Tanllwyth

We've just moved into the area, looking to enrol my two children in year 8 and 11 at either Hervey Bay State High or Urangan State High. We've got enrolment packs from both schools, Urangan happily gave a tour while Hervey Bay High wasn't so keen, or at least wanted the interview done first. So I can't decide which school, there's about 1,700 pupils in Urangan and 850 in Hervey Bay High. Does anybody have any experience with these schools that can help with our decision? Thanks

Thanks for your help! Ok...it's good to know that there's lots of different options, seems to be more available than over here to be honest. And yeah, you're right, I'd love to come back over to Aus, just wanted to be clear on how the system works How did you decide if you wanted to do A-levels or Aus year 11+12? And where did you decide to study?

It's a long time to wait though Has the school dealt with your son joining easily? I'm hoping that where I am supposedly going (Hervey Bay area) is used to migrants joining school at random times of the year. It can't be too complicated because loads of people move, right? I really don't know what to expect in school, if I'll be behind or ahead of my class. I'm the oldest in my year here, but I'll be one of the youngest in Oz year 11 so it might be a shock! How's your son finding it?

Thanks, I was starting to worry that I'd lose music as an option. I've found out that there are conservatoires in Oz but they're called "conservatoriums"...Brisbane would be my nearest, but Sydney looks really good too. Do you know anything about the Australian Youth Orchestra?

I guess that's what I'm worried about; being faced with the idea of university much sooner than I expected. Here in Wales I've got another 3 years before I have to even think about it, but in Australia it's kind of crept up on me how young you leave. I initially thought it's great to leave earlier, but I honestly don't know what I want to do. I like music as I've said before, and conservatoire is an option for me over here, but I wouldn't mind doing medicine or veterinary science either. James Cook/Griffith/Bond university looks awesome, but I cant believe I'd start at 17! Also, if I stay for GCSEs I won't have the option to move any more because my year would be leaving that xmas, and I'd be in school with people a lot younger. Apparently GCSEs aren't even recognised in Oz either, that's why I'm pretty annoyed about doing them. It seems that the UK is the only education system with two major sets of external exams, and maybe that' the reason we have a year 13? Who knows.

Thanks everyone for your responses, I guess I just miss Oz and don't want to face another 3.5 years of school here to get decent qualifications...plus I feel like something will always be holding me back and it will only get worse the longer I stay, eventually it will be A-Levels, uni and then employment So you think british universities would charge me international fees, even if I'm a citizen? How about vice versa: If I applied to an Australian university as an Aussie citizen but with British qualifications, would I get charged as an international student?

Hi everyone, I'm 15 turning 16 this year, and in school year 10. We're considering moving back to Australia, we moved here when I was 7 or 8 due to a divorce...won't go into it now but we're in Wales now with my mum's side of the family while my dad and his lot are all in Australia. We've been back 3 times and we're just sick of switching back and forth, so yeah mum is considering moving back. We're all dual-citizens so it isn't too complicated and some of our Welsh family are there too. It's just...I'm halfway through my GCSE years, followed by A-Levels in year 12 & 13. I'd be almost 19 going to uni and I'm failing to understand how in Australia I'd finish year 12 by Xmas 2015 at 17, and go to uni? I've always wanted to go back my whole life, but now I'm older it just seems really unrealistic...by the time we move, I would have taken 3 GCSE science exams but they won't let me take English/Maths until year 11 due to league table results...all my coursework is done though, it seems like such a waste. I'm also really interested in classical music, I play flute (ABRSM Grade 8) in county orchestras and national eisteddfods, and was aiming to enter the Youth Orchestra of GB this year and eventually try for a conservatoire...are these musical opportunities available in Australia? Would it be dumb to move away from all this? I've talked to the school I'm planning on attending, and they said I could join halfway through year 11 if I was prepared to work really hard to catch up, otherwise drop back a year. Here in Wales, I'm the oldest in year 10, but I'd be one of the youngest in year 11 Australia. I'm prepared to work hard, and I don't mind skipping out GCSEs as long as the qualifications in Australia are equivalent to A-levels, and I could maybe return to do conservatoire in the UK if I chose to. So basically, do you think it's a drawback leaving school so early in Australia, when in the UK we have to do an extra 1.5-2 years to get our A-Levels? Do Australian Qualifications carry well internationally? And...are there musical opportunities in Australia too? Thanks for your time