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Point Cook Primary on the RAAF base
Hi, We moved to Melbourne in July and did all the rounds of the primary schools; werribee, caranballac, hoppers crossing etc. Met the principals and did the tours. My new employer had put me us up in Sanctuary Lakes Quest apartments (furnished). We found Point Cook Primary School on the RAAF base to be the best. Its smaller and friendlier with good facilities and class sizes plus the kids all looked pretty healthy. The school has about 20% RAAF kids and so they are very good at managing new arrivals and geting them settled in - particularly if they arive during the school year. Carranballc school was also good but it is really big. Our kids are used to a small school and would have been overwhelmed.
There's a few catholic schools around that can be good and are a few hundred dollars a yearto enrol. preference for entry is given to practising catholics followed by practising Christians and they do take non-practising families as well but they are given less priority. You have to go meet with the parish priest and have a chat.
I thought Werribee (the town) was okay - has all the factilities - shooping, sports etc. but after a couple of weeks realised there was a very rough undercurrent and crime. The other big downside is if you commute to Melbourne by train. The 'Connex' suburban line is a nightmare. You're packed in like sardines. Driving is not a good option in rush hour (6-9am).
We bailed out and went to live in Lara which is just before Geelong. It's a great country town with a couple of primary schools and stuff. Geelong is also excellent but a little too far to commute. The plus point for Lara is that the train service is the state line called V/Line. Yo get a nice comfortable seat and it flies straight through to Melbourne without stopping at a million little stations on the way.
The other problem with Sanctuary Lakes was that there are no people. My partner would have died of boredom - you can push the buggy around the streets for an hour and not meet a soul. Even at night it's hard to find a house with lights on. Where are all the people? There are loads of paths and open space but you'll find it's prety much al for golf carts - no pedestrains allowed! Lakes equal mozzies, and the summer the house are plagued by ants so make sure all your kitchen food is sealed away in airtight boxes.
My advice, add Lara onto your list as well if you get a chance before making any final decisions
Hope this helps
Doug
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