SCHOOL......trauma!

[mandajay]

Happy christmas to all you guys on here....

Please can anyone offer any insight into my little dilema?

We are due to arrive in Oz at the end of Feb and in the process of trying to choose where to begin our new life...
After months of research we have sort of set our hopes on Baldivis. It seems to have everything we want and then here comes the BUT.....

The nearest school is 15 mins away in a car, (Comet Bay?) and i have just found out that the bus takes an hour and a half to get there!!!!!!

Being a shift worker based in Freo, it wont be possible for me to be a reliable chauffer for the kids every day.....

So is this true? Is there any plans that anyone knows to get a more direct bus route? or does this mean i have to start my search all over again....

Can anyone out there save my sanity?!!

Cheers Manda

[ali]

Can't comment on the bus route ... but have you thought of approaching the school to see if they can put a plea out in the newsletter for another parent to help with the drop off?

[Heathfamily]

Are your kids at primary or high school? Friends of ours kids go to Baldivis primary, have you tried there?

[Heathfamily]

Have a look here for other schools http://www.myschool.edu.au/

[gobbyjock]

Plenty of kids from Baldivis go to both Comet Bay and Warnbro CHS (you have a choice if living in Baldivis) they manage the trip no problem - it just means making sure you rent near a bus stop - they get a bus to Warnbro train station then another bus to either school (there is no school bus but there are public buses that go straight past both schools from Warnbro train station).

[mandajay]

Next job....Check out the bus routes!
Thanks guys, I will be sure to keep you posted!
As soon as January arrives, its time to start packing!
I think we are going to arrange a hoilday rental for when we arrive then hire a car and have a look in 'real life' before we make the final decision of where to live.
We have tried to narrow down our search area.
That way the kids have a say in the decision and i think its prob easier than trying to choose a place from internet pictures?

Choices narrowed down are:
1. Baldivis
2. Secret Harbour
3. Rockingham
4. Hamilton Hill

So really i am no closer to choosing an area at all!!!

Any more tips....keep em coming x

Manda x

[pat and mike]

hi Manda

have lived in Settlers hills Baldivis since we got here in 2005. assume you mean high schools...there's quite a few primarys. there's a state high school being built on the corner of Baldivis Rd and Safety Bay Rd, but am not sure it'll be fully up and running next yr...may only take a few age groups and then add to it the next yr. if its only a one year gap till you can get into the high school then it may be worth considering Tranby College; its a private (K-Y12) school in Settlers Hills. the cost of tuition for a year may be less painful when you consider the alternatives. there are other private colleges in other suburbs that send buses to collect from Baldivis. am reluctant to give the lowdown on certain schools because someone will take offence 'cos their child/grandchild goes there. PM me if you want a more frank opinion. whereabouts in Baldivis are you looking?

[Arwen]

I don't live down that way but please bear in mind when you are listening to opinions on here or by PM about schools that they are just that, opinions and not fact. Also don't go on heresay, usually people are quite vocal about schools when their kids don't even go there because a friend of a friend says a school is rubbish. Keep an open mind and have a look around the schools when you arrive and go with how you and your kids feel when looking around.

[gobbyjock]

I don't live down that way but please bear in mind when you are listening to opinions on here or by PM about schools that they are just that, opinions and not fact. Also don't go on heresay, usually people are quite vocal about schools when their kids don't even go there because a friend of a friend says a school is rubbish. Keep an open mind and have a look around the schools when you arrive and go with how you and your kids feel when looking around.

I`d agree with that - what suits one kid might not suit another - Have a good look round the schools when you get here and make your own mind up. Keep in mind that there seems to be a lot of moving around in schools over here - I work at a school and am always amazed by how many times kids are moved in and out of schools, so your child won`t be the only new kid.I have friends with kids at Comet Bay, most of them are very happy with it there too - you know your kid best so go with your gut instinct.