Private School
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Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27550
Printed Date: 17 December 2025 at 2:13pm
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Topic: Private School
Posted By: MissCandice
Subject: Private School
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 5:57pm
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Hi,
Does anyone use a private school for their child/ren? Did you go to a private school? What do you like/dislike? Im looking at sending Kylah to a private school. |
Replies:
Posted By: minik8e
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 6:18pm
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I went to a private Catholic primary school and then a private Catholic girls college here in New Plymouth and I completely hated the high school. I started in form 1, and was a weekly boarder (went home for the weekends - my mum commuted to Wellington for work each week) and then was a day student from form 2 until form 4 when I finally managed to leave. I then went to 3 public schools - my favourite of all of them was a small rural school.
I do have to admit though, that in my own opinion, the quality of education that I got at the private schools was far superior to the public schools - not just what they taught, but the attitudes and care given by the teachers. At the public schools, because the rolls were so huge, I was just another number. If I had the option, these girls would go to the same private schools that I did over any of the public schools here in NP, however DH doesn't agree. The private college I went to also had (not sure if it still does) the worst teen pregnancy rate in the Naki - so it definitely has it's cons!!! |
Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 6:39pm
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Are all catholic schools private?
Janaya goes to a catholic school, the education there is superb. Im not sure if its private though! There is a "private" school that we looked at, it was something like $15,000 a year to attend 
I went to a catholic school and college, we had a high pregnancy rate there too! The education was great though. I hated how strict it was, it was "no boys, no makeup and skirts under the knee" I dont know if it helped being in a same sex school, once I got to 6th form all I thought about was boys, perhaps if I had attended a normal highschool boys wouldnt have been all I thought about. Guess I'll never know... |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 6:52pm
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Hmmmm the school im looking at is all girls..
Thanks for your opinions though. |
Posted By: JoJames
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 7:51pm
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I went to a private anglican girls school, the education was excellent, and the class sizes small, but they tend to be quite narrow-minded and clique-y. We didn't have a nigh pregnancy rate, which i am surprised about being that sex ed wasn't taught until 6th form, which was too late for a lot of the girls.
Also I'm a christian but the religion that they exposed you to was dry and boring and nearly put me off for life. In saying that, I think I would send my child to a single sex school at the least because there were a lot less distractions and my grades were so much better in 5th and 6th form (private) than 7th (large public) ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 7:55pm
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Maya goes to an integrated Catholic primary school (not private but not public, kind of somewhere in the middle) and I love it, it's small, the class sizes are small and the staff are lovely. That said, I do drive her across town to school coz I did't like the local Catholic schools.
I don't know if I'd send her to a private secondary school tho, I went to one and it was awful, worse than awful even. I hated it. Then I went to a state school (I got "asked to leave" the private school) and I loved it and did much better academically. I found the private school environment far too stifling. Where Maya goes will depend on her, what she wants to do at the time etc. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:06pm
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The one i want to send Kylah too is way out of my price range at almost three thousand a term!
My second option is a school that doesnt actively teach reading untill year 7!! That puts me off :( |
Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:11pm
I went to a private school, from form 2 - 7 we did religious education but was no specific religion (well not to my knowledge) I found it really good education wise and experience wise (in terms of school trips and facilities) but I did find that I was probably a little sheltered! (not many drugs, cultures, fights etc) probably not a bad thing  but I did hang around alot with public school kids in 6th and 7th form so got that wider exposure to those other things anyway ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:13pm
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The school I want to sedn James to sounds like Maya's the idea of small classrooms is really appealing to me but doesn't have the private price tag attached to it. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:14pm
| What school is that Danni? |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:47pm
Seriously? What school? All schools HAVE to have a reading programme and they're monitored by the ministry. I've never heard of any school in Chch not having an active reading programme until Year 7. That seems nuts. I went to public schools, I found high school was great for me compared to some of my friends who went to private high school and then didn't know how to interact in 'normal' settings (ie. boy/girl). I think it's just plain odd to go to a single sex school - after all you don't live your life like that, and from birth you are influenced by both males and females so then why would you spend 6+ hours a day in a scenario where all your peers are only one sex? Also, private (usually catholic) girls high schools in Chch have ridiculously high pregnancy rates for people who are meant to be abstaining - because of course you don't get sex ed. But anyway, that's just my opinion.
