WA Boarding Schools

[~clover~]

Can anyone help?

99% chance that DD1 will be off to boarding school in year 8 (possibly year 9, will see how we go).

Are there any outside Perth, especially down south? And can anyone share any experiences with them?

If you were choosing, would you go co-ed or all girls?? I like the all girls idea, but I really don't know which would be the better option.

Also - Religious vs Independant. I believe Independant are higher fees? There's one near Albany I'm going to look more into. Its alot closer than Perth schools.

[LuluHB]

Can't help with any location wise outside the Perth metro area, but FWIW, I would go all girls I think if I was sending my kids to boarding school. They go to a co-ed private school now, but if it was to be that extra step of boarding I would rather not have boys around. From what I understand through friends who have gone to all girls/all boys schools, they have a sister/brother school so there is still the opportunity for lots of social, sporting etc interaction with members of both sexes.

Not sure about the religious v. independent in terms of fees being higher for independent. Not sure you get any higher than (for girls) what they charge at Perth College, MLC or PLC and they're definitely religious based.

[Amaunet]

No idea on the schools in the area either, but wanted to mention that I went to a coed boarding school I think it was good "growing up" with boys around (and vice versa for the boys) Having them in my classes, hanging about after school at dinner etc. It was often like having heaps of brothers (and sisters) Boys weren't a "novelty" iykwim? I went to a "disco" at an all boys boarding school...the boys were disgusting and lecherous, they weren't used to being around girls! (but I'm positive not all boys schools are like that) it also stood me in good stead living on campus at uni, again the accom was coed and again I was "used to" having boys around. Just my 2c

[~clover~]

Thanks guys

I'm going to look into the school at Albany alot more. I wasn't sure about DD2 & boarding, but I might feel better if it was only 2.5 hours away rather than 4. She might handle it better. The schools here aren't much of an option...

[Phteven]

I went to a co-ed boarding school and before that to an all girls one. The co-ed school was a lot less um..... hysterical. It could have just been because the headmistress at the girl's school was an utter tool and the headmistress at the co-ed school was one of the most remarkable and stylish women I have ever met rather than a result of having no Y chromosones about. Who knows.

[onthefly]

There are some. but can't remember names. if you google, you shall find.

i know people who went to all-girls schools. they got up to HEAPS of trouble. (and yes, these were very good schools)

[~clover~]

I was thinking an all girls school would be less distraction... But at the same time without boys around all the time it might be worse!

I'll just have to read all I can about every school & decide from there. Forget the boy/girl thing & see which one feels better to me.

Thanks all

[Amity]

I went to an all girls school which had boarders. The boarders loved it.

[~clover~]

Does anyone have any information on bursaries? Can you get help outside the school, or is there only the ones the school has on their websites available?

We'll be able to get the isolated assistance from centrelink & with me working I might be able to afford the rest, but it'll be near impossible once the other kids start high school & the fees start over lapping.

I'm pretty sure I'll be sending DD2 to the local high school for a year or 2 first. I really don't think she'll cope being away full time like DD1. But it doesn't have a very good reputation. I am happy for DD1 to go from year 8. She copes well with life, DD2 just doesn't.

[Bathsheba]

We sent our DD to an Anglican Highschool that introduced a boy's boarding dormitory in her second year there. It was across town so no high jinks etc. It is an interesting situation: All girls high school, all boys high school. Under the same umbrella i.e. managed by the same admin... only the senior students in years 11 and 12 have mixed gender subjects. DD had been to all-girls schools since she was in pre-school and she adapted well to sharing the class with boys in year 11. We were all quite happy with the arrangement.

BTW ALL non-government schools are called "Independent". Some Independent schools are Catholic, some Anglican etc. Anglican ones are usually more expensive than Catholic.

[~clover~]

I've recently found out there are hostels closer to home. Around 2 hours away instead of 3 or 4. Their fee's are only around $1800 for the year rather than the average of $18000 for boarding. So I'm going to look more into that now as well.