Local school or "better" school?

[BuFfY]

I think deciles in schools cause a lot of problems for the schools that are not a decile ten. The cause even more problems for schools that have a decile that doesn't match the school! We had ERO in at school last week and they told us that we aren't performing up to a decile seven standard, and that (looking at superficial things - her words, not mine) we do not look like a decile seven school either. Our argument is, we shouldn't be a decile seven school! We had one child in our school last year who was from Whitford, and a number from Howick, who pushed our decile up. We are the highest decile in our area, even though we have the poorest kids!

Deciles only get allocated every third year, matching up with the census, so we have another two years (I think) being decile seven.

The worst part is that because we are decile seven, and only have 82 children, we get sweet bugger all funding. And 'relying on the parents' doesn't work!

In saying all of that, the children at our school are outstanding. Last year we won the regional talent quest we entered, have won all the sporting events we have entered and, most importantly, the children are happy at school.

[Harvd]

I went to a public school and am doing engineering now at uni, its interesting watching people i know went to expensive private schools struggle without the helping hand that they were offered at school. Thier work habits are completely different. i think private schools are really only going to help those who are super bright and motivated. if they arnt motivated they arnt going to do very well anywhere so its a waste of money.

[firecracker]

I was with you right up to the comment:
"Just because a school is private does not mean that its posh - you comment simply reenforces that stereotype."

Quite right. Truth remains that private schools come complete with this stigma and a reasonable amount of kudos attached for a reason.

[jrandom]

Of course, one does find a better class of scumbag at the private schools, doesn't one?

Quite possibly... tell you what, though, even if I could afford it, I wouldn't want to send my kids to one. I loathe the perceived upper-class mentality that they'd be programmed with. Even if it is only an external perception.

And, to be honest, I think that anyone, from any background, has the potential to do well at university and out in the real world.

I don't think that expensive primary and secondary schooling makes a whit of difference; it's the parents and the dedication of each individual teacher (and I've been pleasantly surprised with how many primary school teachers really do care) that counts.

[MSTRS:Me]

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

I loathe the perceived upper-class mentality that they'd be programmed with.

So...somewhere beige in the middle would be ok with you?

And, to be honest, I think that anyone, from any background, has the potential to do well at university and out in the real world.

Now, that I can agree with

[jrandom]

So...somewhere beige in the middle would be ok with you?

Life does have options beyond poverty and criminality, upper-class snobbishness, and beige, y'know.

[Winston001]

T
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....

Yes that school's success is a heads-up for those who say decile 1 schools can't achieve. It begs the question tho - why aren't other decile 1 schools doing the same?