List of primary school perormance?

[MumofLewis]

I'm just wondering if there is some sort of list that shows school performance for primary schools?

I am a few years away from deciding about schooling but wouldn't have a clue which schools are the better ones in my area.

[mrsmac]

No thank goodness. (sorry but I am a teacher and the thought of this horrifies me- schools are not companies producing a product they are about helping to create educated human beings)
You need to go and visit the schools and see how you feel about them when the time comes. What area od Sydney are you in? Are you looking at public or private?

[teachmum]

Well said mrsmac. Talk to people who are already at the school as well.

[MistyFying]

You caould also google the name of the school + local newspapers and see what has been reported over the last few years (don't forget, schools don't stay the same.... I think it depends not only on the children attending and their parents, but also on the values of the school and the teaching staff and principal).

[Beach Mama]

I agree MrsMac! Many of the results are one test on one day so even if a school says that they have high Naplan results - keep in mind that many schools train kids to perform well on that particular day. I would be more inclined to visit the school, talk to the kids and teachers, visit the classrooms and see what type of programs they run in the school. Ask about their welfare programs, bullying policy, extension/gifted programs, and remedial programs. Often you get a feeling just walking through the school about what kind of culture they are fostering. Good luck with it all. (Public Primary School Teacher talking here too )

[Rouge]

I'm in two minds about this.

I think it can be good and bad. I do believe that children should go to schools that suit there needs rather than just the closest school or the most "popular" private school. That said I think some schools (private included) do have a higher focus on certain areas (sports, arts, maths, debating etc) and if you have a child that excels in that area then of course picking a school that also excels in that area is going to be beneficial. I can see how it can be bad for a school's reputation if a school doesn't primarily excel in an area or has a low level of university entrants iykwim?

As a parent I am going to be looking at these areas, and yes whilst they aren't a business I do think if they can't cater to my child I'm not going to send them there.

Here in Melb we have the Age "Good Schools Guide" which gives a breakdown of what each school offers the number of students etc.

[Beach Mama]

Cai - I agree totally at a High School level for uni entrance etc... and also that some schools tend to be more academic/sporting/musical by nature. Many public primary schools now have Montessori/Steiner streams, so I definately think it is important to find a school that caters to your child and will nuture them as a person. I guess what I am against is the notion of a "list" based on performance for a primary school. That is a different story considering the tests that primary schools do, which you can't really compare to VCE/HSC in High schools.

[Rouge]

*blush*

I realise after I posted that we were talking "primary schools" but I guess its still valid on some level, but I agree a list based on performance would be very difficult to regulate and it would hard to be fair especially given how differing each curriculum is.

[Beach Mama]

You are right hun, it is really difficult to be fair and that is why as teachers I know lots of us get our backs up a bit at the word "performance" because there was talk for a while of pay being "performance" based. As a teacher I am there to nuture each and every child, and to give them the opportunity to learn and to come to love learning in a challenging and safe environment. For some kids that means doing their best yes, but compared to others performing in the state, they may fall very short and there lies the problem. I have a head cold so my thoughts aren't coming out that coherently, but the different curriculum across the country is another kettle of fish!!! Sorry mumoflewis - a bit OT but hopefully bits and peices will help you make your decision!

[mrsmac]

I so agree Tan!! When I taught in a disadvantaged area our basic skills results were very poor but the teachers were still great teachers who gave their all for those kids, I think the whole performance based pay is a terribl idea too. We al know people who are great at sounding like they do a lot but in reality do sweet FA LOL
Don't get me started on different curriculums in each state- having taught in NT and NSW I find it so stupid we are so different in each state when people can and do move interstate a lot particularly defence families like we were.

[MumofLewis]

I should have used the word reputation rather than performance, I'm interested in the overall aspects of the school i.e teaching style, cultural awareness, bullying policy, other activities etc etc. (public primary BTW)
While I understand from a teachers point of view the hazard of a 'performance' list, from a parents point of view who has no history in the area, I would like to gather as much info as possible on the schools. I have seen first hand the result of a 5 year old who went to the wrong school for her and she was then up rooted and changed school, friends etc which has had a lasting effect on her.
I will nearer the time speak with other mothers that I can find with kids in the local schools, but I really want to do extensive research and why shouldn't I? DS happiness at school in these early years is crucial for me, I want him to be settled and enjoy those years.

[mrsmac]

I understand that your DS's happiness is your top priority.I think you will find that since he won't be going to school until 2013 that it would be not much use talking to people now as school change with new principals etc. A good way of seeing a school is to go to fetes or market days they have- this wil show you the parents in action (trust me this can often be more important than the teachers LOL)When he goes to playgroup/preschool too you will meet people that are involved in local schools.

[Beach Mama]

I wasn't saying that you shouldn't do research - it was the word performance I guess that for primary teachers is an interesting one and definately isn't an accuarate way to judge a school, for the reasons I have mentioned above. Reputation is another thing, and alot of that relates to things like the bullying policy, culture in the school etc.... I agree with MrsMac, attending fetes, and other community days is a great way to see what the culture of the school is like, and also remember that between now and when Lewis starts school, there will be huge changes in technology, innovation and curriculum as well. Hard choice isn't it - my DH are moving sometime in the next year and it is one of the things that we are thinking about, one area that we are thinking of has a great school with a great rep, and in our own area if we don't move there are about 3 to choose from. Ask any other questions if you like - happy to help!

[anney]

My DD is in prep this year so we have just been through the choosing. Or rather many of the people I know have agonised over the decision while we have a great school 5 minutes around the corner so I went with that. As your DS gets older you will be able to see if there is a particularly environment that would help him thrive. We have about 6 public schools and 3 catholic schools near us and some of my friends went to the open days at about 5 schools and then interviewed the principal of each to make a choice. it can be really confusing. things people might look for are -

1. large school vs small school eg. pros for large are more funding for specialist programs and more ability for kids to be put in an alternate class if problems occur vs pros for small schools - not so many kids in the playground
2. skills/interests of child - one of the mums and her dh sing and play guitar so they were interested in the music program of all schools.
3. school community - looking at the fetes activities is a great way to see how people work together.
4. bullying policy is interesting one - a friend had her child in a scholl with a great bullying policy but it was not put into practice, so best to ask around about that type of thing.
as the others have said - there is a long time to go yet. In your child's kinder year you will have heaps of opportunities to talk about this and research as much as you want. as with lots of things, gut instinct can come into it alot too.

[MumofLewis]

Thanks for these pointers. We will be moving suburbs before then so i will have to look into it all when we decide where to move. I'd like to think he will go to daycare/preschool near the school that he goes to so he will move up with friends etc.

[mrsmac]

That is always a great idea cause kids who start school with other children they know from pre school are usually happier and calmer in the beginning. DD is still friends with her preschool/kindy friends and she is 16!