Hmmm, hard one. I'm a primary teacher and I've worked in private and public. I personally don't think it makes that much difference in primary- you start to see the big differences in public vs private education once you hit high school. My DH and I have already said that we will prob do public for primary and then go private.
Our plan since having kids has always been public for primary and private for high school. Which is what I did.
Although I am willing to check out the public high school in the area closer to actually having to make that decision. DH went to the high school near us and from what he said it doesn't sound good, but things change, we also might move between now and then.
I think it's important to go look at the schools for yourself, lots have open days and see what is on offer to children.
Personally I don't think it matters whether you go public or private for primary, but definitely check out both schools properly before making your decision.
You can always put your name on the list for the private school and make a decision closer to 2015, just because your name is down doesn't mean you have to take the place when it is offered.
our first bub is only 11 months old but we're pretty sure we are doing public for primary and private for high school.
I believe it is truly how much time you spend with your child reading, writing, helping with maths and incorporating maths into their lives that makes the difference in primary school. I reckon if the parents are willing to put in the time and effort with a young child it doesn't matter overly much which school they go to for primary.
but private for high school for the choice of subjects and more optional extras you get.
but if your choice school does p-12, then lucky you! no major upheaval when they change to high school!
Would you have much luck in getting your child into the high school classes if she didn't go primary there?
Last year I enrolled my DD and DS into private primary school - purely because I knew that if we wanted to send them to a private school I wanted to secure a place.
So we looked around (public and private) and I liked the 'feeling' of the school we selected the most. Given that things can change greatly in short period of time if the 'feeling' has left the private school prems and lies with the public school when time comes, we've lost $100 - no biggy considering its holding two places for my kids for our (current) first choice school.
I've heard from a colleague who just went thru the process of moving his kids into private school from public, that compared to the public school his kids were going too the kids at the private school went thru double the amount of workbooks in the same period of time (but remember, I'm talking about individual schools here - doesn't mean at all this is the same across the State, or country for that matter ;-).
DD's school is P-12. I dont see the point in sending a child to a public primary then a private high school - to me, it doesnt make sense kids soak up more info until they hit puberty, then it starts slowing down (apologies if other ppl dont think so, but with all those hormones raging, who can concentrate??)
A friend of mine and I went to a public primary she was pretty intelligent, her folks put her in a private catholic school and she struggled with the work because she wasn't taught the way the private primary school kids were so they had tutors.
Another example is my cousin is in year 5 (2 grades higher than DD) does not do half the school work DD does. DD does fractions, ratio's equations, DD writes essay's and speeches for assignments .... oh dont get me started on the freaking english homework (thank god for google!! ) it all depends on what you are prepared/can afford to pay.
DD was enrolled @ 3years old, but of course they have to pass their orientation exam .... Yes exam ...
Anyways - me personally, I would be devastated if I had to send my child to a public school, (please dont take offence to that, but that is my opinion of the schools in our area) but I remember how ruff it was. I also know the care DD gets at school, and none of the public schools I feel would be able to even come close to DD's school! We are not religious either, infact when DD was enrolled I was a single mother!
Good Luck choosing, but for us, its Private all the way.
Teachers are trained in the same universities - there is no difference between the training of public and private school teacher IMO. Yes some catholic teachers go through Catholic teacher training but not for other Private schools.
I am a huge advocate for public education, I work in it, I send my children to public schools. My DD finished high school last year and is at Uni now after a public education.
I hate to tell you but there are poor teachers in all systems, there will be bullies in all systems- private schools do not give you a charmed life.
I think private religious schools are great for people who strongly believe in the ethos of the school and want their child's education to reflect their religious beliefs but not for those who just send their kids there cause they want them to go to a private school.
You're right, mrsmac. I'm pretty sure my old school would fail on any measure, accademic or otherwise, especially back then. Although there have been improvements in the last 15 years (goodness, I feel old!). However, there's no comparison between that school and the public school we chose for DD. I was very impressed with the teachers, the technology and the generally friendly atmosphere.
And maybe it's worth pointing out that despite our under-performing school, we had some fabulous teachers. Out of my year came an optometrist, an anaesthetist, two lawyers, a vet, an OT, an audiologist, a teacher, a director, a couple of accountants, a chef with his own restaurant, a couple of public servants and I'm sure there are other noteworthy achievements amongst those I did not keep in touch with. There's so much you can do for your children by your own attitude to education and its importance that no school can give them.
Onyx - I so wish DD's school was bi-lingual. She's been doing French at preschool for two years and I'm very sorry she won't be continuing it. We're thinking about doing a 12 mth stint in France down the track, where she certainly won't be attending a private school! I think the experience will give her something more than any school here can. So we'll be saving on the private school fees to make that happen now. Let's just say we were inspired by your trip!
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) it all depends on what you are prepared/can afford to pay.
Let's just say we were inspired by your trip!
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