school worries

[Guest squirt]

hi

new to all of this, just starting the whole process.

we have an 11 year old daughter who at the moment is at a really good private school in England, and are concerned that we are doing the right thing for her, education wise, as we have limited information about schools (private or state). We have looked at websites etc. but could really use personal experiences.

Can anyone help?

 

 

Ian, Sara and Kirbie:arghh:

[Guest Libby1971]

Annesley Girls School is one that is on South Terrace and allegedly one of the best schools in Adelaide. Cabra Dominica (Cross Road) is also good as is St Ignatius (don't know where exactly but think to north of city)

 

I say allegedly as I don't know these schools. I haven't been to one nor do I know anyone who sends their children there. From within the private school system, these schools have seriously good reputations.

 

Go to www.adelaidebound.com and follow the links to schools. I think somewhere you can get the lists of schools up, follow them and find the sites for the schools given. You should be able to get an idea of the fees etc then.

 

If you need any more help, shout!

 

Libby

 

PS It might need to be a loud shout as I am in Oz and I don't think you are !!!!

[Guest squirt]

hi Libby

 

Sorry should have said, we are in Coventry, West Midlands.

Thankyou for the info, dont want to sound like crazy parents but we are just worried, we are open to state or private schools, just want to make sure Kirbie (our daughter) settles and is happy. Want to try and hit the right area but feels like we are pinning a tail on a donkey at the moment.

 

Thanks again

 

Sara:)

[richjop]

There seems to be pretty much everything here re schools, we live very near to the City so I can only comment on these, other members please fill in the gaps for their areas. We have chosen to send Ben to a small private Lutheran school that is a feeder for a school called Concordia that has a good all round reputation. There are many different schools, some just do primary, some are mixed, some single sex, some not too expensive others very expensive (Scotch is nearly $20,000 a year in the final years). I think what you need to do is ask yourself the following questions:

 

Single sex or mixed?

Reception-year 12 or move at year 6/7?

Any particualr religious aspect required?

Location you are planning to live in Adelaide-people will drive quite a way for schools

How much are you willing to pay?

Any particualr specialist areas, sport, music?

 

I'm sure there are others, its early in the morning!!

 

Once you have a better idea hopefully it will seem less daunting and people will be able to point you in the right direction. As I have said many times, I'm a great believer in going into the schools and getting a feel for them, we were impressed by small things such as the principal knowing all the children by name and the respect they gave him.

 

Hope this helps

 

Joanne

[Guest Libby1971]

Joanne is absolutely right

 

If the kids don't respect the Head, they won't respect the rules either. So they won't behave and there won't be any learning as a result for the most part.

 

Strongly suggest you find an area you like the look of first. THEN look at schools. Nearly all the private ones have a school bus system that drops kids off although this is an extra charge

 

Libby

[Guest salisbury massive]

at the moment I've got a daughter in private and a daughter in State.

Mainly the problem is what part of Adelaide you want to live in, its no good me extolling the virtues of the private school my daughter is at in the North East if you want to live by the beach.

 

Here is the web address for the Independant Schools in Adelaide

 

http://www.ais.sa.edu.au/html/about_schools.asp

 

When we first arrived here i was shocked at the difference in schooling between here and the UK. The private school my daughter goes to is much more like an english school with regard to uniform and curriculum. My other daughter, has a much easier curriculum in state school and they are doing work that is behind the UK. they are not pushed as hard in the early years, there are no ofsted checks and they do tests in years 3, 5 & 7 to make sure the school is in line with the national average.

 

At the private school we pay $1100 a term in fees, so $4,400for the year.the uniform for all of it cost $660 and there is a book list that we paid $300 for the year. it is one of the more expensive schools in the north east suburbs, we are not loaded by any stretch, in fact she went there purely because the state high school was terrible and this was my only option. I am however very happy with the school and she is a different kid since she started going there.

 

State school costs between $180 - $250 a year plus trips and excursions.

 

Have a look here for lists of state schools, click on the red map of Adelaide and then you can access all the areas in the metropolitian area

http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/locs/

 

I've been very happy with state and private but if your daughter is used to private school, its what i'd go with.

 

Incidently I'm originally from Coventry (Wyken Croft) Still got family in Walsgrave and Nuneaton.

 

Jo

[Guest squirt]

Thankyou everyone for all the info, its really does help to hear from people with personal experience.

It seems that we will have to chose the right area first and then have a good look around at the schools, (long way yet) but at least there are lots of options.

 

Thank again and if anyone has any positives or negatives that they think might be helpful we would love to hear them.

 

Sara

 

P.S. Jo (salisbury massive) We live in Binley, but I went to Wyken Croft infant school until we moved to Potters Green. How does Adelaide compare to Coventry???????????

[Guest salisbury massive]

Hi Sara

 

Well its a hard question that. Coventry is very hard to beat!!!!!!

 

Just imagine Coombe Abbey with a small perfectly laid out City Centre in the middle of it and you've got Adelaide, though at the moment not quite so green:v_SPIN: as Coombe Abbey is right now.

 

There is less graffitti, less litter, certainly less yobs, the houses are newer, not covered in green litchen or mould, the roads are wider and there are not parked cars up and down both sides of the street.

 

I don't think you'll make a mistake coming here.

