My two children go to the local state primary school, I have been looking at local state secondary schools for my daughter although she won't be starting until 2009 they suggest you have a look now. There are some magazines here which you can buy and has info on all the secondary schools. As I am only looking at the schools briefly I have just chosen local ones and listened to what people say about them. The magazine does state what the university referral is and what the VCE results are (a bit like A' levels) so you have a bit of a guide.
There are no seperate infant and junior schools, they are all primary and fairly large from what I can see, but again that will depend on where you are living. I have been happy with the school that my kids go to. I was also quite impressed with the secondary schools. the thing that is different is that you do have to pay even though they are state schools. I didn't think we would have to pay at all but we had to pay a few hundred dollars for each child to go to school. They also do quite a few activities and you have to pay for that as well. I must say that it does feel a bit like you have to pay for something every week. Having said that the kids are experiencing more than they did in the UK. A couple of weeks ago my son went swimming every day for two weeks (for about an hour), yes we did have to pay but I thought it was good that they were going in the first place!
There are a lot of relgious schools and some private ones as well, although I haven't looked at either type so I can't make any comment on them.
As for choosing catchments, I think this really only applies to secondary schools and I think it depends on the school you want them to go to and how big it is. They have feeder primary schools, so if your child goes to the right feeder school then they will get in. You have two choices, so it is similar to the UK. As for primary, we simply chose the one that we felt most comfortable with, they never quizzed us about whether we lived in the right catchment. I have made quite a few friends here (mainly English!) and I don't think anyone else has ever been turned down.
Schools was a real worry for me, particularly as my son hates going to school, but it was a lot easier to choose a school than I thought and I have been happy with that choice.
Hope that helps. If you would like to contact me when you arrive drop me an email and I can give you my mobile number and I can certianly show you Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Wonga Park etc... thats if you have enough time to answer this message!
Hi,
I'm new to this so please be kind!!
We are emigrating to Melbourne this August.. Yippee!!!. My husband will be working in Dandenong, so we've been told Doncaster East and Berwick are nice areas, the only thing is Doncaster East seens quite expensive and we've promised a nice house with pool to our daughters. Does anyone know what Berwick is like or has anyone got any other recommendations?.. I've got to be honest and say I am a little bit worried about our daughters aged 17 and 15, we are lucky they want to come with us but were will they fit in with schools? What are the schools like in those areas? Our 17 year old will be in 2nd year college here in Sept and our 15year old in year 11 in sept (such bad timing really but we dont want to lose the opportunity to start a new life there). The girls are great about it, its me who is worrying... ( i guess thats what Mums do best. I would love some help and advice please!!!
Thanks
Tracey
I currently live in Doncaster East and we too promised the kids a pool but they haven't got one and we don't think we'll bother now!!! There is a great swimming baths here with an outdoor 50 mtr, indoor 25 mtr, toddler pool, childrens pool, diving boards (outside), slide, BBQ areas, spa, sauna, gym, aerobics hall, canteen etc... hence the need not to have the pool!
I have made a friend here (english) who also has a 15yr old daughter and a 17 yr old son, they go to East Doncaster Secondary school and have fitted in well, made friends and don't want to return to the UK.
You might find it helpful to buy a report called Where to Live In melbourne. I got it from this site but it was about a year ago. I have only driven through Berwick but from what I can remember it is quite small and rural, seems nice enough. It really does depend on your budget and what you want. Average four bed house in this area with a pool would be about $600-$700,000. Don't know about Berwick but I would guess it would be half that. Its the same as in the UK though, house prices go up the closer to the city you are and the more facilities you get!
Your daughters would both be in the same school, I am guessing that the eldest would be in year 11 and the youngest in year 9. The cut off for age is 30th April compared to 30th August, so it also depends on their birthdays. The schools would be able to advise, obviously, when you arrive. There are four terms and August is in the middle of the third term. There is a holiday in Sept/October and then the fourth term finishes just before Christmas for the long summer holidays when they go back to school at the end of Jan.
Thanks you so much Jo, I feel so much better now, I'm feeling alittle bit "on our own" at the moment, we cant tell family and friends yet that we're emigrating (even though we're coming over in August)because OH needs to sort out the final arrangements with work first!. My eldest is in 1st year college, and my youngest is year 10 ( our timing is terrible but we've all decided that we want to emigrate and start our new life) I do worry that the girls wont get chance to finish their exams over here, but they are so happy to go I know i'm very lucky. Thank you for telling me about Doncaster and Berwick.. Would you say Doncaster East is a nicer place to aim for? I'm new to this site (its been a god send) but how do I find the book you've recommended?
Please keep in touch I feel i've got a life line at last.
Thanks
Tracey
I am bound to be biased and say Doncaster East! But it really does depend on what you want. Possibly with your daughters being in their teens you may prefer this area as there are good links to the city, and its quite busy. Its not too different from the UK so if you want a real change then maybe Berwick would be better, I guess it also depends on where you live in the UK and what you' re used to.
The report can be found at 'wheretoliveinmelbourne.com', but I can't remember how much it cost but I found it invaluable and well worth the money. I think it was about £12-15 sometthing like that. Have a look at that and it will help, but the best thing is to have a good look when you are here. The time will fly....
Hi Tracey I have the 'Where to live in Melbourne' book, I dont know if I could email you a copy (not to good on the old PC) but I could try if you send me your email address.
As for worrying about your daughters, I'd say your doing the right thing by moving now (while they're all for it) another year or two at their age can make a massive difference to how they feel. Mine are 17, 15 & 11 and I cant wait to move now incase they suddenly find boy/girlfriends and refuse to move.
