Well as T enters Grade 2 it is becoming the number one most talked about conversations of mothers (and fathers) - which school will you send your children to for high school?
Unfortunately our local public high school, doesn't have a good reputation. It is a vicious circle. Because of the bad reputation, no one who can afford to send their kids to a private school, sends them to the public school. As a generalisation, those in a higher socio-demographic value education more than lower, and/or have more time or prioritise their time more towards their children's education. Hence the local public school has a less proactive parent community and the kids at that school have home environments that may not be as conducive to improving education standards.
I have spoken often with other parents that if we ALL sent our children to the local school, it would have a chance of improving standards and improving its reputation. But no one wants to go it alone.
When we just had T and thought that was going to be it (W, we needed fertility treatment for - ironic really, four children later), we were 100% sure we were going to send T to Churchie. This is a local boys Anglican college that is very close to us - bike riding/walking distance. It has wonderful traditions in sport and academia. It is a great school. It is also over $18,000 per year per child with NO sibling discount. We would end up paying about $480k to send all four boys there from Grade 7.
D's alma mater is Villanova College. A catholic boys school in Coorparoo - about 10 minutes drive from us. I went to the open day during the week. I really like what they had to say about teaching boys. I loved their restorative practices (ie discipline) activities. Also their emphasis on emotional literacy. As well as sense of team and community. Villa has an amazing musical department where the Director is Suzuki method trained - yay! And they have significant sibling discounts such that for all four boys it is $120k to send from Grade 5.
The third local alternative is a co-educational college, CHAC. Half of me would like to send my boys to a co-educational school to get some gender balance in their lives. But the other half does believe that boys need to have special focus in order to achieve their best. CHACs fees fall at about $240k for four boys from Grade 7.
You ask anyone about any of these schools and you will get that they love it or they would NEVER send their children there! Churchie boys that are now men, that I know personally are all lovely men. However you can find lots of people that say the opposite - sexist, spoilt rich boys etc. CHAC doesn't have a tremendous sports program though it is growing, which is not ideal for T, but great music program. Many of my friends with sons and daughters are leaning towards the CHAC option -makes sense for their family - only one school drop off.
Some people believe Churchie is for not-so-smart rich kids as it is not selective and has a strong special needs program. No enrichment/gifted program (?). Some have said Villanova is not academic enough and I have also heard that there is bullying at Villanova (where isn't there bullying, please?) CHAC has been called 'swamp school' as the grounds are a bit dodgy. Honestly you cannot listen to everyone or you will go crazy!
Given D is an old boy Villa looks good. But, one big issue, we are not Catholic. And the registrar was open in saying this would put us at the bottom of the old boys' list. Would you baptise your children Catholic if it helped you get into the school you wanted? I mean I am atheist so it would really be the priest who would/should have issues baptising the boys anyway. My current thoughts are to wait and see (T only needs to have interviews next year) and perhaps talk to the sisters (Catholic nuns) who live behind us about the issue.
So our choice is 1) Villa, 2) CHAC and 3) Churchie. Yes that also coincides with cost from lowest to most expensive. If we get into Villa, think of the wonderful overseas holidays we could go on with the money saved! However I just do not think there is a value differential in terms of education equivalent to that price differential.
We do like Churchie - we like the headmaster particularly. If they offered a sibling discount we would definitely consider it - but really it is price prohibitive for four boys.
Labels: finances, Large Family, school, Suzuki piano
