Private Schools

[GoodGuys]

whats a spring cleaning?
interesting. My school doesn't do that, maybe they should.

[Gloamglozer]

The private schools, you have a studying environment and in public, well you don't always have that environment.

You don't always have that environment in private schools either, so your point is moot.

I have only heard of one case where a student was asked to go to a different school because his results were not good enough to go into year 12 (that person ended up with a 98+ ENTER so god knows what the school was thinking). Otherwise, many private schools would be reluctant to expel a student just because their academic record was not up to scratch. As long as their parents can keep paying the school fees the school will turn a blind eye. They want the money to build chapels and pretty new halls so that they can *look* like a private school.

This is from experience - in almost all my classes there were people who were so unmotivated and lazy that I just didn't understand why they'd continue to waste their parents' money. They were the people who got ENTERs of 15.xx and 24.xx.

Really?  Some private schools are "...reluctant to expel a student"?  I thought some of those elite schools do a "spring cleaning" at the end of year 10 or something like that to keep only the best of the best so ensure that their median study score and "% study scores over 40" remained high.

I know our school did a 'spring cleaning' at the end of year 10 and I wouldn't regard it as an elite school, but i don't think it was for academic purposes

My school only does a "spring cleaning" for extreme circumstances.  Most of the times, these sort of "cleanings" happen because it's either for behaviour that has brought disrepute to the school or if someone's marks are extremely low (and that's rarely the case because you'd have to pretty much do no work and get < 10% in each exam).

[kronstadt]

The private schools, you have a studying environment and in public, well you don't always have that environment.

You don't always have that environment in private schools either, so your point is moot.

I have only heard of one case where a student was asked to go to a different school because his results were not good enough to go into year 12 (that person ended up with a 98+ ENTER so god knows what the school was thinking). Otherwise, many private schools would be reluctant to expel a student just because their academic record was not up to scratch. As long as their parents can keep paying the school fees the school will turn a blind eye. They want the money to build chapels and pretty new halls so that they can *look* like a private school.

This is from experience - in almost all my classes there were people who were so unmotivated and lazy that I just didn't understand why they'd continue to waste their parents' money. They were the people who got ENTERs of 15.xx and 24.xx.

Really?  Some private schools are "...reluctant to expel a student"?  I thought some of those elite schools do a "spring cleaning" at the end of year 10 or something like that to keep only the best of the best so ensure that their median study score and "% study scores over 40" remained high.

I know our school did a 'spring cleaning' at the end of year 10 and I wouldn't regard it as an elite school, but i don't think it was for academic purposes

My school only does a "spring cleaning" for extreme circumstances.  Most of the times, these sort of "cleanings" happen because it's either for behaviour that has brought disrepute to the school or if someone's marks are extremely low (and that's rarely the case because you'd have to pretty much do no work and get < 10% in each exam).

Haha, yeah, my school does that. 'Spring cleaning', nice way of putting it! They did this through year 9, 10 and 11 mainly. But even with that, there were still a few bad apples left.

My school has this policy where if they fail either one of English or Religion, they fail the year in its entirety and is considered for expulsion lol.

So if you fail religion, you're pretty much screwed.

Especially if you fail it in Year 12... they'll withhold your graduation from high school till you pass.

[Duck]

I go to an expensive (12-13000) inner eastern private school and although I have attended this school from year 7 on I question exactly how much a better teacher helps. Make no mistake I have great teachers and enjoy good relationships with them but the people I see succeed do so because they study ALOT. Going to an expensive private school does nothing if you don't study. I do concede, however, that in my cohort everyone is pushed to study, not just the boys who want to get 99+. everyone else is studying and if you slack off you are the odd one out (peer pressure to study lol.) and I have never seen anyone expelled and the school in fact gave scholarships to multiple underprivileged boys in year 11-12 which is certaintly not to boost enter scores.          EDIT: assuming nothing drastic happens at the school I would mortgage my house to send my children to the same school I went to

[Spreadbury]

I go to a public school, and I don't believe that private school's offer much more than public school's other than higher fees and what's likely to be a better cohort. better teachers aren't guaranteed at private schools, I mean, my english teacher went to MacRob and teaches all three types of VCE english, I think it's safe to say that's a pretty high-quality teacher.

