choosing a school
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29986
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Topic: choosing a school
Posted By: Kazzle
Subject: choosing a school
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 1:51pm
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So how did you go about choosing a school for your child.
Did you just send them to the local school or did you send them to a school that you felt would be better for them. did you take into account the decial rating? What things did you consider? TIA ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 1:55pm
The school I chose was one Id been too, and was the closest one, but it was an easy choice because a lot of her kindy friends were going there, I already knew it had a good reputation and on visiting , it looked like a good school ,there were plenty of teachers on the playground and the classes weren't too large . I considered a couple of others , but this was the one that appealed most to me, and so far, 3 years later, its still good  ------------- 
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Posted By: lemongirl
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 2:05pm
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Small nit-pick but decile ratings say absolutely nothing about the quality of the school. Just how much money is in the neighbourhood and don't assume wealthier parents = better school.
When really you should be worrying about the teachers. The most recent research on educational achievement shows that student's interactions with the teacher and the quality of instruction has the biggest impact on a student's learning. See http://www.i-learnt.com/Environments_SM_&_LMS_6.html - here |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 2:05pm
Decile rating can mean a number of things, not particularly how good the school is. It's based on the socio-economic makeup of the residents in the school zone as well as other factors. The lower the rating, the more govt funding for resources, and vice versa. You get diff issues depending on that (generalising WAY too much here  ) but usually there are more behavioural issues due to poor homelife, not being fed at lower deciles (1-3 sort of thing) BUT at higher deciles you get things like stuck up parents fighting over stupid things, the kids get an over-the-top sense of entitlement etc. So it doesn't mean too much.
Also check out the ERO reports, it will give you an idea of what the school was doing well in at the last report and what their next steps are for teaching and learning. Other than that, ask to see the school charter (available from the office or online - should have goals for up to the next 10 years for student learning etc), check room sizes, where the school leads on to and if you're in that zone too (if you plan on staying at your place until intermediate/high school), what programmes they have in place for special needs (either lower or higher achievers) if that applies etc. You can generally get a bit of a feel for a school by just spending a bit of time there too. |
Posted By: CuriousG
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 2:27pm
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We are sending Charlotte to a mainstream school ( there is the choice of a steiner school just down the road also) that we have fallen in love with, it has a very good reputation up here and we love the vibe of it. I am also impressed, being an IT geek, that they use smartboards for their learning. A small thing I know but I love their modern technology.
I have no idea of its ratings at all - I am going on word of mouth. But I agree that spending some time there will give you the vibe. We have been there to look around and also been to their school fairs etc. I have also read up about it on their website which is really informative and up to date. Oh, and one other thing I love about it is the amount of grass. They have huge playing fields (and they grow veges too). I wouldn't want my child going to a concrete jungle! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 2:49pm
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We went for the local school, had hear good thinks about, did a walk around & DS1 has been there 4yrs & is happy there. DS2 will start in the new year & DS3 the year after + 2 cousins also go.
I don't know about intermediate yet but have another 2 yrs to think on that one. High school I will go for one that will suit my kids needs so will be more fussy there. |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 3:05pm
| I'd look at the teachers and principal and see what they are like rather than decile rating. And on the ERO reports I think its good to pay attention to what they think needs improving in the school |
Posted By: MrsH
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 3:25pm
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I'm considering sending Leonard (although it's just a tiny bit early ) to the local school. Although it's local (and I keep thinking that this area is a bit rough) *IYKWIM*, they always seem to be in the local rag for different things like sporting achievements and new initiatives so I'm thinking why not? Plus DH went there as did yours, I'm guessing and I think that it'd be nice. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 9:22pm
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I've done my reaserch on this already! LOL
Did you just send them to the local school or did you send them to a school that you felt would be better for them? Not going yet but I visited schools both in our zone and outside so I could compare; both public and private. Did you take into account the decial rating? It was not the main decision point, I made a note of it but that's all What things did you consider? I read the ERO reports and we visited the schools with DH, listed to what we were being told and asked questions about the things that are important to us. We want a good school where our girls will learn and feel welcomed, one that encourages the kids different interests and allows them to try different things ie from playing sport to music to arts to science. I personally feel that a visit to the school is worth much more than an ERO report. It's good to talk to the teachers and the principal (if you can) ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 9:28pm
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We really struggled with this. Have a decile 10 school twominutes walk away but I was also keen on looking at a catholic school but that was a 10 minute drive away. We know he will go to Wellington College so I also had to think that if he went to the local school then most would be going to the same college but if he went to the catholic school then only a few would probably go to Wellington College. We decided on the catholic school and so far everything is going well. Was it the right choice, don't know but he is happy and has settled in and we are pleased with it. Good luck! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 9:35pm
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My husband is a primary school teacher and the advice he gives when asked about schools is not only visit the school and talk to the teachers etc but also go and sit outside the school at "prime" times like pick up and drop off as you very quickly see teachers interactions with students at the crossing and parents interactions with staff and each other etc.
As explained above decile ratings really have nothing to do with the actual quality of the teachers and is more for the purpose of funding. DH teaches in a low decile school and all the extras that they get funding for is unreal. ERO reports are worth reading but its also worth follwoing up any conerns with the prinicpal if you meet them. Often recommendations are a bit iffy as they have nothing to add e.g DH's school has 90% of their maori and polynesian students reading above the national average and in the recommendations they commented on focussing more on the 10%. -------------  
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Posted By: Daizy
Date Posted: 18 November 2009 at 10:23pm
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Keira is going to be going to the school just across the road from us. Luckily I know its not a bad school (I went there for a while as a kid). Most of Keira's friends from Kindy (on the other side of the road) will be there too and from the ones that have already moved up I have heard not bad things. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Kazzle
Date Posted: 19 November 2009 at 9:12pm
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Thanks guys
food for thought....still dont need to do anything for at least 12mths ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: crakars
Date Posted: 19 November 2009 at 9:16pm
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go to your local one - that way they/you can walk to school. Also helps with playing with friends after school and being part of the local community.
Visit the school - dont just go on what other people say. Visiting gives you the best feel. Its never too early to think about. Also check to make sure of schools in your area are zoned as that would limit your choice. Every school has their pros and cons - its all about what feels right for you and your family -------------  http://lilypie.com"> 
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