Government Primary Schools - how early did you choose?

How early did you start checking out local government schools?
Did you go to open days earlier than the year before you child was going to go to school?

I was out to dinner a couple of weeks ago, and among the other dinner guests were a Kindergarten teacher, a Primary Teacher, and a recently retired Primary Principal, all work/ed in our local area.

The Kindergarten teacher asked me where I was sending my 18month old to school, and had I been to any open days? Other than Private schools (of which there are 2 options) there are a lot of Government and Religious schools and none of them have waiting lists, infact you are not allowed to apply until your child is in Kindergarten.

They started talking about which of the government schools was the best, and when the open days were.

I know these people's knowledge is a valuable resource to have, and I will ask their opinion when the time comes, but why would I go to state school open days, won't the schools and staff etc change over the next 3 years?

I know the schools that were "good" or "bad" when I went to primary school have vastly changed now, and some are the exact opposite of what they were.

I felt like I was put on the spot! I know with private schools you can have your name put down at birth, and it can be advisable, but none of these schools fall into that category.

Hmmm... I always freak out when I read these threads :lol:

Our kids will be going to government/state schools in primary school and we haven't even thought about where we'll send them yet.
It's still a few years away and we want to buy a house before then and don't know where we'll be living.
I really need to put more thought into this though...I guess I'm no help :lol:

Flea, no thats a great help, it makes me feel normal!
While I have thought about private schools, I have given little or no thought at all to public schools. I didn't see the need to becuase I wouldn't have to apply for them for a few more years.

Hi Rachael,

We moved fairly recently (Feb this year) and Olivia starts kindy in 6 months time, so I have only just made enquiries re the local kindy. As a result of those kindy conversations/visits, it has spurred me on to look at the primary options, but I won't be making any visits until Olivia has actually started at kindy.

(We will be going with local government schools BTW).

I reckon that whilst your wee man is 18 months you have enough on your plate with toddler boy! Don't stress about schools for another year or two.........(JMHO!)

Thanks Lucy, thats what I was hoping to hear!

rayray,
my dd is going to school next year so we are in the midst of this. In my opinion, it is a bit silly how much pressure is put on people to choose the right school. Ok, I am old, but in my day everyone went to the one around the corner! anyway I did not go to any open days until this year and only went to one at the school 2 minutes away. You only have to put your enrolment form in at a state school in June of the year before they go so there is absolutely no rush for you.

Please don't panic Ray Ray, your local school (in NSW anyway) MUST take you even if you turn up on day 1 of the year.

It is scary the pressure about school - for example...my DD is only 3 months old...we were given the forms for kindergarten when she was born!!! We are supposed to put in our top 3 preferences asap. I keep forgetting - apart from the fact that I haven't got enough to do without also thinking about where she will go to school in 4 years time! Something to do with projected numbers as the area has such a large growth of young families. I have no idea where we will be in 4 years time....scary really!

Yes it's an important decision but not one you can't change your mind about later on.

My DD's current school, we had the "luxury" of asking about 4 days prior to the start of the school year, as we had just moved into the area and been allocated a house at that time. I interviewed each of the principals of the two nearest schools and based my decision on that. One of them said there was 'no bullying' in their school, the other one talked about the strategies and policies they have re bullying, I went with the school who admitted to it (every school has bullies) and have so far been really happy with them.

On the other hand I have a friend who researched years ahead and placed her DD in a school which was out of area, because it was supposed to be "the best" with an excellent reputation. Unfortunately for her, this means that an enormous percentage of unmanageable children have been dumped into this school, and they have had nothing but grief year after year. Her DD is very bright but is not getting the appropriate extension work as the teachers are worn too thin dealing with chn swearing, throwing and jumping on the furniture.

Personally, I think there is value in moving children if the school environment turns out to be one not best suited to them as an individual. So while it's an important decision, you can always change you mind later on.

I actually only recently rang up our local state school about enrolling DS for prep next year. They are having some info sessions each week, but are not taking formal enrolments until after the Sept school holidays! They don't take any info from you until then, and there are no waiting lists as it is a public school and they have to take everyone. I will admit to not giving too much thought to where we were going to send him - there are 3 public state schools in our area, and we just chose the one closest to us. But after going to an info session and checking out their website and reading their newsletters we are happy with the choice.

I have, however, already booked DD into kindy for 2009 - only because DS is currently at the same kindy and I know how long the waiting lists get!

I already know where my DD will be going to school, but that is because I am a primary school teacher and have the Luxury of knowing extra bits of information about the schools in the area we live. Like everyone else has said though, most pulic school wont take enrolments untill the end of the year before your child start kindy/prep etc. Public schools are obliged to take you if you live in their catchment area, I know some schools in Perth have closed boundaries so you have to live in the catchment area or they dont have to take you.
Dont stress about it too much, like you say lots changes in 3 years and staff turnover etc, makes a huge difference to a school.

Hi,

Although government schools have to take you if you are in their catchment area, I won't wait until the last minute to enrol - your child may then miss out on any transition program they may have (our school's transition program started in Aug). My advice would be to start talking to the local schools at the beginning of the year prior to the year your child will be commencing (but first give the school a chance to settle in their current year's intake, so maybe start looking in March).

Cheers, Mary

I wouldn't worry, just enjoy this time and worry about that the year before he is meant to start.

What has helped my girls is having them at a pre-school close to home for at least a year, that way they know kids that will be going to the local school also and i found that made the transition so easy as dd had a group of friends already.

We have the catchement area here too so dont have a choice unless you go private (or you put someone elses address to say you live in another area). You don't want to have to drive out of the area (well I don't) it is so much easier only having to go around the corner seeing as though you have to go there a couple of times a day.

Schools like to hear from the following year's parents in about August when they are organising their orientation program and looking at numbers for the following year. We are currently getting ready for orientation which is in November at our school. If you approach them too early in the year they will just put your name down and tell you to wait.