High Schools in and around Christies Beach

[Linda21]

Hi, we're out on a reccie at the moment and staying in Christies Beach. Can anyone offer advice about the high schools in the area. What is Christies Beach High School like? Is there an alternative in this zone? We want to arrange a visit while we are here but would like some advise first. Thanks

[guspjmh]

The only decent schools around are fee paying - Cardijn, Woodcroft, Tatachilla. There is a good primary school (port noarlunga primary), but it's just become zoned so even in christies beach if you are north of beach road you cant get in.

[flossybeth]

I should think that the demographic of Christies would suggest that the secondary there would have an interesting mix of children and I believe it has a reputation that isn't great but we were told when looking that they have a new-ish head and that they're trying very hard to turn the school around. If you think it's an area you may settle in it would be wort having a tour, I think you get the best feel for a school by looking for yourself. When we moved to McLaren Vale we were repeatedly told that Tatachilla was the school to send ours to but we just can't contemplate fee-paying for three children (even if it's reasonable; it's not always just the fees. There are very definite finance-related expecations that come with a private school, the uniform to start with) and if we were able to pay fees we'd have considered the Waldorf-Steiner school in Willunga over a faith-based school. But we went and had a look at Willunga High (another school that has had a reputaion in the past) and we (both me and my daughter) felt it fit her perfectly; she's now coming to the end of her first year there and she's had a great year. Her learning is fine and her extra-curricular activiites include raising and the taking a goat to the Adelaide Show (and being placed 5th) and she's made a great group of friends. And admittedly one boy in her year group was taken away by the police for drug related somethings but I'm fairly sure you'll find that in fee-paying schools (and more likely it'll be the more expensive drugs!)

 

I know that the school buses children in from Christies but not sure on the logistics of that or if the school currently enforces it's zone.

 

In the UK we lived on a council estate and we sent our children to school on the estate (again against the advice of all those who knew better) initially it was because I really didn't want to have to fight traffic to get off the estate in the mornings and always thought (and still do) it was better to walk to school. Although the school had been in special measures a few years previously it had a new head and in the 8 years we used the school it was nothing but great -enthusiastic teachers who wanted to be in the school, small class sizes (because those who knew better sent their children to the over-subscribed better school), a whole load of money poured into various programmes and for better equipment and on the whole a good community. I did join the Governing body just so I knew what and why things were happening but if we'd listened to others rather than gone and had a look for ourselves our children would have missed out on that excellent primary education (our eldest had passed her 11+ and had a place at Grammar School the year we moved here).

 

I think what I'm trying to say in defence of public schools is - go and have a look, only you know how your children learn and what kind of environment suits them.

 

There's also Seaford 6-12 down from Chrisites or Hallet Cove R-12 the other way but I know nothing of these schools.

[Guest vikkiann]

Willunga high is taking kids from outside the zone. It's definitely worth a look, it's better than some of the private schools

[guspjmh]

I should think that the demographic of Christies would suggest that the secondary there would have an interesting mix of children and I believe it has a reputation that isn't great but we were told when looking that they have a new-ish head and that they're trying very hard to turn the school around. If you think it's an area you may settle in it would be wort having a tour, I think you get the best feel for a school by looking for yourself. When we moved to McLaren Vale we were repeatedly told that Tatachilla was the school to send ours to but we just can't contemplate fee-paying for three children (even if it's reasonable; it's not always just the fees. There are very definite finance-related expecations that come with a private school, the uniform to start with) and if we were able to pay fees we'd have considered the Waldorf-Steiner school in Willunga over a faith-based school. But we went and had a look at Willunga High (another school that has had a reputaion in the past) and we (both me and my daughter) felt it fit her perfectly; she's now coming to the end of her first year there and she's had a great year. Her learning is fine and her extra-curricular activiites include raising and the taking a goat to the Adelaide Show (and being placed 5th) and she's made a great group of friends. And admittedly one boy in her year group was taken away by the police for drug related somethings but I'm fairly sure you'll find that in fee-paying schools (and more likely it'll be the more expensive drugs!)

