Which would you choose?

[C~Q]

(so before I begin let me say I googled would you...and was about to put in choose to see if it's chose or choose and Google came up with "would you...eat your cat" )

Ok, the topic...I was considering moving. To be closer to the majority of my work and also closer to XH. And then put my two and his step daughter in the same school. We are all civill and I thought it owuld be easier for pick ups etc. Plus I wouldn't have to drive 45 mins every eve to and from work.

There are two schools to consider...one that his step daughter T goes to and another that they may consider swapping T to if my kids choose to go there.

So the first school Gumdale has done really, really well in their Naplan results. Above average on EVERYTHING, but T's Mum K went in there the other day and said that it was really cold and clinical and didn't really want T to go there. The other school Tingalpa is where T already goes, it's really small and friendly and they are very happy there but...thy did below average on EVERYTHING on their Naplan tests.

So of course XH is all about the results and wants them to go to Gumdale but i'm not so sure. What do you think is more important?? A warm, caring school or results.

I intend to go to both and get my own opinion of the schools and also, if I cant go back to work anytime soon I may ending up not moving at all and eating in to all my savings

But, if I do move...which school would you choose?

TIA...and btw no, I wouldn't eat my cat lol

[*Sparklez*]

i think i would choose the actual school in itself over the results as i know the results are just based on the overall results of the tests etc.. i think results will not be an advantage to ur kids its their own assertiveness to their education thats what they will beenfit from i thnk the smaller friendly ones are the ones that will be more open to ur kids needs and the education of all students not the ones that are boosting the schools overall performance iykwim?

[Jennifer13]

I think I'd go to the school myself and see what I thought of it (particularly the principal and the teachers in general). TBH I have a really hard time evaluating a school on others' impressions (and NAPLAN results, although I would be concerned if there was a particular school in our area which did significantly worse than others, ITMS).

If I thought the school 'felt' right and that my DD would be comfortable, then I would discount what everyone else thought (and I have in a few cases). One of the things we considered was how well DD would fit in socially, would she have friends there, neighbours, etc. We can walk to her school next year and it felt like we were more part of a community. So it's not all about results, no. Or else we'd have probably put our hands in our pockets and forked out over $10K for school fees just for kindy.

[*Sparklez*]

p.s its nice to know u wouldnt eat ur cat too lol

[sloane]

i'd visit both & choose the one i felt suited my child/ren better. it doesn't matter how good a school's results seem to be, if it's not the right learning environment for your child, then they won't necessarily do well. i think if it's the right envorinment, then your child will blossom & learn. you could bring up the naplan concerns when you visit the school & see what they have to say?

i don't have a cat, but if i did, i wouldn't eat it

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I think I'd go to the school myself and see what I thought of it (particularly the principal and the teachers in general). TBH I have a really hard time evaluating a school on others' impressions (and NAPLAN results, although I would be concerned if there was a particular school in our area which did significantly worse than others, ITMS).

:yeahthat:

I would be going to see both and talking to both principals before even starting to think about making a decision. I would be more inclined to make a decision based on my own child, how the school can cater to them and what I think is best for them rather than Naplan results. Good luck!

[Party-of-five]

Its hard to say my DSs school is cold and unwelcoming and is below average on the naplan tests...but DS loves it and does very well on the naplan tests.
I think going to both schools and maybe talking to some other parents if thats an optinion?

[bon]

If you can, go and see the schools for yourself. I would be really reluctant to judge a school just on NAPLAN results. They really reveal nothing about a school and its teachers. Lower than average NAPLAN results does not necessarily mean bad teachers or poor teaching methods, or even that kids aren't learning what they need to learn. It can be due to any number of reasons, and also is no indication of how your own children will fare academically if they attend that school. That is the problem with tests. Some kids just don't do well with examinations such as that, particularly primary school children, and how they rate in the NAPLAN test is not a good indication of how they are going overall.

[Beach Mama]

Eat a cat

As for Naplan, they are one day, one test and definitely not a guiding light to all a school has to offer. I have taught at schools with appalling Naplan restults, but they have the most dynamic and innovative teachers you will ever see. I would say go with how you feel AT the school, look at all the programs they are offering for all students in all ranges of ability, what extra curricula activities they have, and how you feel within yourself about the school. If it feels cold and clinical it probably is. Good luck choosing, it is really difficult.

[Fleur]

i'd visit both & choose the one i felt suited my child/ren better. it doesn't matter how good a school's results seem to be, if it's not the right learning environment for your child, then they won't necessarily do well. i think if it's the right envorinment, then your child will blossom & learn. you could bring up the naplan concerns when you visit the school & see what they have to say?

i don't have a cat, but if i did, i wouldn't eat it

:yeahthat: I think it comes down to how you feel about each school. In my mind, life isn't all about your school results - I'd be less worried about NAPLAN results & more inclined to choose a school that I felt comfortable with in other areas ITMS.

[Sopdet]

can you also make it to a p&c meeting to see what support the schools have from the community

T is also a different personality to P and C

[Lulu]

With DD1 I dropped in on a few schools in the area (not open days cos I think I'm more ninja that way) and although one school had this awesome language immersion program and was very very academic, the atmosphere was so serious! We went with the school that the kids were all so bubbly, the principal knew the name of every student that ran past.

Ummm, so go with the feel I think.

[ladybird11]

The NAPLAN results are only based on one test (different topics) on one occassion, aren't they? (I was wondering this the other day actually). If so, then I'd be more inclined to visit both schools and see what atmosphere will suit your kids best.

[Beach Mama]

The NAPLAN results are only based on one test (different topics) on one occassion, aren't they? (I was wondering this the other day actually).

Yep they do a writing/spelling/grammar, reading and maths and they are done across 2 separate days but it is still essentially one small test on one day.

[toomanyshoes]

I think I'd go to the school myself and see what I thought of it (particularly the principal and the teachers in general). TBH I have a really hard time evaluating a school on others' impressions (and NAPLAN results, although I would be concerned if there was a particular school in our area which did significantly worse than others, ITMS).

I always like to check it out for myself, what suits one person may not suit you and your DD.

[C~Q]

Thanks guys, I was definitely thinking about going in and seeing both. I'll wait and see whats happening with my leg and if i'm moving or not then make some appointments.

I'm glad others think more about the atmosphere of the school as well, I thought maybe I was being wishy washy!!

[Pandora]

Based on the tuckshop menu (as all school choices are made!) Id go for Tingalpa. Those Gumdale kids are going to be on sugar highs all day.

[C~Q]

Lol! I haven't even looked at the websites yet...good idea, i'll do that now