We're really lucky here in NZ that our education system is pretty damn good. I'd strongly suggest, if you don't like the schools in your area, use the money you would spend on tuition to move to an area where you do like the schools. Can I ask what draws you to private school? Is it just knowing about the reading programme thing at the other school? Because I can pretty much guarantee that they teach reading before Year 7 
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Kandice wrote:Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:51pm
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Sorry i meant age 7.
I just want her to get a good education. They have smaller classes. I guess thats it really. I do need to look at schools around here before i fully decide. Im not againt public school, just looking at all my options i guess. |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 8:59pm
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Phew 7 is better than Year 7! But still, I'd be surprised if they didn't teach it from day one - it's a requirement and they get monitored for it.
You can look through ERO reports online (www.tki.org.nz is one place to find them) too to see what the school needs to work on etc and what they're doing well. I hear you on the class sizes! Generally (and very generally, but not so much with the recession as the schools don't have as much extra money from parents) higher decile schools have smaller class sizes as they have more money in the budget to hire an extra teacher than their government allowance. The good thing is they're really working at keeping NE class sizes down as a nationwide initiative, and reducing class sizes in general over the next few years. The main things I like in a school (regardless of public/private/integrated) are the range of resources for teachers, parents and children, how transparent the teaching is (ie. you should be able to see written someone their goals or a 'We are learning to...' statement), and the support that the teachers have to better themselves, because I think a happy and supported teacher makes a better teacher, and therefore a better learning environment for the kids. |
Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 9:09pm
wow thats weird about not teaching reading from day 1!!??? Bays school is public and they teach reading from day 1 and he now has a reading level of an 8-9yr old!
We only have 1 private school that i know of around here and we are out of the zone so cant help you much there. |
Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:00pm
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You get fabulous teachers in private schools, and you get fabulous teachers in public schools - just like you can also get awful teachers in both.
The thing that influences a child's education the most is their teacher, and the quality of teacher has nothing to do with the type of school they're in.... so I'd probably save my $ and pay for uni... but that's just me
In saying that though, if you're not happy with the local school (and I def wouldn't be happy with not actively teaching reading til 7 - I'd question the school about this) you could see if you can get Kylah put down as an out-of-zone for other schools. Another alternative is it may work out cheaper to move into a different area with better local schools? ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 17 July 2009 at 11:11pm
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Steiner schools don't start reading until 6 or 7 as they believe a childs brain isn't ready until then. DH went to steiner for primary and he's a pretty good reader so didn't have any impact on him.
My 12 year old niece has applied recently for Cashmere High School she's on the ballot as its a good school but she's out of zone. The other alternative is Avonside. Both she and her sister go to St Martins and have done really well. The advantage of a larger city is you have more choice. If we stay where we are there isn't a lot of choice with schools and only 1 high school which is ok. but not brilliant, it does seem to me that if you want a quality education for your kids you have to pay for it ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 7:39am
| Its the Steiner school here that i was referring to about the reading. It even says in their prospectus as well. I think where i am we are zoned for Avonside. But i have years and years to worry about that. Im hoping to be able to buy a house in the area i want her to go to school by the time high school is needed. |
Posted By: Bubbaloo
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 8:46am
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If you want to put her in Steiner you have to enroll know as there waiting lists a very long.
The School I'm talking about is St Bernedettes it's in Hornby we have the choive of 4 primary schools and 1 Highschool. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> Was danni-chick Mum to James My Angel 28/07/08 |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 10:05am
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I personally wouldn't bother sending my child to a private primary school - I think the education most kids get in state primary schools in Christchurch is pretty good.
