Quote:
Originally Posted by huggies
My daughter will be starting year 11 in september and if I get my application agreed, will be going over to oz in April 2010. Is it still worth my daugther staying here and finishing her gcse's or will they nto count in Oz. I see that she will be staying on until year 12 anyway. any advice f
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Its really up to you, as you know GCSE's don't exsist here so technically they are a bit of a waste. But she has spent the last 2 years studying for them and will be taking them in May so it would seem a bit of a shame not to take them now. The courses themselves should have given her an excellent background for her VCE/HSC and if she is considering going to a private school they may give you the edge on getting a place, these can be quite hard to get and many schools have long waiting lists. If she is going to the local state school its not so much of an issue as they have to find her a place, but ones outside the catchment don't, a bit like in the UK. If you come over in April, they new academic year here doesn't start until the end of January so she may either decide to take a long holiday or go into term 2 or 3 depending on when you arrive and how quick she wants to start, but that would mean Year 10 here, starting Year 11 the following January (first year VCE).
Don't rule out private education if you can afford it, upto 50% of high schools kids here go private and coming straight into VCE (A levels) you may find its money well spent. If your going to use the state schools, research your catchment school very carefully. There are some good state schools out there but also some shocking ones, (Like the UK!) and the good ones certainly won't be offering places to anyone that lives outside their catchment as they are always oversubscribed.
If you are going to use a private school its worth contacting some before you arrive if you have some idea on where you maight want to settle and getting your names on the waiting list. This usually does cost, but you may be disappointed by not getting in if you don't. Yopu can put your names on several lists, look at the schools when you get here and if they have places it will make it easier for you to get in. Be warned though, just because they take your money and put you on a list doesn't guarantee a place. This only works for private schools, state schools won't consider you until you live here usually, (not the good ones anyway!)
nah, im in year nine now and we have heaps of different stuff to england.