I like public schools, it's a fair education, it's just a shame they don't get more funding

[Duck]

Who saw the article in the age on Saturday/Sunday about "elite" private schools taking government grants, making huge surpluses then spending the money on building rather than lowering fees? Personally I agree with whoever said that if these students were released into the public system they would cost the government far more. Opinions?

[eeps]

I do attend an 'elite' school to put it frankly and true, I don't really see much difference between Public and Private schools. I'd probably agree that the cohort and teachers are better at Private schools, but that's pretty much it. I've got a cousin, the same age as me, who goes to a normal Public school and from what he's told me, it's not really a big gap.

I'd say it doesn't matter what school you go to, everyone has the desire to do well and your goals are achievable. Being at private school doesn't guarantee success for every student, like any other school, there are always the dud kids who never work or muck around. My English teacher even said that students that go to 'private schools' like mine, will have a higher chance of dropping out of uni because in comparsion to other schools, we're 'spoon-fed' with information etc. and when we reach uni, it will be a reality shock for students who go to Private schools (not all though).

There are most likely students who are doing just as well or better than students at my school. Someone getting the A and A+'s at a Public school would be well off than someone getting C and C+'s at a Private school. The difference isn't that big.

Going to an expensive private school does nothing if you don't study. I do concede, however, that in my cohort everyone is pushed to study, not just the boys who want to get 99+.

I'd agree with that. Nothing should be taken for granted.

You have to may your own success, don't rely on someone or something to get it for you.

Also, I've seen about 4 or 5 students leave the school, either caused they've been expelled or they've been told to leave.

[EvangelionZeta]

Might I come out and suggest that going to private schools for "better" academics isn't really the point?  Whilst it's true that by nature private schools will often "buy" out better teachers/resources/etc., many parents recognise that academic excellence is probably enforced more rigorously at schools such as MHS or MacRob, where everyone pretty much pressures each other into doing well (and given from what I've seen, probably to a harsher extent than the competitiveness at private schools).

The reason so many parents send their kids to private schools is because of the "human" education such schools provide: I don't intend to sound elitist, because I firmly believe that it's the student that chooses the school, rather than vice-versa (ie. a lot of kids will get a lot more out of a public school education), but the focus of private schools is to foster integrity and well-roundedness within individuals.  Things like "traditional" house systems, compulsary sport/community service, well-funded music facilities etc. are there to allow students to build upon their non-academic side, and I think it's no coincidence that a lot of high-profile individuals come out of such a system.

With that said, I'd like to re-iterate that I don't think this makes private schools intrinsically better.  Obviously it depends a lot on what kind of person you are, since if you want to focus on academics or somebody who wants to go into research, say, then I can't see the private school system being all that worth it.  Hell, even in terms of co-currics, there are alternatives which can work better for some people - VCA for Music/Theatre, a LOT of schools (or even just a sporting club...) for sports, etc.  What I'd just like you all to realise though is that there IS a point to private schools, and I for one am personally quite happy that I was given the privelege of attending one.

[littlebecc]

Speaking from a person that transferred from a public and private school, i myself have noticed a vast improvement both emotionally and academically.
I could go on for a lifetime about why i prefer my private school to the public school i was previously at
So let's just dot point it
- I am now less of a brat
- I have a more positive friends group that actually care about school
- There are more resources at my private school
-People actually care about school
-COMMUNITY. I CANNOT stress this enough. The sense of community and 'together as one-ness ' at my school is insane. Along with all the school activities my school makes up leads to an extremely positive year level
- My grades are improving significantly
- The teachers actually care, and are willing to stay after school to help you
- The toilets are nicer
- There are actual study rooms

I could go on for a while...

[appianway]

Compulsory sport and community service are common at other schools as well. Just thought I'd put that in.