 

Jo

[Guest andylynnchriskirst]

We are in similar boat. We have a 16 year old who is finishing his GCSE's in July and a 14 year old who is currently in year 10. I don't understand which year they will be in when/if we get to oz? Is there anyone else out there with similar aged children as alot on this site have younger ones?

[Skittle]

We are in similar boat. We have a 16 year old who is finishing his GCSE's in July and a 14 year old who is currently in year 10. I don't understand which year they will be in when/if we get to oz? Is there anyone else out there with similar aged children as alot on this site have younger ones?

 

Hi, my son was 14 in July 2007 and had just finished Year 9 in the UK when we arrived here. He has just started Year 9 again in January, it depends when their birthday is. I think the cut off here is April, ie my son is now one of the older ones in his year whereas he used to be one of the younger ones. (If that makes any sense at all!)

 

Hope this has helped.

 

Karen

[Rachiegarlo]

Hi, regarding private schools in Adelaide, here are some of the ones I know about.

 

Annesley college- www.annesley.sa.edu.au - small girls school, near the centre of Adelaide. About 500 girls reception to yr 12. Junior school to gr 6, middle school gr7-9, seniors 10-12. Aim to get the best out of each girl. This school is a quiet achiever. Parents are usually both working, choose the school for its family atmosphere. As the school is small, the girls get a chance to be on the teams etc, . Opened a Performing arts stream about 3 yrs ago called studio. If the girls successfully audition for the dance or drama streams then they replace some lessons with their chosen field and can participate in the dance / musical theatre/ drama companies. Academically sound school. Very old fashioned about their uniform...(uniting church)

 

Walford Girls - www.walford.net.au Very academic, girls participate and do well in many competitions such as tournement of the minds , chess, etc. About 700 girls from reception to yr 12. The families I know who have daughters there are very happy with it. (anglican)

 

Seymour College - www.seymour.sa.edu.au about 800 girls reception to yr 12. Junior school - rec to yr 5, Middle yr 6 - yr 9, senior 10-12. Academic and sporting. Large grounds, a wide variety of subjects and opportunities.(uniting church)

 

St peter's girls - www.saintpetersgirls.sa.edu.au About 700 girls. Academic , music is good here, they have lots of opportunities for the girls. Girls participate in sport at a high level.(Anglican)

 

Wilderness - www.wilderness.com.au About 600 girls, academic and strong in music. Performing arts.

values leadership.( non denominational)

 

basically all these schools are strong academically, getting good results at yr 12 level, but also giving the girls a chance to broaden themselves. They all have a strong Parents and friends group that fund raises for the school, etc. Each school services a different type of people depending on what it is they are looking for in a school.

 

there are some Catholic girls schools...these tend to have cheaper fees because they get funding from the catholic church aswell as the government. Loreto College is the biggest, is well thought of and tries to educate not only the mind but also social awareness. In the centre of Adelaide there are St Aloysious College and st Mary's College. These are quiet achievers too, taking in a wide variety of girls, and refugees.

 

Coed schools ...

St Johns Grammar www.stjohns.sa.edu , Montessori -yr 12. Based in belair most of the kids come from the surrounding hills suburbs, but a few travel up from the other suburbs.last years yr 12s did extremely well. They are also held in good regard by other privare schools. senior school has only been going about 10 yrs. Aim to emphasise inclusion and education of the whole child rather than just the bright sparks.

 

pembroke school www.pembroke.sa.edu.au , rec-6, 7 - 10, 11-12. very strong in music, very popular. about 1400 children. Orchestra recently toured in china and US. Academic offering SACE and IB. Hard to get into, but places do crop up, particularly if you have just moved here.(non-denominational)

 

scotch college www.scotch.sa.edu.au , the most expensive school in Adelaide, lovely pristine grounds, excellent outdoor ed programme. Academic. Performing arts sub school.

 

Pulteney Grammar www.pulteney.sa.edu.au . Good allround school, embracing every student. Only became coed about 6 or 7 yrs ago. Music is big here.(anglican)

 

Mercedes college - very popular catholic college offering IB aswell as SACE, again places are limited.

Cabra College - 1200 students gr6-12, offers large variety of subjects and an amazing array of music musical extras. (catholic)

 

Concordia College - very strict but fair school, aims to educate the whole person, starts the day with chapel. Good results. music is big here and sport.(lutheren)begins at gr 7

 

Immanuel College - another Lutheren school. Every child has to participate in a sport and a co curricular subject. Very strong in sport. IB programme for middle school. Begins at gr7. Excellent facilities.

 

well hope I haven't bored you. Sorry to those schools I haven't listed, but I don't know anyone there. I only listed school I have personal knowledge of .

 

Of course there are some very rigourous state school too.

 

If you come and decide for private school, most schools will let your daughter come for a day to try it out and mix with the other students.

 

The South Australian SACE is recognised internationally for entrance into universities. Australia has developed its own education system that meets its needs. You will find it different to the English system, but if you are going to settle here then this is where your children will grow up. Australia attracts many full fee paying students from other countries into its universities and government schools.

 

Sorry but its the biggest trap when you relocate and then compare with the old country.

[Guest andylynnchriskirst]

Thanks for all the information. I will work my way through these. Just about to send visa application into our migration team?? Hopefully that will go ok. you never know we may be there for Christmas 2008??!!!

[Rachiegarlo]

Is your Chris a boy or a girl? If you need info on boys' schools I can point you in that direction as well.