Finding Schools

[Arwen]

Hello, thanks for your replies. this is really such an amazing site. it really is an amazing thing how people generously give feedback to complete strangers. its lovely and especially when we have concerns, fears and of course those times when we are really excited but cant talk about it in front of people we may be leaving behind. Thank you so much for responding to my query re finding suitable schools. I am a little bit concered jackie & Stevie that you mentioned the fees for state schools. i thought there was no cost but a small fee of around 100 dollars. But my sister in melbourne says she pays 1,000 a year for her children who are in a state school. so can anyone tell me what the fees for state schools in perth are. i do like the sond of rossmoyne as they have a good selection of languages. French seems to be the extra language in most school but my older boy who would be year 10 (15 in march) has been learning german. we live in Ireland and the children take 7 subjects for their final 2 years of secondary so a language is essential. its probably totally different in OZ and he may not need to do a language. i will look at all of the areas mentioned. the reason i have been looking at shenton, rossmoyne and churchlands is that they are rated very high when i do google searches. i know its a bit basic but i dont know perth or anyone living there. I would really like to live close to the beach if possible and close to the centre. thank you to everyone. also some ideas of what i should expect to pay in rent would be great. we have 4 children so will need 4 beds. dont care about garage or amount of bathrooms really.

The primary school my children are at charge $45 per child voluntary contribution and that is pretty much it. I don't have a child in state high school but I don't think they charge all that much for their contributions, certainly nowhere in the region of $1000 per year. The areas you mention are indeed good schools but they are also expensive areas of Perth. www.realestate.com.au will give you an idea of rent.

[ali]

My daughter is in Year 12 this year and I've spent a lot on books, (she's taking 6 TEE subjects), her fees excluding books were $700, charges for subjects (not books) came to $395, School diary, year book, valedictory and school ball, added another $194, then theres, voluntary contributions towards the library, building fund, P&C etc., which came to about $112

My son - Year 7 primary ... we have a school contribution of $60 ... he's also in the band so I pay for guitar lessons and also a band payment for scores etc.,. There will be swimming lessons, dance, drama, sports and this year his graduation dance to pay for.

[New Life Down Under]

Hello, thanks for your replies. this is really such an amazing site. it really is an amazing thing how people generously give feedback to complete strangers. its lovely and especially when we have concerns, fears and of course those times when we are really excited but cant talk about it in front of people we may be leaving behind. Thank you so much for responding to my query re finding suitable schools. I am a little bit concered jackie & Stevie that you mentioned the fees for state schools. i thought there was no cost but a small fee of around 100 dollars. But my sister in melbourne says she pays 1,000 a year for her children who are in a state school. so can anyone tell me what the fees for state schools in perth are. i do like the sond of rossmoyne as they have a good selection of languages. French seems to be the extra language in most school but my older boy who would be year 10 (15 in march) has been learning german. we live in Ireland and the children take 7 subjects for their final 2 years of secondary so a language is essential. its probably totally different in OZ and he may not need to do a language. i will look at all of the areas mentioned. the reason i have been looking at shenton, rossmoyne and churchlands is that they are rated very high when i do google searches. i know its a bit basic but i dont know perth or anyone living there. I would really like to live close to the beach if possible and close to the centre. thank you to everyone. also some ideas of what i should expect to pay in rent would be great. we have 4 children so will need 4 beds. dont care about garage or amount of bathrooms really.

Hello Ann, I hope you dont mind I will answer your private question on here as what you asked may help others. Churchlands Primary and Senior Schools are state schools. My children are both in primary, one goes to high school next year. At the primary there are no fees as such, we have to pay voluntary contributions which is only $60 pa plus P and C contribitons of $40! So nothing really. I am sure that other people on this site will know more about high school fees, but I think the contributions are about $600 pa??? Things like swimming lessons, excurisions etc are on top

[derham]

Great posts and very informative, Can anyone let me know their experiences of 15 years being assessed when they move to Perth High schools. Our oldest will have sat his Standard Grades (this May) and he should be starting his highers in August and we are wondering how he will be assessed at any new school in Perth for Uni?

[Arwen]

Great posts and very informative, Can anyone let me know their experiences of 15 years being assessed when they move to Perth High schools. Our oldest will have sat his Standard Grades (this May) and he should be starting his highers in August and we are wondering how he will be assessed at any new school in Perth for Uni?

At 15 I doubt very much they will assess for Uni. Years 11 and 12 are the WACE years (was TEE) which gives you the necessary ranking for University.

[ali]

They won't get assessed ... as Arwen says years 11 & 12 are the WACE years http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/inte...uirements_2012, in year 10 you choose the subjects you want to studay and the pathway e.g. TAFE or Uni, there are different levels of subjects to study e.g. Maths 1a/1b 1c/1d .. 2a/2b etc., and specialist maths for exam.

How well you do in your exams will determine your ATAR score which gets you into Uni. http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/atar/ Some courses have high ATAR presrequisites e.g. medicine I think needs an ATAR of 99 at UWA for example.

[derham]

Thanks, I am trying to find out if whatever school we choose for our eldest will consider his results gained in Scotland, fortunatley his school has accelerated learning which means he will sit his standard grades a year early, we hoped that this combined with 3 full years in WA would give him the required marks for uni. I am concerned that if his standard grade results are not considered would he be able to get the sufficient grades in 3 years for uni?

[ali]

The WACE is a 2 year course, if he completes years 11 and 12 then his ATAR score will get him into Uni. If he's coming over and starting in 10 exam results won't matter. I do know of someone who stayed in the UK to do A levels and those results were sufficient to get them into Uni here.

His results in the UK won't be significant if he's completing years 11 and 12 here ... this is what will count

[derham]

Thanks, I've been in touch with a school and they are going to send me over details, hopefully things will work out ok for him, he is doing well at school and just a bit concerned that we are dragging him to a new school at an important time of his schooling.