I think it's impossible to generalise about private schools and public schools. Some public schools, such as Princes Hill, develop a real "arty" culture which rivals almost any private school. There's no denying that the very elite private schools have more funding: I'm envious of the facilities for science at Scotch. In this respect, students at the very top private schools have all of the resources that they need... which certainly makes it easier to undergo independent research projects or enter competitions. I know that Sydney Grammar had advanced extension classes in which they study a variety of subjects, and I think I would've loved to have done something like that.

State schools often don't have great facilities, which sometimes makes a difference. The very top state schools (think Mac.Rob and MHS) get a handful of teachers with prestigious qualifications (I know a geography teacher at MHS who went to Cambridge), but private schools can often fund many teachers with PhDs. Other good state schools often have very passionate teachers who know their stuff (but without the huge name research achievements and degrees)... and these teachers are often the ones who make a real difference. I do feel as though students at schools such as Scotch and Melbourne Grammar have far more opportunities than most other students: they're exposed to so much more. Students at these schools know about applying to the top courses in Australia and places overseas because it's the norm. At selective schools, a lot of people apply for medicine and law, but it's hard to find information about other things from your peers... if you want to do a great science degree or go to university interstate (and NOT apply for medicine), you have to do a lot of your own research. This isn't a bad thing, but you're certainly at a disadvantage compared to students at some of the very top private schools.

[Spreadbury]

Speaking from a person that transferred from a public and private school, i myself have noticed a vast improvement both emotionally and academically.
I could go on for a lifetime about why i prefer my private school to the public school i was previously at
So let's just dot point it
- I am now less of a brat
- I have a more positive friends group that actually care about school
- There are more resources at my private school
-People actually care about school
-COMMUNITY. I CANNOT stress this enough. The sense of community and 'together as one-ness ' at my school is insane. Along with all the school activities my school makes up leads to an extremely positive year level
- My grades are improving significantly
- The teachers actually care, and are willing to stay after school to help you
- The toilets are nicer
- There are actual study rooms

I could go on for a while...

your reasons seem to indicate that your old school was bad moreso than private schools are good. I would vouch that a lot of public schools are NOT like your old one. "Less of a brat" is really a personal thing, "more positive frindship group that actually care about school" perhaps you should've chosen your friends more wisely? And there are a portion of people at my school (and undoubtedly, every other school) that want to do well and care about school. And teachers at my school care, and are willing to help- and generallly stay after school anyway, though i'm not sure if they'd stay any longer than usual to help. I don't ask, seems a little inconsiderate really.

to generalise that everyone who goes to a public school cares about school is probably false, I know someone who goes to a private school and they tell me some people there just as bad as those who don't care at my school.

i'd probably have to agree with you about the better facilities though... to an extent. I mean, our school has a decent library, plenty of computers and the like.

To be honest I don't see the value of private schools, in regards to EvangelionZeta's post shouldn't non-academic pursuits be pursued out of school? Also, I had to do compulsory community service for school and sport was compulsory up until year 10.

[Russ]

To be honest I don't see the value of private schools

This is basically the difference. I think it's hard to argue that the average public school will offer the same opportunities as the average private school, but whether you consider the difference worth several thousand dollars a year is a matter for the parents to decide based on their financial circumstances.

[Spreadbury]

This is basically the difference. I think it's hard to argue that the average public school will offer the same opportunities as the average private school, but whether you consider the difference worth several thousand dollars a year is a matter for the parents to decide based on their financial circumstances.

haha, condenses 145 replies into a single point.

yeah i'd say cost is a huge part of it, but in all honesty i'd never go to a private school simply because of the uniforms. The only reason I chose my school was actually because it had no uniforms. unless of course the private school could guarantee me a better future than that of a public school which it can't- it can force students to work harder, but it's always down to the students in the end.

[Yitzi_K]

To be honest I don't see the value of private schools

What about religious schools? They can't be public by law.

[Hutchoo]

I go to a public school, and I don't believe that private school's offer much more than public school's other than higher fees and what's likely to be a better cohort. better teachers aren't guaranteed at private schools, I mean, my english teacher went to MacRob and teaches all three types of VCE english, I think it's safe to say that's a pretty high-quality teacher.

I like public schools, it's a fair education, it's just a shame they don't get more funding

+1000000 billion.