I've experienced quite a bit on this subject and whether is private or public shouldn't be your main concern, but the education standards. I sent my eldest two to our local Catholic Primary school - as you do being Catholic. I was always a bit sus on the level of education Matthew was receiving, but I would get his reports and feel like I was just being silly. He was well liked by friends and teachers, was on the soccer, cricket, football, swimming team.............. but there was still something that unsettled me. In Grade 3 Matthew sat the GAT test that all Grade 3's across the state take - the results of this totally shocked me. here was a child whose reports said he was on par in all subjects and this test told me his level was around grade's 1 in a few things and PREP in reading! OK - I can hear what you are saying - how did you not notice! Matthew always hated reading especially reading aloud for home reading, yet his journal was always completed by a "reading mum" as wow, great reading, fantastic etc, so I did think he was doing ok. I confronted his teacher (who unfortunately was the sports co-ordinator) who told me that these test never give a true picture of a child, different conditions that they are not used to etc..... I took that on board and then seriously looked at our local primary school for the following year. Zachary would be starting school so it was a great chance to get Matthew a fresh start.
The primary school allowed Matthew and Joshua to come a couple of mornings a week (just like prep orientation) so they could get to know the school and make friends for the following year.
The boys started at the primary school the following year and Matthew's problems were picked up by his teacher in 2 1/2 days. She called me in and we had a chat and we had Matthew in a reading group for the next half of a year. By July, Matthew was up to the standard of an average Grade 4. I was so impressed by the dedication this teacher had. She also made sure that he was in her class the following year so she could keep tabs on his development. Now he is doing great in Year 8.
With us moving later on this year, I have had to make the schooling decision all over again - believe me I really made this into a huge research trip LOL. In the area that we are moving into I have decided on one of the local Catholic Primary schools for Zachary and Christian and a Public High school for Matthew and Joshua.