High schools not in your catchment area... need some help? :(

[AndyUK]

Hi all

We are just in the process of looking at high schools for our son, and our understanding is that he has automatically been placed at Warnbro High because of where we are based. Considering I have not heard great things about this school and the academic results do not look the best I am not overly keen. I have however heard better things about Rockingham which is out of our catchment area. So i have been told to complete some forms and bring some ID and also a letter explaining why he should go to that school. Has anyone had any experience of this and how you went about it i.e. what sort of information is going to get him in? Cheers Andy

[The Pom Queen]

Hi Andy, it's usually hard getting in to a school that is out of your zone, are there no non government schools you could consider?

[sunni1234]

Warnbro high has improved a great deal. Facilities i hear are really good. Maybe give it a go and make up your mind from experience rather than from others. Just saying as a few people have been put off cuz of word of month when actually those that have given a go are impressed.

Good luck either way

[northernbird]

Warnbro high has improved a great deal. Facilities i hear are really good. Maybe give it a go and make up your mind from experience rather than from others. Just saying as a few people have been put off cuz of word of month when actually those that have given a go are impressed.

Good luck either way

A poster on here works at Warnbro and her daughter goes there and has had no issues. I have an issue with NAPLAN results being the basis for choice of schools but that is just me. Take a look School fight club filmers to be suspended | Perth Now Not sure I would be choosing Rockingham to be honest. I have another friend who would take her daughter out if she had the choice and could afford private.

[AndyUK]

Thanks for the comments. Yes you are right 'sunni1234' - but it is really risky if it turns about to be the wrong option especially at high school so a little worried and I don't want to make the wrong option if I can consider something slightly more of a sure fire I guess. We shall see... I may not have any choice. Thanks Andy

[AndyUK]

Thanks Northernbird... that article is extremely eye opening. Cheers Andy

[Shaz36]

I had been told that the kind of info you could provide are NAPLAN results, ICAS competition results (these tests are optional), letter from teacher or principal, any evidence of sporting or musical excellence, ie playing sport at regional level or music gradings as well as school reports for the last 2 years. A neighbour of mine, also a teacher at my local primary school got her son into an out of catchment high school this year, and provided the above as well as a letter from the son saying why he thinks he should go to the school. He also is a member of various out of school things like Rotary Club, and is on a few committees at the school - debating club etc. He's a pretty high achiever, and got in with no problems to the school he wanted. It was a state school, not private.

I also agree that go to a few open days to get a feel for the schools for yourself, meet some of the pupils and teachers and make your own mind up about the school, because everyone has an opinion when it comes to schools here, and as I have seen, people will justify why the school they have chosen is the best and that all others are no good, whether thats the case or not. So go and find out what you can for yourself.

[ErmintrudeMcMoo]

OK first thing I will say is that my kid goes to Warnbro and has done very well so far - she is looking to go to Uni to do teaching when she completes Yr12 this year, it is however a large school with around 1200 student. Secondly you can apply to a school not in your zone in writing - the school MUST reply with an answer within 48 hours and they must back up any negative answer in writing giving their reasons for refusal,(also the school cannot ask you to provide reports prior to accepting you - that would look like cherry picking) you can then appeal to the Dept of Ed - ask for Eric Troy. I would say any appeal to the Dept will have quite a good chance of being supported. Also keep in mind that people living in Baldivis can send their kids to Comet Bay - you have a choice, however it is a bit of a trek. I reckon Safety Bay would be nearer but the student would still have to catch a bus to Warnbro Train Station and change buses but they`d have to do that no matter what school they went to. Lots of kids in Baldivis go to Warnbro TBH I see no difference between any of the state schools in the area - I`ve heard good and bad things about every one and that includes the private - it all depends on who you speak to.

[fish.01]

As an FYI for others, in Qld not all schools are catchment controlled. The list is here: http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/catchment/

I have noticed that some primary schools that are outside a controlled catchment can still be designated as feeder schools to the catchment controlled school.