 

I know that the school buses children in from Christies but not sure on the logistics of that or if the school currently enforces it's zone.

 

In the UK we lived on a council estate and we sent our children to school on the estate (again against the advice of all those who knew better) initially it was because I really didn't want to have to fight traffic to get off the estate in the mornings and always thought (and still do) it was better to walk to school. Although the school had been in special measures a few years previously it had a new head and in the 8 years we used the school it was nothing but great -enthusiastic teachers who wanted to be in the school, small class sizes (because those who knew better sent their children to the over-subscribed better school), a whole load of money poured into various programmes and for better equipment and on the whole a good community. I did join the Governing body just so I knew what and why things were happening but if we'd listened to others rather than gone and had a look for ourselves our children would have missed out on that excellent primary education (our eldest had passed her 11+ and had a place at Grammar School the year we moved here).

 

I think what I'm trying to say in defence of public schools is - go and have a look, only you know how your children learn and what kind of environment suits them.

 

There's also Seaford 6-12 down from Chrisites or Hallet Cove R-12 the other way but I know nothing of these schools.

 

 

Really good post. My comment is based on nothing more than anecdotal evidence, it really is worth going to see any prospective school.

[Tamara (Homes Down Under)]

The only decent schools around are fee paying - Cardijn, Woodcroft, Tatachilla. There is a good primary school (port noarlunga primary), but it's just become zoned so even in christies beach if you are north of beach road you cant get in.

 

Thanks for this Angus. I didn't know that Port Noarlunga primary had changed it's zoning policy.

My homes in Christies Beach are south of Beach road and are 100 m closer to the school than my Port Noarlunga homes! All good...all zoned Port Noarlunga primary!

 

It's worth going for a look at Christies Beach high. My youngest son went to Christies Beach high. It was perfect for him as he was a young man who would be working with his hands. He's now doing an apprenticeship and it was right for him. The teachers were brilliant, caring and understanding.

[Guest wen66]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. About to say yes on a rental within a stones throw from Port Noarlunga primary. Don't want to say yes until we know thet have places for both my boys. The second dilemma is the older one is due to go to high school Jan 2016.

 

Where and which ones should I look at? He's a child who needs a school with good pastoral care. Private may not be an option for us until we know where we stand financially after this year.

I have noticed with one school I looked at on the Web, application date has just pasted.

I feel in a chicken and egg situation at the mo.

Should we reconsider the area, full stop?

I do like it down here.

[snifter]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. About to say yes on a rental within a stones throw from Port Noarlunga primary. Don't want to say yes until we know thet have places for both my boys. The second dilemma is the older one is due to go to high school Jan 2016.

 

Where and which ones should I look at? He's a child who needs a school with good pastoral care. Private may not be an option for us until we know where we stand financially after this year.

I have noticed with one school I looked at on the Web, application date has just pasted.

I feel in a chicken and egg situation at the mo.

Should we reconsider the area, full stop?

I do like it down here.

 

The primary school is zoned? If you are within the zone they have to take your children. Live outside of it they are not obliged to.

 

High school down that way I have no idea about as we didn't consider the area at all.

 

All state high schools are zoned. Which HS zone is the house in?

[Guest vikkiann]

You can still apply even if the application has passed.

 

Would your zoned high school be Christies or seaford?

Some state high schools do take from out of their zone, what is a good school this year, isn't guaranteed to be a good school next year.

 

My son is in year 11 at Willunga high and sitting exams this week, he's passed every subject, some a's but mostly b's.

My daughter is due to start high school in 2016, she's at a private primary school but I don't like any of the private high schools locally, I've toured them all and not 1 of them appealed to me, so she may well end up going to Willunga as well!

Edited November 17, 2014 by vikkiann
Spelling!

[Guest wen66]

You can still apply even if the application has passed.

 

Would your zoned high school be Christies or seaford?

Some state high schools do take from out of their zone, what is a good school this year, isn't guaranteed to be a good school next year.

 

My son is in year 11 at Willunga high and sitting exams this week, he's passed every subject, some a's but mostly b's.

