools' which sounds very good, author was on conversations with richard fidler. He looked into all the data, came to the conclusion that school does not affect kids grades, socio-economic background and home life is 95% predictor. Rather than provide a better education, all that a private school does is attract those from better backgrounds, hence the better grades. Plus they scoop the cream from the public system with scholarships which further improves their grades. His other conclusion was that every school different, good and bad examples of each, need to take the time to really get to know each option available to you.


www.booktopia.com.au/free-schools-david-gillespie/book/9781742612195.html?source=pla&gclid=CIPeifHo8r4CFcJ8vQodBHIAYg

Sending your kids to a catholic school is child abuse!

nothing wrong with public schools, sharpens up the softest of kids into streetwise sleuth's

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someawe said...
Sending your kids to a catholic school is child abuse!

as is raising your kids whilst being a bigot.

Not all catholic ed is the same, i was assured by the principal that where my kids attend do not push the religious thing & after monitoring it they do no more than I did at public school except on their religious days which i have no idea what they are called. We let my kids decide whether they want to believe religion or not & they were not yet 10 when they started questioning validity of bible. The religious studies appears to just sacrifice organised sport (they still have pe, track & field, swim & cross country days), this I dont mind as you are better off offering your kids the sport they want to do outside of school. I'm wary of private schools & their sports, I got offered several sports scholarships & used to do some of my training at private school but man they were just too full on, all for their show & glory not the students.

Pretty much all private schools here are of some religious denomination, some just dont advertise it so much anymore.

its not the religious studies or teachings that are the concern, it's the cathlic priests - wouldn't let my kids anywhere near them.
(rather be called a bigot than put my kids at risk of being abused)

^^^ totally agree

catholic priests that are now allowed to marry? Catholic priests that are only allowed to teach classes as a whole. The church is s*** scared of any further pr debacles. If you think that the catholics are the only guilty ones then you are very much mistaken, that sort of thing went on in all schools it's just the catholics tried to deny & hide the fact & they had the most money. Im not defending them, it was appalling but everyone that works around kids now has to undergo the same processes & controls. The world has changed alot in the last 20 years, try to catch up .

Btw if you haven't built that relationship with your kids that they can tell you of anything not right in their world, that you expect them to tell you & it is not they who will be punished then you have failed as a parent.

The statistics for the private schools always look pretty good because they weed out the lower performers before year 11 and 12. If the public system did the same they would look just as good.

I am the president of my daughters primary school's council, interesting seeing where the kids move on to. Also interesting that for a lot of schools it is also about what the family can bring to the school not just the child. Hence the reason I joined the school council, to be seen as community minded and to potentially improve her chances of getting into one of the more selective public schools in the region.

For a portion of the public school annual fee a private tutor could be a good option to supplement a child's schooling.

I went to plenty of both, generally the drugs were better at the private.

You should be more worried about relatives or trusted family friends.

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mmhard said...
You should be more worried about relatives or trusted family friends.

Yip, statistically correct... sad but true.

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kiteboy dave said...
I went to about 20 schools growing up

Sounds like someone was a naughty boy

Actually yes, students selections in public sector schools entirely depends upon the competitive tests. However there are number of homeschooling,Learning Center, hiring a private tutors are few open options left that can even results beneficial. accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?passive=1209600&osid=1&continue=https://plus.google.com/116360455800717537499&followup=https://plus.google.com/116360455800717537499

^^^WTF

one of my girls was a particularly gifted musician and got offered a scholarship to the local catholic school. they really wanted her there to boost thiermusic program , when she was offered a churlands scholarship(public) the cathos got quite shirty. after that i would let any kids i know go near the place.
she boarded for 5 years , duxed many of her subjects ,
she is currently in the first year of her SECOND degree
if you do get an offer , take it

In the business so have a vested interest. Where public flogs private is success at tertiary level. The drop out rate of private students at university is very high compared to public students. Research supports this 5 sec google gets www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2013/01/08/3665845.htm

I don' think it matters - public vrs private school. Depends so much on your child.

Your kids have their own drives and will work it out. It's more about you coaching them to deal with their future.

AFAIC as long as they don't end up on ice or turning jihad - it will work out.

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ashleypaxtonn said..
Actually yes, students selections in public sector schools entirely depends upon the competitive tests. However there are number of homeschooling,Learning Center, hiring a private tutors are few open options left that can even results beneficial.

If that ^^^ is an example of the grammar that homeschooling teaches then consider me out.

Based on this similar stellar contribution with unrelated link I'm gonna run with dodgy indian SEO link spammer.
www.chameleonforums.com/threads/chameleons-and-other-pets.85993/

I know quite a large number of families home schooling their kids (SW WA). All but 1 of them shouldn't be allowed anywhere near home schooling. The parents' literacy and numeracy is about grade 3, and barely a pass at that! The kids in these families are being condemned to a life of sub-mediocracy.

My eldest son is in year 8 at a private school and it costs 22k per year.
We're far from being loaded with $ but I can tell you it's worth every cent.
I went to a public school from K to yr 12 for $45 per year in the 80's and I've turned out alright (depending who you talk to).