Secondary - I would personally see which school my child fits as they all have different "specialty areas". I love single sex schools for boys and DS will def be going to single sex but am more open to co-ed for girls for a variety of reasons. Christchurch's secondary schools are pretty much all on the same level - even the lower decile secondary schools function at the same level as higher deciles. I teach at a decile 9 school and to be honest am unsure if I would send my child there at this stage. Also I have to disagree with Emz slightly on the teenage pregnancy rate in ChCh. Its not actually the catholic schools that have the highest rate of pregnancy (although they have the highest rate of keeping teen pregs), it is actually our priavte girls schools. With Primary schools you can get Kylahs name put into a ballot for out of zone schools so that is an option. -------------  
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 10:48am
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Man choosing a school is a tough decision!!
I wish i knew stuff about schools! If i went public i dont even know what school i would choose!! Its all so hard, i mean its her future! Is this something i have to look at now if i want out of zone? Do they have waiting lists? |
Posted By: clover
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 10:49am
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I went to a private secondary school from 3rd form onwards after spending the first two terms of 3rd form at a public school. I have absolutely no doubt that the reason I did well in school and have turned out how I am is down to the school I went to. At the public school I had started hanging around with the wrong people etc but soon got put back on the straight and narrow at my private school (which Kaiz is probably the one you looked at, Chilton?) In saying all of that my brother went to the public school for his schooling, did very well, went on to university and further education and is now in a very respected profession doing very well. So, I think it really depends on the child.
This is all about secondary school however, I personally wouldn't send my child to a private primary school as I'm not sure the benefits are as great. |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 11:01am
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I wouldn't send my Children to a private primary school, I'm sure alot of them are just "trendy", and the benefits of sending child to said school is only for the parent to be able to say, Oh so and so goes to this school... JMO tho.
That said, my elves are going to the Catholic School here, it is integrated, as are most of them, and they are going for a number of reasons, the biggest one, is it has a fabulous reputation for education, small classes etc, and also I do like the RE element. I am under no illusion that sending them to a catholic school means they will be better behaved or educated than othe children, I beleive that schooling etc really depends on the child and how they learn, also home environment. I think the school is about $300 a year. Another point to consider is I wouldn't send my child to a school if they were going to be vastly different from their peers. Said from experience here, I went to a very snobby girls high school and was miserable as we were very very poor and I went to school with girls who got cars for 15 bithdays, went on overseas holidays at break time and had all the best gear and money to burn. Kids are cruel to people who are different to them, and belive me, money and social standing can mean your child takes a battering at school. I would consider a private high school, but that is only because we don't have a choice here in Blenvegas, there is a sh*tty boys school and a sh*tty girls school, so we will be looking at boarding (but, again, not at the elite schools, lol) Good luck! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 11:19am
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I spent my entire education in the Catholic schools system, initially they were considered 'private' and became full integrated during my time there and I think most are all integrated now, as in they offer the standard school curriculum.
My parents are Catholic as were most of my peers. For me RE was something I took for granted. My concerns around state schools is the narrowness of what is taught. For me learning about the religious aspects of Christmas and Easter were all part of my education. I am in no way religious these days, but wonder how my kids will get on if they never learn about it. DH went to Steiner school from 5 to intermediate, (they didn't have secondary back then) I feel he got a very broad and well rounded education, if there was one where we lived I'd have no hesitation in sending them there. Not sure about primary schools but with secondary schools if you are out of zone, its all usually done by ballot, stop the good schools poaching all the top students. In my 12 year old niece's opinion Avonside is full of b*tchy lesbos, lol. Which is an interesting point of view coming from her. She's very bright and articulate for her age and going to St Martins was a good grounding for her. Her little sister is there at the moment and is thriving. She's currently at Chch south intermediate and doing well, she is into the boys though bit like her old Aunty me thinks 
It is a difficult decision to make, and what parents want out of school isn't always the same as what kids want. Good Luck with your decision. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 11:59am
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Kandice - integrated means that the school has special beliefs and is funded by both parents and the state. They often have slightly higher "school donations" but def not theprivate fees.
