Private Schools

[slothpomba]

Killlll it ... with fire!

[happyhappyland]

That's an interesting argument. I think though that there are lots of different ways to build connections, for instance I've built quite a lot at university. I agree that who you know can be very important, even if it is unfair. But I guess, private school or not, to build good connections, you do actually have to impress them on the way, you can't just sit on 'you should hire me because I went to the same school as you' unless your potential employer is an idiot.

I agree with university being a great way to build connections. Unfortunately that is, of course, contingent on getting into university in the first place, but that's a whole new issue in itself.

I wasn't trying to suggest that going to a private school is a free ticket into a high paying job. It just makes it that much easier to get into contact with the people who will most likely be occupying those high paying jobs in the future. I would say being in an environment where most students come from financially successful families makes it much easier to get your foot in the door when it comes to employment. Yes you still need a good work ethic and desirable character traits to be employed, but already having those connections with the right people is such a huge advantage over someone else who may not have the same list of references because of their educational environment.

I know what you mean there, when Im with my private school friend he would go... oh my friend owns that store, my friend's family owns that company etc etc. So he gets quite alot of discount airfares, food clothing just because of the connections he has at his school.

[tdor]

can't put a price on a well rounded education

[Killerkob]

can't put a price on a well rounded education

These schools clearly do. That's the entire point of this thread. /facepalm

[schnappy]

Mine are $0 and I feel I've had more opportunities (VCE over 3 years, how I want it - no real subject restrictons) at my public school.

[Duck]

can't put a price on a well rounded education

These schools clearly do. That's the entire point of this thread. /facepalm

His point was that a well rounded education is worth any amount of money -'can't put a price on it.' Please refrain from smartass 'facepalms' until you are able to comprehend the English language and it's sayings.

[Russ]

Please refrain from smartass 'facepalms' until you are able to comprehend the English language and it's sayings.

Heh-hem.

[Duck]

Please refrain from smartass 'facepalms' until you are able to comprehend the English language and it's sayings.

Heh-hem.

Hahaha. And the irony is doubled because I went to a private school.

[MuggedByReality]

In regard to the non-academic aspects of private school, that makes a lot of sense. I never actually realised that people would pay extra money for crazy amounts of house events, religious education, sport at inconvenient times of the day, and the opportunity to spend even more money on frivolous events. My cynicism aside, I can see why you might want to choose that sort of thing. Aside from being quite holistic, and I'm sure, at times, even enjoyable, it seems like it has a nice aesthetic as well, as though you're on the set of Dead Poet's Society, or something.

Personally, the thought of early-morning rowing sessions, school chapel, showing unrelenting enthusiasm and pride in an abstract institution, as well as 'survival' camps doesn't appeal to me in the slightest, and I believe these things are quite unrelated in the formation of an identity. However, I totally respect that others probable have a different outlook than me.

 If you're still planning on doing postgrad at Oxford, choose your college carefully if you don't want to feel like you've ended up among the pages of Brideshead Revisited

[Eriny]

lol. I'll remember that

[MuggedByReality]

   are you set on going there next year?

[taiga]

It's all about selective education.

If not, the good public schools like Balwyn, Glen Waverley, Brentwood etc. No way I'm sending my kid to a private school even if I have the $$$. It's simply not worth it :X

The problem with private schools is that I find too many parents think it is a quick fix to make their son or daughter a good person. I see too many parents under the impression that their kids are fine, yet in reality they take drugs, smoke, sleep around and whatnot. Is that a private school thing? No, it happens anywhere, so spending another 20000 won't better your chances THAT much. A good education generally begins at parenting. If you raise a non-selfish, studious, friendly kid, it is far less likely that they will fall prey to the wrong hands and go wrong.

I think reasons for sending kids to private schools may include scholarship acceptance, religion, sporting/music facilities, or any other facility at the school which will DIRECTLY enable your child to succeed in whatever they are interested in. Nevertheless, the number one reason that most parents send their kids to private schools is so that they can feel as if they have contributed to something positive for their child.

[sgeorge]

As a student of a private school, which fees peak at about $21,000, it seems some of you have a slight misunderstanding at why students actually attend such schools. (not trying to be nasty here or anything) Yes, we do have a reasonably high quality of teaching staff and nice facilities such as a pool etc, but particularly at my school, it's the sense of community that parents want to provide for their children. The teachers can almost seem like family at times and our house events and numerous fund raising activities are aimed at instilling a feeling of that community and respect.

So, haha please don't just write off private schools as a waste of money. Sure, you may have had a wonderful time at your local/selective school or you may not have either. Trust me we have plenty of scandals but yeah, private schools can be good too.

[Kotza]

definitely worth it

i moved from a pvt to public school, and its freakin ridiculous.

My old school was amazing, only i didnt realize it. Public schools (in general) suck balls
Changing schools has definitely proved detrimental to my results

[eeps]

So, haha please don't just write off private schools as a waste of money. Sure, you may have had a wonderful time at your local/selective school or you may not have either. Trust me we have plenty of scandals but yeah, private schools can be good too.

I agree with that - the thing about "scandals" - most of it never makes it onto the news.

Private schools tend to be overly-protective of bad publicity appearing on the news - i.e. Xavier College is seen as very good school, yet at the same time - with all the "muck-up celebrations" news in recent years and the incident in New Zealand, its' reputation has been somewhat dented.