[kay and pete]

Hi,

Hi can anyone recommend any good high schools in Wollongong? We're hoping to be in Aus sometime this year and we are finding out as much as we can just now to help us find a good place to live. I really appreciate any thoughts and replies that you have. Although my kids are not quite at the high school age (9 and 12), I'm interested in finding out about good ones in case there are waiting lists.

Thanks Kay

[Martha]

Your 12 year old will be starting in high school next year then. Considering your circumstances, I'd say when you attend a meeting with principals they will understand you've just moved here and that will weigh in on the final answer.
There are many schools in the district.. Co-Ed, Performing Atrs, Christian, Public in every suburb, so...I've got a link for you to look at. Hope this helps.

http://Yellow Pages® local business directory - yellow.com.au

[Sam66]

Hi,
Best high school in Wollongong (as I have heard) is Smith's Hill – It's a government selective high school situated in central Wollongong. http://www.smithshill-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

“Entry into selective schools is determined by the student's results in the Selective High Schools Test in English (including reading and writing), mathematics and general ability, together with their primary school's assessment of their performance in English and mathematics. Other evidence of academic merit may also be considered. For a full outline of these criteria and procedures see the links below to the New South Wales Department of Education and Training web site.”

http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/k-6assessments/shsplacement/index.php
http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/7-12assessments/selective8_12.php

If that all sounds a bit daunting there is Figtree high school http://www.figtree-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/sws/view/2526.node. Generally you need to be in the catchment area to automatically enrol your child – the school secretary will be able to tell you that and some schools show the catchment area on their website.

[PamInPerth]

I've heard of TIGS (The Illawarra Grammar School) which is an Anglican independent school. The school is centrally situated in Mangerton, Wollongong and from what I have heard has a good name.
http://www.tigs.nsw.edu.au

Approimate fees are $10,000 – $16,000 a year. As with most private schools, there may be a lengthy waiting list.

[PamInPerth]

This is a good link to use if you are searching for private schools. http://www.isd.com.au/ The map on the home page however is difficult to read and is not interactive. You'll need to use the menu on the left-hand side. As far as I can tell, the lists of schools are quite extensive although I don't know if they are 100% complete. (Wollongong is under the south coast option).