School Interview

[Pandora]

DS is registered for enrollment (so pre-enrollment) at an independant school.
We got formal notification that the registration had been recieved in the form of a letter indicating the next step in the enrolment process is a formal interview with the vice principal, and that DS will need to attend this interview also.

So im scared, what are they going to ask me?
Should i have questions prepared?

[*Ang*]

DD and now this year DS attend a catholic private school and their interviews for kindy were more like informal "chats" outlining the schools philosophies, teaching etc. They didnt really ask us any specific questions, more along the lines of "Is there anything we as parents expect from the school/teachers".

As for the kids, they were really just taken on tours of the school and given toys/colouring in to play with in the office. The principal then asked a couple of standard questions like "are you looking forward to starting school, what do you like to play with?" etc etc.

In our instance it was nothing too much to worry about. Oh they usually ask what you as a parent can contribute towards the school eg music or handyman skills come to mind.

[Oorki Galoorki]

OI!
no point going to that interview if your moving to here! hehehe

im pretty sure they are just chats about the philosiphies of the school and if you have similar..

[nic]

I have absolutely no idea, but my first thought was to see if the school has a website? Maybe reading about their policies/philosophies, will help to generate a few questions?

[Muppity]

They will probably cover it all but here are some things that you could consider asking:

school policy on bullying
class sizes
number of classes in each year
teacher retention rates (usually a good sign of how the school is going - but hard to ask directly - maybe something like "so how long have you been here")
extra activities - like music lessons, sporting teams, excursions etc

But mainly it will be just a getting to know you sort of thing. Nothing to stress about at all.

[Turkish Delight]

Hey Pandora.
I couldn't figure out who you were and you were really doing my head in, but now i know who you are! I was even considering posting in the Messages Forum asking who you were

Anyways, nothing to be afraid of. My DS goes to an independent school too. We had the same. It is just a process they have to go through. Will your DS have to sit a test? Mine did. Quite basic stuff really.

Muppity has given some great ideas on what to ask. I also asked about gifted policies and what they do with kids such as these, if there was a PTA.

teacher retention is a good question. Ask directly about it. There is no need to be shy about questions which will influence your childs learning.

GL.