The Victorian Parents Council (A Voice for Non-Government School Parents)   You are choosing a school for YOUR child.  You as the parent are in the best position to judge the suitability of a school.

What Do You Want?

A school that brings out the best in your child, helps them achieve their full potential, excites them
about learning and a place where they feel safe, secure and valued.

Remember!

• children change as they mature
• one school may not suit all your children

You must be happy with the school’s

• curriculum
• values
• policies on discipline etc
• expectations of its students and parents
• religious and philosophical affiliations

Make a list!

1. Practical considerations

Location

• Is it close to home. Can your child walk, easily take public transport or school bus
• Will their friends live nearby or in a range of different suburbs?
• How much time are you willing to spend driving to after-school activities

Are there before and after school care and holiday programs?
Is Saturday sport compulsory?
How up to date are the facilities?
Is there a compulsory uniform?
Is it a Kinder-12 school and is it all on one campus?
Is there a compulsory lap top program and what does this cost?

2. Philosophical Considerations

Is it a large or small school?
Do I want my child to attend the same school for all of their education?
Is it single-sex or co-educational?
Does it follow a traditional curriculum or does it offer, for example, Steiner or Montessori
programs?
Does it offer Vocational Educational Training (VET) courses or International Baccalaureate?
Does it offer acceleration and university enhancement courses?
What foreign language does it offer?
Does it encourage or expect parent involvement in the classroom or in the running of the school?
Do I agree with the religious/philosophical affiliation of the school and will my child be happy to
abide by these beliefs eg compulsory religious education classes
Is there a compulsory outdoor education program that may involve your child being away from
home for a considerable period?

3. Extra-curriculum Considerations

What sort of sporting, music, drama, art etc opportunities does it offer?

4. Primary Schools

What are the early learning programs like?
How are children taught to behave, work with each other etc?
How are they supervised in the playground and on excursions?
Can you help out in the classroom?
Is there a parents association you can join?

5. Secondary Schools

Range of curriculum
Expectations regarding student involvement in sport, music, drama etc
Uniform, behaviour, discipline expectations
School camps, overseas campuses

Once you have completed your lists you can decide what you are not happy to compromise on
and what questions you need to ask when you visit a school.

You must always ask yourself what suits your child and your family.  If you and school are at loggerheads your child will be the loser.   Visit schools on open days or ask for a tour on a school day so you can see the place in action

Children with special needs

Children with disabilities receive much lower levels of funding in the non-government sector than they
do at government schools. This means greater costs for you and the school when you enter an
independent school. While many children with disabilities can be integrated into mainstream schools,
there are nine independent special schools catering for children with physical disabilities and
social/emotional difficulties.

Pastoral Care

Independent schools pride themselves on the pastoral care they offer, and time-poor families are
coming to rely increasingly on schools taking on a parental role. Check out how the system works. Are
there counsellors or welfare officers. Does the school offer education in drug and alcohol abuse, sex
education, mental and emotional health?

Academic Results

Ask about AIM test and VCE results but don’t rely solely on these. There is a lot more to education
than VCE results.

What Does It Cost?

Fees range from $1,500pa to over $16,000 pa (plus boarding where applicable).

Expenses on top of this can include:

• Uniform
• Textbooks
• Sports equipment
• Music lessons and instrument hire
• Laptop computers (usually replaced every 3 years)
• Camps and excursions

How will this impact on your family? A second job and/or both parents working, less discretionary
income to spend on home, holidays, cars etc etc

Conclusion

Knowing the questions to ask, and being confident in your knowledge of your child’s needs, will make
the job of choosing a school much easier.

Independent schools offer your child the chance to embark on an exciting adventure of education, and
for parents the pleasure of seeing their child achieving their full potential.

Link

www.vicparentscoucnil.vic.edu.au

Suite 4a, 681 Burke Road, Camberwell Vic 3124 PO Box 647, Hawthorn Vic, 3122
Tel: (03) 9804 0906
Fax: (03) 9804 0892

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