Hello!

Our girls start prep next year and at the moment we are trying to decide between public or private schooling. We have a choice of a very small public school (under 200 students) or a small private school (under 1000 students up to year 12). If we send the girls to a public school we would create a investment portfolio for them with the money we save in school fees. But it is most likely we will send them to the private high school. I was wondering what other parents think or consider when deciding on schools? Thanks


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  • private schools have more to offer and public schools are cheaper. In the end they still learn the same things.


  • I went to both, and I would never, ever subject my child to the sheer torment and hell I went through at a private school.


  • I am personally an advocate for public schools. Whether a child succeeds depends largely upon the child, not tge schools.


  • I think it depends on the reasons for sending your child private or public. I believe that both offer great education and resources, but I personally will be choosing a private school because I want my daughter to grow up catholic and following all the sacraments. I hope financially I am able to send her catholic but if not public also is a great choice :)


  • I am a teacher who believes whole heartedly in public education. However, I recently read some research that found that the type of school made no difference whatsoever on educational outcomes and it all came down to parental involvement. More involvement better outcomes. sounds like you’re already on the right track.


  • Personally, I’d pick the public. I’ve been to both and the public was streets ahead as far as giving you a variety of opinions, experiences, views etc. Private school had their own philosophy and unfortunately weren’t very tolerant of other peoples opinions if it didn’t match theirs. You are fortunate in that you have a choice. If one doesn’t work, you can use the other…


  • If money is no option then the difference is purely in the schools themselves. By the sounds of it you would be spending the money one way or another by either using it for school fees or putting it towards their future.

    What money can’t buy is the atmosphere of the school. Go for a tour, have a look around, see how the current children act in the school and see which environment you prefer for your children. Is one school more strict than the other? Do the kids seem to enjoy their time at school or are they just going through the motions? Do the staff seem friendly and approachable? you want to choose a school that you think your children will enjoy. If the kids are happy then they will excel and money has nothing to do with that


  • It all comes down to cost, they are both the same to me at primary but I know of a lot of people that went public for primary and spent the money at secondary.


  • For us its about location and cost. We have only Public Schools around us.


  • One thing to consider if you send your children to public schools, you will have the funds to be able to get them private tutoring down the track if they need it. I guess the best thing you could do is tour the schools in your area, check their resources, culture and NAPLAN scores, and figure out which school/s would suit your children best.


  • It all comes down to personal preference. I grew up going to a state school and did perfectly well, as did my husband. However, my husband grew up with strong religious beliefs and wanted to send our kids to a private catholic school (as much as my mother hated the idea). My daughter is now in grade 1 and she is loving every minute of her school, as do my husband and I. We did consider public schooling, but the public school was massive (7 x grade 1 classes) as opposed to just the 1 at her current school. there are so many things to consider when it comes to schooling and it should be your own personal decision. Just remember that if you change your mind, you can change schools! Good luck!


  • My children have gone public and are thriving. The oldest two started in Kinder and are now in Grades 8 and 9. The toddler will start Kindergarten in 2016 and will be going to the same school. You need to do what is right for your family and what you can afford.


  • My children went to two primary state schools. The first I chose because I went to school there and loved the small friendly atmosphere – however by the time my children went there it was just close-minded bitchiness. The second school we chose because it was close to us and we heard the the principal was dedicated to making changes. This proved to be untrue with unbearable bullying and teachers that weren’t up to par. Now they are in their second year of private school which is sometime hard for us to pay for but is very worth the money. Within 3 weeks I saw my kids being happier and learning more. It’s not about private or public, it’s which is the right fit.


  • We decided on Public, we aren’t made of money and can’t afford Private not only that, I don’t think that its all about what school they go to but more so how much effort the parents put in at home to help with their childs schooling.


  • I agree…just interview each school & see which you mesh with.
    I went to private school & it’s the contacts & friends your children make that determine the quality of education.


  • It’s your choice do some research on both schools and then make a decision of that research. I was going too send my daughter to a Catholic school until all I got was negative feedback from so many ppl who pulled their children out because of the amount of bullying there, so I chose the public school and it was the best decision I have ever made, fantastic school and the teachers are amazing


  • Either way Public or Private i think neither label matters…what matters is the feeling of the school and if you feel that your child will mesh with the teacher. Take a tour of both options and make your choice.


  • I’ve read some great advice here. If you can afford it I recommend same gender private school but wait until year 6 or 7 so they mingle and get educated with boys first. I started one of my girls at MLC year 5 and the other at year 7. Best thing we ever did, the care and communication with students at a private high school is character and esteem building even if they are not high achievers.


  • Personally its your choice but I went to public school and did very well, and my daughter has started kindergarten this year and she is at a public school and she’s loving it.


  • Our three have all gone through public school and did very well. We changed schools for a while keeping in the public system and returned to the first school without a hitch. We are now spending all saved funds on higher education TAFE and Private Education for Adults. No HECS-HELP so far.
    Vist your local school on open days and look out for open assemblies where everyone is welcome mingle and talk to other parents. Go to Education week and see what the school is doing. Ask your neighbours what schools they go to.. it’s not really that hard so long as you have a happy child willing to learn and play with others they will enjoy school where ever.


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