Following on from another thread regarding private v's public eductaion I thought I'd share a recent experience.

I recently attended a black tie function that is an annual event held by one of Australias top 10 private schools. I won't say which school other than it was here in Melbourne. We were invited as my husbands company is involved with the school.

I was seated next to a fellow I had never met. He was introduced to me as "this is xxxxxxxx and he is a Rhodes Scholar". My initial thought was OK, nothing more nothing less. Anyway, one of the first things this man said to me was "so, what school did you go to?" I was a little surprised, I left school 22 years ago so why is it relevant? I didn't of course say that I merely told him I went to a very small public school in Newcastle that he would not have heard of. I also asked him why he wanted to know. To my shock and horror he replied something along the lines of the school I attended would give him an idea of my socio-economic status!!! I couldn't believe it!! He was actually deciding if I was important enough financially to be bothered with.

I am the daughter of a steel worker, who's mother was a SAHM, I went to the local public primary and high school (as did my 2 sisters and brother). I consider myself to be articulate, well spoken, intellegent and quite an interesting person, I have travelled to many exotic and interesting places and I have post-grad tertiary education. But someone please tell me why the school I went to or the financial status of my parents has any bearing on me as an adult.

So, I am left pondering...

Does the school you went to matter?
Does private schooling afford you priviledges that would otherwise not be open to you?
Does it play a role in your future eg job selection, lifestyle choices etc?
Does it shape the person/adult you become?