I don't think it's as simple as Private or Public, but more looking at schools on their own merits and deciding if the benefits (of private) justify the fees etc. Small schools (public or private) can be great and more "personal" but sometimes bigger schools allow for more specialist teachers/programs etc (ie specialist sport, art, language teachers) I've seen this in both sectors. If your child has "special needs" there can sometimes be better access to programs/funding via public schools ( we have several kids at our schools whose siblings went to local private schools but came to us (public) as they were "too hard" for the non govt sector) that said, my little brothers (foster) needed the additional "pastoral care" that the local Christian high school provided that was sorely lacking at their zoned public school When you get to high school, small can mean less subject choice etc - my bro heading into senior school is facing this problem now.

I've probably been no real help but wanted to give you my perspective