DH and I, and my mum and aunty, are all teachers in public schools. We all went to public schools and all of our children will also attend public schools. I think the reasoning that you get better teachers is wrong - so many private schools have less experienced teachers than public. Class sizes are also an issue - govt schools have max 24 in year 1,2 and 3 wheras the private school my niece and nephew attend have 32. They also do less "extras" than DD - they both do phys ed but only she does dance, drama and music.

I think it is a personal decision but if there is a great public school nearby why not go there. We also could not justify the fees.