Hi Folks, My family and I are planning to relocate to Brisbane (for work). As such, we are looking for a suburb to call home. We have always placed our children's education as a high priority, and hence we are looking to move into a suburb where the good schools are at. We have 2 girls who will be going to high school in the next 2 years. Which public High schools have good reputations? By that, I mean they have a consistent track record of students achieving high OP scores, a high % of students being offered university places, a variety of subjects taught in the senior years, a philosophy where teachers encourage learning as opposed to spoonfeeding. I don't have a preference whether the school is girls only or co-ed. However, I would like the school to be less than 12 kms from Brisbane CBD, where both my partner and I will work. Many thanks for your feedback. Kind regards,
Kind regards,
TracyTry St Trinians at New Farm
Um, I think the original post was referring to public schools…I'm a teacher and thus my opinion leads me to Kenmore SHS. I think basically almost all the SHS in Brissie do very well these days in terms of OPs. You have to remember that here in QLD, there is now a major push towards traineeships, VET subjects and apprenticeships, which leads to a scenario where the majority of students that sit OP tests are those wanting to go to Uni and therefore, better OPs are a result…hope this helps, PM me if you would like more detail about the QLD system…
I work in a large state school, and would suggest that you look for schools to suit your daughters' personalities and individual styles. For example, a quiet child may do better in a small school. Some schools specialise in students who excel in music, sport or performing etc.
Any student can get a good OP in any school, an OP is earned by the work a student puts in. Even the "very best" private schools will graduate students at the lower end of the OP scores. But if that student graduates as a well-rounded happy person and achieved their potential, then they have succeeded no matter what the numbers say.
Once you decide where to live, use the "ripple in the pond" theory – i.e., investigate your closest schools first. Ask neighbours for recommendations. Tuckshop ladies know everything about the school they volunteer in. Check out any school that you are interested in, maybe attend a P & C (Parents and Citizens committee) meeting.
Only one or two schools in Brisbane are "zoned" in that where you live is a factor in gaining entry.
MargDon't forget Marge that OP scores are also heavily dependent on the cohort…
Thanks Andy, and Marg for both of your comments.
Marg,
As I am not very familiar with Brisbane, where we decide to live will be where the good public school is at. I agree that good OPs are earned by the students, but the good schools are those which care enough to encourage and provide opportunities for students to earn that good OP. Which are the 'zoned' schools that you referred to?Many thanks,
TracyHandy Andy wrote:Don't forget Marge that OP scores are also heavily dependent on the cohort…I am not familiar with the QLD education system – what is meant by cohort?
Cohort is another word for a group of students in a particular year level..so this year the year 12s will be the 2007 "cohort" of graduates.
Take a look at Mansfield. Not sure what it is like now, but achieved good results when I was at school.
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