Primary out of zone - I would be ringing when my hcild turns 4 to get on lists etc. Secondary out of zone - you can't apply for out of zone (ballot until the list opens) e.g my school has just shut enrolmenst for next year so its usually done in the 1st term of school for the following year so not until Kylah is year 8. I am a secondary teacher and my DH is a primary teacher. We are both more than happy to answer any questions etc as its not an easy thing. We are in a similar position as you in that the local primary school does not have a good rep so Ds will be balloted for the other 3 schools in the area. Secondary is the same as the only high school in our area is not good so will have to ballot him to the other schools. -------------
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 12:08pm
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I won't be sending Daniel to private school..
I think its very dependant on the child to whether or not they will do better at private vs public. I went to a small primary school and loved it. All my teachers bar one made learning fun therefore I wanted to learn. That stayed with me in high school. The thing that sets my mind with the public vs primary thing is MIL works for ERO as a senior review officer. Both MIL and FIL are ex teachers and principals. FIL has a phd in something to do with reading and yet they sent their boys to public school and never considered sending them to private school. Although Daniel won't go to private primary school we are going to most likely send him to montessori instead of normal kindy just because its close to us and I didn't like the "teaching" in the other kindy we are zoned for. It seemed more like a babysitting service rather than early childhood education. When it comes to secondary though we will ask Daniel which school he wants to go to and that will influence our decision. Just my humble opinion though. Good luck |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 1:13pm
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I have spent the night looking at integrated schools in Christchurch. The only ones that appeals to me is Middleton Grange and Rudolf Steiner. I had a friend go to rudolf many years ago but dont remember what she said about it other than she hated the longer hours lol
Has anyone had any experiences with Middleton Grange? I would consider moving into a zone for a school i was wanting to send Kylah too. Am i crazy for thinking about this now? |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 2:51pm
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I personally wouldn't be stressing about high schools now as schools change so much! It is really only as good as its Headmaster and Staff and these will have changed by the time Kylah starts school.
If its primary you are worried about then it is worth thinking about now but not stressing about as there is really nothing you can do until she is 4 anyway so its really just a matter of researching and keeping your ear to the ground about different schools. Why integrated? There are some awesome state primary schools in Christchurch that have great ERO reports etc. I personally wouldn't send my child to Stiener or to Middleton Grange but that is just me. Have you read the ERO reports etc for Middleton Grange as theyw ere having huge issues 2-3 years ago and I am not sure that they have been fully resolved. they had a high staff turnover at the time also so maybe worth doing more research on that one. -------------
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 4:53pm
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I wouldnt get too hung up about it. I was schooled all over the place as a child as we moved around (travelling) so I just went to school where ever, whenever etc. I did ok. Then highschool was just the local country school. Nothing flash. I got the highest bursary mark they had ever had...I thought I was pretty hot till I got to Uni and realised I was pretty average (LOL)....BUT....I got my uni education, have a professional degree and job (when I want to work)....all from a public school.
Christchurch has a serious obsession with schools. I couldnt believe that people assumed because I had a professional degree that I must have gone to an elite private girls school....WTF???? Good teachers are important but I also believe teaching them at home is important too and Kylah sounds pretty switched on. |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 5:25pm
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I just assumed schools you paid more for would give better education, opportunities and better teacher/child ratios.
Guess not. From a teachers POV what schools in christchurch would you consider sending your child too? I just read the 2005 ERO report on Middleton grange.. I didnt even know you could read these. Im going to read all the ones in this area. I just want Kylah to enjoy it, have fun, learn stuff and make it through school, dont we all 
Think im going to stop thinking about it now
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 5:42pm
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No not the case at all, like Liz said its about the quality of the teachers and the rest of the staff etc, and you get good and bad quality everywhere (great teachers don't all choose private - for me personally (not saying I'm a great teacher as I haven't actually taught yet lol) I wouldn't teach in a private school just because I thought it was better. Higher decile schools attract a higher-ratio of quality teachers (as per some uni research done a couple of years ago) BUT that doesn't mean they have a higher quality of teachers - just that they may get more applicants.
