I've lived in QLD, NSW, WA and VIC. Unfortunately Victorian public schools are the worst in terms of uniforms and the facilities of the schools and from what I've heard; teacher morale. Most of them are shockingly maintained, consist of portable classrooms etc. If we lived in a country town things would be different and our kids would probably thrive there. Too many schools that I've been to here seem to have the vibe: "we're all only here 'cos we gotta be... we don't give a toss about our environment (granted they are probably not given the funding but you don't need funding to teach the kids not to destroy things) or the way we dress". Unfortunately, yes, I am making judgements based on external appearances but I believe they reflect the culture of the school. I know I might sound like a complete snob too but so many people we know wouldn't catch public transport (like I do) because it's all too "icky, unreliable, full of psychos etc" or use the public hospital system (like I am planning to) for the same reasons but are happy to use the public education system. Maintaining your own private car and paying private health care fees cost thousands per year too... I agree private education is very expensive but it's more important to me than getting around in my own car (for example). I'm not saying I'm right... just defensive and confused when friends of ours are happy to spend thousands on upgrading flash cars on an almost yearly basis and maintaining lifestyles that I think are highly luxurious yet complain about having to pay for their children's education.