We hope to be moving to Secret Harbour in November 08. I've been checking out private schools in the areas of Mandurah and Rockingham and other places for my 6 year old to start in Feb 09. There seems to be waiting lists for all of the schools!
Does anyone know how long the average waiting list is, and how difficult is it to get your child in. Also, does anyone know good government schools in these areas?
I'm already starting to get a bit stressed with the school situation, and it's only March yet!
Can't answer for that part of the country but on our October reccie to Adelaide, we put our kids names down on a private waiting list asking for entry in October 08 for 2 of ours and Feb 09 for our 3rd. We did this because the good schools in that area are all quite strictly catchmented and we didn't want to have to buy a house in a particular area to fit in with the school. Although we were told the waiting list was quite long, we go an email in December stating they were holding places for our kids. We were also told by several private schools that there was no reason not to put their names down at as many as we wanted and that if the names came up and we weren't ready yet, we would not move to the bottom of the list but just be jumped over for that intake. They would then check with us again the next time a place became available. So I'd put names down at a few you are interested in and check them out when you arrive.
Can't answer for that part of the country but on our October reccie to Adelaide, we put our kids names down on a private waiting list asking for entry in October 08 for 2 of ours and Feb 09 for our 3rd. We did this because the good schools in that area are all quite strictly catchmented and we didn't want to have to buy a house in a particular area to fit in with the school. Although we were told the waiting list was quite long, we go an email in December stating they were holding places for our kids. We were also told by several private schools that there was no reason not to put their names down at as many as we wanted and that if the names came up and we weren't ready yet, we would not move to the bottom of the list but just be jumped over for that intake. They would then check with us again the next time a place became available. So I'd put names down at a few you are interested in and check them out when you arrive.
Good luck!
Liz
Thanks Liz - They got in touch with you quite quickly which sounds promising. I've picked about 6 schools in and around the area and I've just started to fill in the application forms. I hope one will have a place for him by Feb 09.
Sorry don't know the answer as my children are at state schools
Ali
I'm looking at the Secret Harbour primaries as well, which are state, because we'll be living there, and it would make sense for them to go to a local school. I'm waiting for a reply from them. I hope they don't have long waiting lists either!
Sorry don't know the answer as my children are at state schools
Ali
We're also looking at state schools. It would make sense for my kids to go to one of the Secret Harbour schools as we'll be living there. Hope they don't have waiting lists too!
The State school are per catchment area, there are no waiting lists for the state schools and they cannot deny your child a place if you live in the catchment area.
The Private school waitlists can be quiet long, so the sooner you get there names down the better.
In WA the private schools do not work on catchment areas.
Can't answer for that part of the country but on our October reccie to Adelaide, we put our kids names down on a private waiting list asking for entry in October 08 for 2 of ours and Feb 09 for our 3rd. We did this because the good schools in that area are all quite strictly catchmented and we didn't want to have to buy a house in a particular area to fit in with the school. Although we were told the waiting list was quite long, we go an email in December stating they were holding places for our kids. We were also told by several private schools that there was no reason not to put their names down at as many as we wanted and that if the names came up and we weren't ready yet, we would not move to the bottom of the list but just be jumped over for that intake. They would then check with us again the next time a place became available. So I'd put names down at a few you are interested in and check them out when you arrive.
Good luck!
Liz
Thanks Liz. You were offered places quite quickly, which sounds promising. I've contacted some private schools and will be putting their names down soon, so hopefully they might be offered places by the time we get there. I've also contacted the local state schools which sound good too. It's difficult to judge when we are on the other side of the world! I'll put their names down for private and state and visit them when we get there.
Private school waiting lists