Peanut - I haven't seen the stats since I was in high school re the teen pregnancies so they must have changed slightly I know when I was at high school there was a big uproar because a private catholic girls school was top of the list lol.
Middleton Grange - hmmm it's interesting as its Year 0-13 so that creates good and bad points straight off. I worked there as a cleaner lol while studying and TBH the kids there were so disrespectful of the opportunities available to them, they broke stuff all the time, there was food everywhere (and I mean everywhere - up the walls, on the windows etc). To me that says a lot about the morals being instilled. And yep high staff turnover, not sure how high in the primary school but I know from Year 8+ it's been pretty high. Cos I've only been to schools as a teacher trainee, I'll write the ones I did like: Like - Halswell (great resources and excellent staff support), West Melton (country - great atmosphere and differing learning opportunities, again great staff support which trickles down to better teacher/student relationships) OK - Oaklands (was going through changes while I was there so a bit iffy), Rolleston (couldn't cope with increased roll demand and huge class sizes but they've since built an extra 6+ classes), Darfield (country again - great wee rural school with small class sizes but not necessarily great learning experiences because of it). And there are a few I haven't liked for various reasons such as feeling the tension between staff members, or the stress levels of the kids because they don't have a consistent teacher, lack of resources available to teachers and students, no positive change of late, not having clear learning intentions (these are important so the kids know what they are actually trying to learn), little physical activity (really important to keep focus) etc. |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 9:25pm
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Emz, we don't have any private catholic girls schools in Christchurch. I only know the stats as I teach Health so I get all the info thru on stats for ChCh.
As Emz and Liz have said just because you pay more doesn't mean that you will get a better education etc. It really depends on the child and the effort you are prepared to put in at home. My DH teachs at a low decile school and the satff there are amazing. I would happily send my child there but don't want DS at the same school as his Dad. NZPiper - I fully agree on the fact that ChCh is obsessed with schools. I find it highly amusing! In terms of Secondary Schools and where I would send my child - Boys: Shirley Boys (State), Bedes (Integrated) or ChCh Boys (State). Girls - St Andrews (Private), Villa (Integrated). Also on integrated - you have to be Catholic to go to the school but because they are state funded they are required to take 10% non catholics so they are often harder to get into. It also depends on how many non-catholics are leaving that year on how many they take in e.g if only 6 non-catholics leave then only 6 get places. Primary schools - there are heaps I would send my child to and it really depends on the area you are in. I am in St Albans and there is no way I would send my child to Mairehau Primary (staff tension, poor headmaster, high staff turnover etc). DS will be balloted for St Albans Primary ( small school, great staff, community feel, has a te reo unit), Paparoa St (not so fussed on as its a bit snobby as high decile state school - staff ok though) and Papanui primary. -------------
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Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 10:32pm
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i went to a public primary then to a private catholic co-ed highschool form1-7 it was awsome i loved it
i wanted sarah to do the same as me so sent her to the same public primary i went to and that was the biggest mistake i EVER made she didnt learn a thing and she was bullied so bad that no matter how many times i went into the school the teachers & principal etc did nothing about it, they would brush it off or say they would look into it but it kept going on,it was so sad, the principal even told me i had to teach her to be "more assertive & stick up for herself and i had to stop trying to fight her battles for her" WTF that is not something a principal should say i was horrified& didnt send her back after that, and sarah was been majorly affected by the bullying & lost alot of confidence so i swaped her to a private catholic school, its fantastic and she loves it so much theres 13 kids in her class, the teachers know every childs name in the whole school and are fantastic at keeping parents in the loop with everything even the parents are a lot nicer than her old school. the uniforms are a bit expensive and her fees are about $400 for the year which is good as it includes everything they do, i found at the public school the fees were $90 for the year but they constantly had their hand out for money for things it was really annoying and they gave really short notice for things too. i actually made a complaint to the MOE & ERO about the school they are doing an investigation as they had just done their ERO report for that school and it got top reviews so i would definatly talk to people about the schools and not just go on ero reports , when sarah started at the private school they told me she was a year behind in her writing and reading!!! i was horrified as her teacher the year before hadnt said a word even when id asked. id talk to some parents at the different schools, even if you dont know them, sometimes its the best way to find out what a school is really like other than the face value or area its in ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 18 July 2009 at 10:49pm
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Bedes and Villa are the schools I want to end my elves too ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 11:10am
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St Bedes has an awesome rep. Villa - hmm just because I went to a public school, I'd have to say I don't like it (girls were always horrible at inter-school events lol). But I hear the school itself is great and you definitely leave with great networking. Friends of mine that left 10 years ago still draw on contacts from high school - we definitely don't have anything like that (I went to Lincoln High).
