Local school or "better" school?

[firecracker]

Decile ratings are a reasonably fickle business. From a financial perspective, it's in a school's best interest to have a slightly lower one as they receive more government funding. Which is transferred onto parents/caregivers in the form of lower fees. It is ignorant to base your decision solely upon a school's decile rating.

It is important to choose a school that fits with the individual and within the family's means. Check out what the school's strengths are eg; sporting, cultural, academic. Visit the school and have a chat with the principal, DP or senior teaching staff and read over the prospectus.

Taking a walk around the school will soon give you an indication on it's tone, how do the students wear their uniform? how much pride is taken in the appearance of the school? What behaviour management programmes are in place?

Also, if you have above average children, does the school run accelerant programmes for them? Does the school run after school tutorials or study sessions?

You can also research the school online by reading the latest ERO report. Which is an indication of the school's strengths, areas for improvement and academic success at senior assessment levels.

At the end of the day, a student who has a genuine interest in learning will learn. Posh school's VS state school's have similar problems. They just look different.

[Tank]

I was with you right up to the comment:

Posh school's VS state school's have similar problems. They just look different.

Just because a school is private does not mean that its posh - you comment simply reenforces that stereotype.

One should remember that Auckland Grammar is a state school - and that is somewhat more posh than most private schools.

[Winston001]

The major thing imho that separates an really expensive hoity school and an average+ decile public school is there is more chance of getting into an old-boys club so you can become company director or judge in 20 years.

Not these days - ability outshines connections.

When it came to my childrens education, I chose the best available to me. We have a local College in our town, but no way are my kids going there! Rather, I sent them to a school in a neighbouring town 15 to 20 minutes away by bus that I have to pay for.

Always choose what's best for your kids IMO.

Totally agree. Great thread. You only educate your children once - it isn't an experiment. One chance.

When my kids were small I had this idealistic thought of sending them to a low decile school so they'd mix with all sorts of kids and families, and learn to value their own good fortune.

But when the day came, we bypassed the nearest (pretty good) primary school for a decile 10 where we believed in the principal. It was the right decision. All of my 3 children became school leaders and are doing well at high school.

I don't think there can be any rule. Each child is different and may thrive at different schools but thats often not practical. Education begins at home and children who are encouraged, taught good values, and have their imagination stimulated, should succeed whatever school they go to.

[Winston001]

Just a note about decile ratings. Its unfortunate that high decile schools or private schools are seen as snobby or hoity. They aren't - they are simply schools. High decile isn't necessarily best and there was a time private schools struggled to exist.

But - as a starting point, decile 10 tells you the community around that school has resources. Its actually a negative for parents because decile 10 gets the lowest government funding meaning the kids come home every week with raffles, sausage sizzle lists, fund-raising nights et-bloody-cetera......it never ends. But it works.

High decile schools typically have resources not available in low decile schools. Our school hall was built by parents - most other newish schools don't have halls. There are data projectors and computer carousels. Hell, we (parents) bought a full set of dictionaries because the Ministry of Ed don't supply them!!

Because of the resources (and the children tend to be well-behaved) high decile schools attract great teachers. They like the extra stuff that's available, having requests for class-sets met, extra parent-funded teaching support. Its a relief from having to focus on trying to simply control a class-room and deal with disturbed kids from some pretty sad backgrounds.

I know a bit about this because my wife and I involved ourselves in our childrens primary education and my wife spent 6 years on the Board - four as Chair. She went through changes of principal and education reforms and it was in many ways an horrendous experience.

Leaving all of that aside, my core advice is to look hard at the principal. Talk to other parents. Leaving aside decile, the principal makes or breaks a school.

[jrandom]

I think the main drawback of lower-decile schools would be the nature of the other kids.

It's difficult for one's children to prosper when surrounded by others who're not well looked after and/or have to survive in an abusive home environment, and it seems to be an unfortunate fact that the incidence of such negative family situations rises as the socioeconomic level drops.

[yungatart]

I think the main drawback of lower-decile schools would be the nature of the other kids.

It's difficult for one's children to prosper when surrounded by others who're not well looked after and/or have to survive in an abusive home environment, and it seems to be an unfortunate fact that the incidence of such negative family situations rises as the socioeconomic level drops.

That is an incredibly inane comment from one who prides himself on his intelligence.
You stoop daily to new lows, JR.
One of the consistently best rated primary schools in NZ is a Decile 1 in Flaxmere (Irongate)
It has a rich cultural diversity, awesome caring and committed teaching staff and beautiful, happy children. The success of this school speaks volumes, almost as loud as your prejudices....

[Usarka]

I went to a low decile school. I'm one of the minority who are looked upon as being an outstanding success. IE. I haven't been to prison or been on the dole since leaving school.

[Tank]

I haven't been to prison or been on the dole since leaving school.

Yet


<10char>

[Nasty]

I went to a low decile school. I'm one of the minority who are looked upon as being an outstanding success. IE. I haven't been to prison or been on the dole since leaving school.

There are many of us in this situation .. and most of us don't let stupid idiots who make pathetic assumptions affect us. Mind you we also have it in us to prove those arseholes wrong. Daily!

[Usarka]

Yet


<10char>

Yep, both are a possibility at the moment.....

[Tank]

There are many of us in this situation .. and most of us don't let stupid idiots who make pathetic assumptions affect us. Mind you we also have it in us to prove those arseholes wrong. Daily!

In fairness - I dont think that as many people make the assumptions as people think.

Seriously - very few people care what school people went to. Once you leave school - its all up to the person regardless of what school they came from.

The 'ol boys from school network isnt that big in NZ and to be honest running around like a cock because of the school you went to does not endear you to many people at all.

(Talking about the Grammar etc types - Not you Nasty (you rock - despite all the infractions you give me )

[Tank]

True Story.

I was being interviewed for a high level consulting position at Barings bank in the UK.

Very, Very exclusive place. Very, Very posh.

Sat in room with 'ol boys who all talked with plums in mouth.

Was asked "Where was one educated"?

Truthfully I answered "Cambridge"

"Oh another Cambridge lad - ay wot - your hired"

Didnt have the heart to tell them Cambridge High school (just out Hamilton) - not the top UK university.

Took the job and never told them.

[skidMark]

I went to the local primary schools - no point in polishing a turd.....

I don't quite know how to take that...

i went to the local primary too....

i like to think im a nicely poished turd.

[jrandom]

It has a rich cultural diversity...

AKA 'almost no white faces'.



Not that that's a bad thing, of course.

awesome caring and committed teaching staff and beautiful, happy children. The success of this school speaks volumes...

And I'm very happy for it.

Unfortunately, this is something I can prove with statistics and whatnot. Anywhere in the world, there's a higher incidence of social dysfunctionality at the lower end of the economic spectrum. S'just the way it seems to work. Surely you're not arguing with that?

[MSTRS:Me]

Unfortunately, this is something I can prove with statistics and whatnot. Anywhere in the world, there's a higher incidence of social dysfunctionality at the lower end of the economic spectrum. S'just the way it seems to work. Surely you're not arguing with that?

You could be right, I guess. Scum usually floats to the top, where it's more visible.
Of course, one does find a better class of scumbag at the private schools, doesn't one?