My daughter is due to start high school in 2016, she's at a private primary school but I don't like any of the private high schools locally, I've toured them all and not 1 of them appealed to me, so she may well end up going to Willunga as well!

 

I see that Christie's is the zoned high school.

Tbh, I haven't looked into high schools. I was focused on primary. Totally forgot, we may need to apply a year in advance.

[NicF]

 

All state high schools are zoned. Which HS zone is the house in?

 

I found out the other day that Urrbrae High School isn't zoned. Apparently you have to write a letter of application but it is a good school that gets good results. Might not be quite so easy to get to from Port Noarlunga though. Only disadvantage is it's a specialist agricultural school so might not appeal to a lot of kids.

[snifter]

I see that Christie's is the zoned high school.

Tbh, I haven't looked into high schools. I was focused on primary. Totally forgot, we may need to apply a year in advance.

 

If you are only a couple of years away from needing a high school I'd be more inclined to focus being in an area with a good high school than primary choices. Sure a decent primary is important but if your oldest is going to be moving up within a year or so you may well be better putting the effort into finding an area with a decent high school or looking into ones outside of the zone you are cosidering and seeing if they are accepting applications from outside the zone for his year group. It will most likely depend on numbers if that happens or not. If the intake that year for a school is lower and they have spaces left to fill, they'll take from outside the zone, if its chock full to bursting, the zone will most likely stick fast. If your younger one is also going to be moving within a few years, then defo make the HS the focus IMHO.

[snifter]

I found out the other day that Urrbrae High School isn't zoned. Apparently you have to write a letter of application but it is a good school that gets good results. Might not be quite so easy to get to from Port Noarlunga though. Only disadvantage is it's a specialist agricultural school so might not appeal to a lot of kids.

 

You are right. Hubby's cousins went there. It is a specialist school so probably doesn't zone as it needs to have a broader scope area to cover. I hear good things about it and the grounds look lovely. In a nice area also.

[zebedee]

Willunga high is taking kids from outside the zone. It's definitely worth a look, it's better than some of the private schools

 

So true - it's a great school and a little overlooked I think due to being quite close to Tatachilla (private school). Our eldest has thrived in her first year.

[SMKD75]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. About to say yes on a rental within a stones throw from Port Noarlunga primary. Don't want to say yes until we know thet have places for both my boys. The second dilemma is the older one is due to go to high school Jan 2016.

 

Where and which ones should I look at? He's a child who needs a school with good pastoral care. Private may not be an option for us until we know where we stand financially after this year.

I have noticed with one school I looked at on the Web, application date has just pasted.

I feel in a chicken and egg situation at the mo.

Should we reconsider the area, full stop?

I do like it down here.

 

 

Hi, we moved over 6 months ago and are living in Moana. My eldest son goes to Cardijn College in Noarlunga which we have been very impressed with. My youngest son is in year 6 at Moana Primary and we have just applied for him to also go to Cardijn. We came over with no jobs and took a bit of a financial risk in sending our son to Cardijn but we was in year 9 so it was important to us for him to settle in. I have also heard good things about Willunga High and we are thinking of taking a look round before we settle on his schooling. I would say take a look around the schools and get a feel for them. It's so hard when you first arrive to get everything to fit together but I am sure it will all work out for you.

[Guest wen66]

Hi, we moved over 6 months ago and are living in Moana. My eldest son goes to Cardijn College in Noarlunga which we have been very impressed with. My youngest son is in year 6 at Moana Primary and we have just applied for him to also go to Cardijn. We came over with no jobs and took a bit of a financial risk in sending our son to Cardijn but we was in year 9 so it was important to us for him to settle in. I have also heard good things about Willunga High and we are thinking of taking a look round before we settle on his schooling. I would say take a look around the schools and get a feel for them. It's so hard when you first arrive to get everything to fit together but I am sure it will all work out for you.

Thankyou, I will have a look at Cardijn and Willunga.

We want to stay in the area as we like it. Like yourselves, we've come over with no jobs and are taking a leap of faith, making a new life. I just want my boys to be happy in a school that brings out the best in them:-)

[Guest rustybin]

I would live somewhere else

[Linda21]

Has anyone any views on Seaford High?