I remember when I was in the early days of pregnancy people started asking me about what childcare centres I had applied for. Being my first, I scoffed at the idea that even before my baby was born I had to start thinking about childcare options. It wasn’t until Winnie was 9 months old and I was looking at going back to work that I soon realised that this suggestion was actually a pretty good one, seeing that the first 3 centres I liked had waiting list of up to 2 years!?
Anyway, we ended up choosing a Family Day Care which I would have never known about if I had got a spot at the first centre I went to. It’s turned out to be the most fantastic place for Winnie to be and I thank my lucky stars we found it…..but that’s a whole nother story.
Now she’s soon to turn 4 we’ve been talking about schools for about the last year, and it’s starting to feel a bit overwhelming to say the least. What exactly makes a “good school?” Do all the good teachers always end up at private schools? What kinds of things should I be looking for when we go for tours next year? What questions should I be asking? The list goes on and on!
We have a great private school nearby, which a lot of our friends kids either already go to, or will be going to BUT it’s a Catholic school, and the enrolment process on their website states that “child is baptised Catholic whose family can demonstrate involvement in the life, worship and service of the local parish” I have absolutely no problem with this as an entry criteria for this school, but it automatically rules us out as we are not Catholic, and the thought of “pretending” to be Catholic to gain entry to this school doesn’t sit right with me at all, and actually I would assume that wouldn’t sit right with the school either, so I think naturally this is not a good option for us.
The other private schools are not within our budget so there goes those.
That leaves us with public school. Great! I went to public primary school and High School. For the most part I loved it (except for the time I tried to pick up a $2 coin that had been glued to the hall floor, and the time I wore a handmade necklace I had no idea actually looked like a dick and balls until one of the “cool boys” of year 9 pointed it out to me)
When it comes to primary school, I’m yet to be convinced that there will be any huge benefits of sending her to private school rather than public school. And for us, public school will still allow us the funds to go on a yearly overseas holiday and also for her to choose one, maybe two extra curricular activities which I personally think are excellent forms of education and teach huge lessons that cannot be learned inside a classroom.
So public school it is.
Our local school is literally 200m up the road from our house. It previously hasn’t had the best reputation, but a new principal a couple of years ago has apparently really turned it around and it’s now getting great reviews, attracting great teachers and offering great programs for it’s kids. Is this enough?
The school I love is not in our zone. This school is RAVED about. I know a few families who go there and they absolutely love it, the teachers are great, the principal is fantastic and it just has such a great vibe about it. I have been to a couple of school functions with a friend, and each time I’ve left thinking that I’d really like this to be our school.
BUT THERE’S A BIG BUT COMING!
Apparently they are taking THREE out of zone reception kids next year, and this year someone waited in line on enrolment day at 4am to get a spot? Is this a thing? Do people actually have to do this to get into an out of zone school? Is this some sort of weird school urban myth?
Do I love it this much? Yep, from what I’ve seen and heard I think I do.
But if I get in line at 4am, will it guarantee me a spot? Nope apparently not.
How is this decision even made? Who knows?
Considering we have no siblings at the school, no special needs or any special reason to be chosen to go, have we got any chance?
I’ve thought of a short list of questions that are important for us in this choice
- What facilities does the school have? Playgrounds, ovals, library, music and sports programs?
- What sort of transition into school program is in place?
- How do current students/families feel about the school? Do they love it? Like it? Hate it?
- What are the fees and are there any extra costs?
- Is there before/after school care available
- What are the class sizes?
But even after thinking of that list, if we go with public school does it even matter? If we’re choosing public school do we even have a choice?
I have at least a whole year to keep thinking about this….so I would LOVE to know how you all chose your primary schools.
Did you go private/public?
What questions did you ask?
Are you an “out of zoner” and if so, how did you get in?
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Hi Rosy, a couple of things about enrolments- Catholic schools priorities for new students go like this: siblings of existing students then Catholics in the area then Catholics out of the area, then others. Depending on their enrolment numbers, you could absolutely get in there.
State schools are obliged to accept all students in their area, regardless of numbers, so if you’re in that school’s area you don’t need to line up at 4 a.m. which is crazy anyway! You can enrol your child at a state school any time, not just ‘enrolment day’.
Out of zone enrolments are often taken on a first come basis, but other factors are considered to ensure best classroom makeup- sex of child, temperament, connection to the school community etc.
In addition to your excellent list of questions, I would suggest getting a feel for the culture of the school- are you and your child likely to fit in and feel comfortable with the norms and values of the school and wider community? I’ve seen kids struggle simply because the school just wasn’t the right fit.
And: how is student wellbeing ensured- counsellors, pastoral care, wellbeing within the curriculum and so on?
Hope this helps!
Hey Catherine, thanks for your comment. Catholic school is definitely not an option personally for us, because we’re not Catholic.
As for the state school thing, I’m hoping that getting into our local state school is guaranteed, but I have heard conflicting reports even into that. What happens if the school is full, as in, not enough classrooms or not enough teachers?
I have come to the conclusion that I’m possibly over thinking it and I need to just enrol her at the local state school, which is fine, and then MAYBE consider some out of zone options that I really love. But if we don’t get it, we always have the local backup…….
Story to be continued anyway so will let you know how it all pans out.
Thanks again for your comment. x
Would just like to comment on the catholic school option. My family isnt catholic either but I still sent them to catholic school and it turned out fine. They won’t force your kids to do anything if you let them know your boundaries. Other than that, it’s merely just a typical private school.
I sent my son to well known private school in the city, thinking it would be good for him but when he started to struggle with reading and writing they had no help for him just kept saying he will get there. I was at the stage I wanted him to repeat the year because looking at him he was not grasping the basics of reading to the stage he was in year reception, year 1 and year 2 getting D’s for them. As had no luck with assistance with helping him we moved him to a little local private school around the corner, and in this year alone they have really made leaps and bounds with him. I did advise he was struggling with reading and writing and they came on board with me straight away, sending home extra little activities to help him. I guess what im saying is look at what programs are in place in case your child is one of those children who might struggle and need extra help.
Hi,
I have 2 daughters 15 and 11 this year. We are planning to migrate to South Australia probably by Aug next year.
She will be doing the last 3 months in Primary school and then moving on to high school the following year.
How will the process be as she will be missing the process of enrolment or registering into high school the transition from Year 7 to Year 8 .
We are from Malaysia . Is it advisable for her to finish her primary school here in Malaysia and then move on to the first year of high school in Adelaide , or should she be doing one last year of primary school before moving to high school?
How will she adapt in terms of friends in the above two situations?
And for the older one , will it be better for her to start Year 10 or Year 11 in Adelaide?
Please advice
I’m a bit late but for the older one I hope you started her in Adelaide at year 10 for the best transition. Although if not, that is fine. I know one of my daughter’s friends who came to Adelaide from overseas at the 4th term of year 11 and she did a fantastic job in year 12!
Hope all goes well for you.
Hi Roxy,
We’re planning to relocate to Adelaide in the new year, and we need a primary school suggestion for our 2 year old son.