Private or Public ?

[2girlz]

Just after some input on schools
At the moment we are paying almost $1000 in child care a quarter per child and wondering whether it is worth putting our girls into Private school I have been told that the cost of the private schools are around the same price as what I pay for child care (please correct me if i'm wrong) I would like to know if anyone thinks there is a benefit of going private compared to public. I know they are a lot more strict on uniforms which is what I like I can't stand seeing these high school girls in tiny skirts and make up like they are going clubbing. DF is a little worried about the excursions they go on, instead of Australia zoo it's China for example. I would love to hear your oppinions and experience

p.s I live in Caboolture AKA boganville

[tan32]

HI
I am in SA so things may be a bit different.
My DD goes to a private school and my DS will be starting their next year. I love the fact that they have to wear a uniform as it saves so much time and hassle in the morning. My daughter is a fashion guru and takes forever to get ready when she has free choice of clothes. Although i do know some public schools also have uniforms.
The uniforms can be expensive but then they dont need many other clothes , just a few play clothes and a going out outfit.
At our school our excursions are included in our fees and at primary level they only go on 2 camps and it def isnt to China. I dont know what they will do in high school though.
I guess it depends on the school, some private schools are stricter and do have those big excursions while some are more money friendly but still great quality, This is also the same for public.
I suggest you go around and check out the local schools in your area both private and public and suss out what parents in your area think.

Sorry i dont think i was much help then

[Kailani]

Hmm I went to a private school in primary up until year 10 and the fees were a lot more than that, although they increase with every year level, so they may start off rather reasonably in prep but then they suddenly skyrocket! Maybe it's just the schools around here in Melb though...

FWIW, what I noticed from going from a private to a public school is that at private they are more disciplined, very and maybe a little too much focused on appearance/reputation, so the uniform, hair, makeup, jewelry thing had strict rules (the school I attended held an assembly saying that we were to wear neutral coloured underwear because colour apparently showed through our white dresses, definitely no black or red bras!). However, it was good as there were smaller class sizes, it was more interactive and you got more one on one time with the teacher, the facilities tend to be better. Very results focused in high school and during primary school it was all about developing confidence and teamwork. My primary school years were full of sports carnivals, presentations, musicals, competitions, etc. There was a school camp every year from grade 3. They weren't excessive like China or anything! The grade 5/6 camp was to Canberra though...
Even though I only went to public school for vce, I found it to be more independent learning which to me is great preparation if you're wanting to do tertiary study, yet the teachers were always available to review you work and give you feedback.

To answer your original question... I think there is a benefit going to private school - for me it was the smaller class sizes, therefore more teacher time for your kids and more chance to develop skills because the teachers don't just teach "the class" and go at one standard pace while there are students falling behind, they have more time to catch you up if you are behind or not grasping something and they are continually monitoring your progress. There were also more activities and events, like I mentioned the sport and music and performing was a big thing.

But anyway, there are pros and cons that really need to be considered for both and it depends a lot on the schools you have in your area, so find out all you can about them!

[Aimz]

My best friend went to Private School and I can tell you its a lot more than $1000 a year!

When they are younger it's cheaper and the excursions etc are included but as soon as they hit high school the fees go up and the excursions head overseas - all of which has to be paid for by the parents. You will also be up for additional fees for sports and extracurricular activities.

My friend went to a exclusive Melbourne school and her fees were $10K per year for tuition and if she boarded it was an additional $13K. She also did rowing as a sport which was a further $8K. That was from years 10-12.

If you like the structure of a private school then go for it - but personally I don't think it makes much of a difference if they are public. I'm not sure which way we will go yet, when the time comes. We don't want to send our kids to a religious school but we love the idea of Montessori and Rudolf Steiner - so we would be willing to pay for that kind of education.

[Indadhanu]

Hmmmm, well I went public and every school I went to had to wear a uniform (6 different schools - 4 primary, 2 high). We also had strict uniform and appearance, our skirts were never allowed higher than our knee lol, and white/beige bras under our shirts. Both my high schools had New Zealand camps! And in one of my primary schools the year 7 class went to Canberra each year!! My primary AND high school years were full of sports carnivals and music performances (I have played clarinet since year 5) and camps etc. We did school challenges, and those battle of the minds etc, estedfords (sp?)...

