Community and therefore locality was important to us. That the girls would be going to school with those kids who they would also be associating with in the community. We had picked the nearest kinder, which happened to have a good connection to the school. Most of the mums I deal with now (some are now friends) are from the kinder and DD1's closest friends are also from the kinder.

For me, academics mean nothing without a good emotional grounding and support. The friendships for DD1 are important to me, that she is happy to go to school so she can learn. Also the support I now get from the wider community is important to our family (no extended family near by).

I realise that there are going to be good years and bad years. Also that I would not really know that a school is any good until we use it. So I have taken the attitude give the school a go and if it does not work out, then look elsewhere.

Oh, on a petty side, parking. Go past the school at pick up time. Some are pure hell. A stressful drop off and pick up, can make for one stressed family