Peanut - haha I obviously just don't know what I'm saying then! I honestly haven't paid much attention, just that we all thought it was funny that at a co-ed school, we were around guys all the time so we didn't feel the need to jump that at every opportunity
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 3:07pm
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Good choices, fattartsrock! Villa no longer does bording though so you may have to set up a priavte board situation for there. It really sucks that there is no catholic girls boarding school in ChCh.
My cousin has just finished at Villa and she excelled and had awesome support from Deans and Teachers. I am not fussed on the head mistress there but her staff and senior management are awesome. Emz, teenage girls are all girls schools in chch are horrible
I was actually thinking about this more this morning. Was more about the single sex and co-ed debate. There are 4 cousins in the family - 2 boys + 1 girls all went single sex and then me who went co-ed and to be honest we all interact roughly the same with the other sex etc. Schooling is such a personal thing and you really, really need to base it on your child - if they are sporty look for a school that will help them in that area, if they are musical look for a school in that area etc. In the end it needs to be what is best for your child and not what is best for your interests. -------------
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 4:18pm
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Im not to fussed on high schools right now, as thats many years away, and i will be buying a house in the zone for that.
Right now, im more worried about Primary. As i will have to move into zone for one. Have you heard much about Thorrington Primary? Didnt even know it exsisted! I went to primary school in Oamaru, as well as intermediate. 2 Months of High school there and then moved here and went to Linwood and Aranui High. Dropped out and went back to Hagley 2 years later. |
Posted By: scribe
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 8:01pm
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I'm going to add my 5c even though this thread is mostly Chch based and as a North Islander I know nothing about Chch schools.
I find the topic really interesting even though DD is only 1 yr old, as I HATED high school (public girls' school) - I did well academically but it was so catty and cliquey that I couldn't wait to escape! And so I want my DD to avoid the same fate. Primary school on the other hand (I went to a small rural school) was fantastic. Anyway, I just wanted to add that it's not all teenage girls in Chch, it's teenage girls everywhere! On Nat Radio the other day they were discussing this and mentioned that they charted the aggression of women and they're worst at ages 15-19, as that was traditionally the time when they reproduced, so the aggression is a way to rise to the top of the pecking order and secure a mate! (It didn't matter if they were at a girls school or a co-ed, they still exhibited the same aggressive behaviour). |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 19 July 2009 at 8:13pm
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I like the idea of single sex classes, but within the co-ed frame work. As I do think boys and girls learn differently.
I hated the cattyness of going to a girls catholic school and some of the girls had weird ideas about interacting with boys. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 1:38am
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Kandice, my cousins all went to Thorrington (youngest is 19 this year) and it was a pretty good school back then. No idea what it is like now, but the area around it is nice for families IMO
I went to a private school, St Marks, that integrated not long after I started there. There were things I didn't like at the time (and my parents too I'm sure) but overall I got an excellent education and I'm still in touch with many of my classmates - small class sizes meant we went through Years 0 - 8 with the same kids. That has its drawbacks as well of course
Just thought I would mention it as you were talking about Thorrington - it's not really that far away (Also quite close to St Martins)------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: Lizze
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 4:44pm
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Peanut, can you recommend any good schools around Avonside/Linwood/Wainoni?