Anyway... my personal opinion is that you need to find the school that fits your kids. I don't think that a private school is better than public if the public school has programs that your kids are interested in. New use sending them to 'the best academic school' if they want to excel in sports, and new use sending them to a great sports school if they want to focus on science, or music etc.
I guess primary is a bit different as they aren't usually as focused on one or the other but just something to think about I suppose. Private doesn't necessarily mean better. It doesn't mean longer skirts or less bullying or better grades. Public doesn't mean short skirts and no hopers etc.

[PinkPalace]

hi there!
i went to a public primary school and a private high school.

We will be sending our children to public primary school and havent decided on high school yet...
Like the girls said you have to do more research into the individual school.

I know my school was only 3000 a year (we are talking almost 15 years ago though when i start).. but in brisbane the highest costing girls school is $12000 a year for prep!

so you need to know what school and for what reasons (ie sport/education/ dance etc).

Also i never got sent to china! lol. and you are never obligied to attend the expensive trips.
I think i went to straddy, dreamworld that sort of thing but never over seas or even canberra

DH went to public high school and he even went to canberra ! lol...

Also if you are looking private you really need to look now as they book up very early- some take enrolments from birth

[2girlz]

My best friend went to Private School and I can tell you its a lot more than $1000 a year!

Sorry I ment we pay $1000 per quarter of the year so roughly $4000 a year for childcare but I am prepared to pay more for their education

I went to over 10 different public and primary and high schools (we moved a lot )
I like the idea of discipline and smaller classes and honestly I don't think it happens too often in public plus I know the class sizes are massive. This sounds horrible but I also think private schools are a lot better maintained and better equiped especially in my area. I know for a fact DF doesn't want to pay the money aaahhhh so hard to choose!

[Kailani]

Oh yes, and to add to what Leasha said, it also depends on what the particular school has to offer and what they focus on and if they will cater for your kids certain interests/talents etc. I left the private school because it didn't offer the subjects I wanted to study for vce and the public school did, simple as that!

[Aimz]

It is a lot of money but you need to weigh up what is going to be best for your girls. As Leash said - it's not about public vs private - it's about what programs the schools run and what areas they specialise in (sporty, arts, academics etc). Some public schools are better than private in this regard.

Also, a private education doesn't mean a better life, a better education, smarter kids, better behaved kids or higher paid jobs in their future. Any kid can have all of those things whether they are at a public or a private school - it's how well they apply themselves that counts.

[Amaunet]

I teach in a Public Secondary school in NSW. We are very strict on uniform and behaviour and offer many opportunities to our students (including overseas trips). Our teachers are all qualified teachers (not always so in a private school) and we get excellent HSC results and do well value adding to our "struggling" students. I am not in an "affluent" area and yes we have to take everyone (something Private Schools do not have to contend with). I have also done some teaching in Private Schools and truly believe it is up the THE CHILD whether or not they will do well - with the support of parents and their school. I also know most Private schools are A LOT more than $4k per year especially as they get older - many are at least $8-9K plus books, uniforms and everything else. Some schools require you to purchase a laptop!

Choice in Education is a good thing - it makes everyone do their jobs better - but just because it costs more - doesn't make it better. Public schools are not filled with horrible children - but do reflect every part of society - a society we all have to live and work in at some point. You can also apply to Public Schools out of your area if you are not keen on your local. Catholic Systemic Schools (a great system) tend to be a bit cheaper but also tend to have the same issues as Public Schools as they are generally fairly open with their enrolments.

For what its worth the worst behaviour I have dealt with was at a private girls school (the rudeness and arrogance was unbelievable and they were supported in this behaviour by their parents)

I think - could i invest that $8k per year for university or so they could travel or buy a house?

This is just my experience and opinion - being a parent is a hard job and I wish you luck in making the best decision for your kids.

K