[IMF]

I am new to the forum and have found the listings and advise to be very helpful.

We are thinking of moving to Sydney, our main concern are the schools my kids are 13 (born 19 Jun) and 9 (born 26 Jul) I was wondering if anyone could advise as to which years they would be in and how to progress selecting schools and getting enrolled.

I was also wondering if someone could advise as to how the education compares to that in the UK.

[Sam66]

Hello IMF and welcome,

Your children will be in year 8 and year 4. Here's a list of the school years:

Primary school
Year 1: 6-7 year olds
Year 2: 7-8 year olds
Year 3: 8-9 year olds
Year 4: 9-10 year olds
Year 5: 10-11 year olds
Year 6: 11-12 year olds
Secondary School
Year 7: 12-13 year olds
Year 8: 13-14 year olds
Year 9: 14-15 year olds
Year 10: 15-16 year olds
Year 11: 16-17 year olds
Year 12: 17-18 year olds

I know there's a new government website allowing parents to compare schools all over New South Wales. Headmasters are viewing it today for the first time and parents will be able to see it from Thursday. Headmasters aren't happy about it.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/principals-rally-troops-to-combat-new-website-20100126-mwez.html

A general brochure about starting high school is here http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/gotoschool/ttsy7.pdf and at the back is some useful contact information

This is a list of the 2009 High School certificate rankings http://resources.news.com.au/files/2009/12/29/1225814/373861-hsc-results-by-region.pdf. This ranks the school performance in each NSW region according to the performance of their final year students.

Enrolment is quite straightforward and will involve filling out an application form and evidence of a correct visa and proof of address will normally be required. Public schools enrol mainly from their local catchment area. Once you decide on the area you will be living in you could contact the local schools directly to find out the exact catchments. Some schools have a map showing this on their website. http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/enrolment/index.php

Private schools are not as expensive as in the UK but there may be a waiting list.

[Sam66]

The new schools website is experiencing technical difficulties on it's first day, so it's maybe best to leave visiting it for a day or two until it settles down...

http://www.smh.com.au/national/my-schools-website-early-morning-tech-problem-20100128-mz9g.html

[Martha]

Hi Sam66,

Yes, that is all over the media today and being frowned upon. Undoubtedly, it will stay controversial.

I don't agree with the whole idea of better than/lesser than concept. What happens to the kids that dont make it into the 'better' schools. I can picture parents teaching their kids they are 'better than' others and the rest fighting to say they are not 'lesser than'. What a great way to start a school war. Imagine the stress on parents and their kids if they dont make it into the one they think they should be in.

I believe there are positive things everywhere. If you go looking for the negative things they will be found. Best to make it a good educational experience and a nurturing one with support given to their student/child when they need it. That can be done in whichever school they are at.

[Thongs of Praise]

The site's working now and I must say I really like it.

You can see how schools are doing compared with other schools with a similar socio-economic background as well as other schools in general.

I'm think that the more information parents get about schools, the better. :)