Dp wants to send our children to Linwood North, because we have a gate going through our backyard to it - I'm not keen!!!! St Pauls Catholic school is just around the corner, but we aren't catholic, and we don't appear to be in zone for many other good schools. High School we would be looking at Avonside Girls or Shirley Boys I guess - haven't thought that far ahead, but don't know the reputation of either of them. And Preschool I'm pretty keen on Montessori Casa dei bambini as it is just around the corner from us. ------------- 
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Posted By: Lizze
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 4:46pm
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I looked into Montessori for Primary school, but couldn't justify the $5500/year for fees.
And I didn't like the idea of Rudolf Steiner, starting primary at 6, not reading till 7, and every day focusing on only one thing. -------------
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 4:49pm
| Thats also what i dont like about Steiner Lizze.. so thats out for me too!! |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 8:33pm
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Kandice, I have heard good things about Thorrington. Our rental is zoned for there and thats meant to be a positive thing for us finding tenants easily. It is sought after.
I am finding this thread interesting. I have 2 options down here....both ok and one at the end of our street so I guess decision made LOL. High school will be a different story though as we may need to look at boarding and I desperately dont like the idea...but maybe when they are teenagers it will be more appealing
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Posted By: crakars
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 10:46pm
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As a school teacher i would recommend sending your children to your local school as they then get to play with friends etc and they make great bonds - good for play dates etc and great community spirit.
Every school has teachers which you will love and others you wont love as much. School will do the extended education - but its what you give them at home which makes the real difference - if you are the type of parent that is concerned about schooling then you are probably already giving them the real life experiences which are more educationally to them than reading and writing. Your child will thrive in a school where they are happy, safe and with their friends. if you send your child to a private school and have to work twice as hard just to make the fees - is it worth it? also if the other kids come from very rich families you will be constantly trying to keep up with the Jones's and then what message does that give your children? - Secondary school is different and it really does depend on your child's personality and interests. Where we are in both the schools nearby are considered very good schools - but they are over flowing and the class sizes are not small - but it will be great for socialising! good luck on the decision -------------  http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 21 July 2009 at 6:43pm
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Lizze – I emailed Dh earlier today to ask for his opinion on Primary schools in the areas you said. I also asked him about Thorington as well. This was his reply:
Woolston School has got a commissioner in at the mo so that's no good. Linwood Ave is ave. Thorrington is o.k a bit higher class. Opawa is good (I know some teachers from there). Beckenham is good. Tell her to have a look at the websites and make sure she goes for a visit. Also suggest she parks outside the school in the morning and after school, is always interesting and gives a idea of staff interactions with students etc. Shirley Boys has the most awesome discipline system and I rate it really highly as a school. Bad behaviour is not tolerated and the school is a lovely clean welcoming environment. I would happily send DS there. Avonside Girls is an interesting mix of students but they still do ok. You could always apply to Marian also as a non-preference. Its just across from Shirley Boys. -------------
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Posted By: Lizze
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 11:16am
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thanks peanut :)
i showed DP last night, and he's still of the opinion that it doesn't matter what school they go to. I tried to explain that the decile didn't matter to me but who our children were socialising with did matter (we live on the border of avonside/wainoni/linwood). We have another 5 years to worry about it :) Whats Avonside Girls reputation? DP seems to think its great, but I have seen a couple of comments on forums about people not sending their girls there. -------------
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 11:23am
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My 12 year old niece is zoned for Avonside girls and she doesn't want to go there. According to her its a bit catty.
She's applied for Cashmere High School for next year. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: ShellandBella
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 11:31am
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I went to Avonside with no issues, but that was a few years ago now! And Marion Hobbs was principal - she was very good. They have streams there, so I think if you get in a good stream and a good mix of kids, then its fine. Well, I turned out alright ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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