nic0218 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Hi there, Anyone had experience of getting their kids a primary school place in a QLD school? Do you apply centrally, as we do in the UK, Or do you apply directly to the school? I'm assuming that if it's the latter, there's waiting lists for the good schools?! Any replies about your experiences would be gratefully received!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samshep Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 We are moving there in April, I have e-mailed a couple of schools they have sent me info, it's quite relaxed out there. I shall then visit them and then they start them pretty much immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 For state schools, it seems that you will get in as long as you are in the catchment area. Some schools are enrolment managed so very strict about making sure you live in the catchment. For private schools I have heard there can be long waiting lists. Which area are you heading to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jje Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 You apply direct to the school. Some schools have strict catchment areas but as long as you are in that area you are guaranteed a place. Other schools don't have that catchment; they are the ones with plenty of spaces to fill generally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirra Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I enrolled from the UK. We secured a rental so I just looked up online what school was near me and checked the catchment map. I saw I was in it, so I emailed the school and got nothing back. So I called them and the admin lady was very nice. Just asked what street I was in to check I was in their catchment then emailed me the form. I completed it and scanned it, scanned my daughters passport (she is an Aussie by descent) and also scanned our Lease to prove address and sent it off. She emailed me back overnight saying all set and enrolled fairly easy. The hardest part is getting the address! If you fall within their catchment they have to accept you. Its not like the UK where its a big lottery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 All government schools have catchment areas - many will only accept kids from that catchment - they are obliged to find a place - others (and you have to wonder why) may be a bit more flexible! Just get your house sorted then rock up to the local school with your passport (evidence of age and visa), something which attests to your permanent address and your kids' vaccination records and they can (in theory) start there and then but schools usually like a day or two to get things organized for them (class placement, extra desks, electives etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 As others have suggested, it's very easy!! You can rock up to the school one day and your children could start the next day! If there is a particular school you are interested in, it's worth emailing them and checking out how strict they are on their catchment area. If they are strict you will have to have proof of address to enrol your child into that school - which obviously means waiting until you find a rental in that area and producing your rental agreement. Love Rudi x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic0218 Posted January 26, 2012 Author Share Posted January 26, 2012 Thanks to everyone for your replies. We're thinking of heading to the Yeppoon area, as my brother has advised not to touch Rockhampton!! We're also going on a reccie visit in Feb, so we'll check out the local schools and enquire into the catchment areas. Many thanks again to everyone who replied! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Have you been on here: http://www.myschool.edu.au/SchoolSearch.aspx Gives you some information such as school size, socio-economic breakdown of students, NAPLAN results, links to school websites etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic0218 Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Thanks Alaska, for the link. I've been on individual school websites, but not this one. I'll spend the weekend, adding to my research..thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairystar32 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 We just went too the school, joined the kids and they started a few days later. We are not in the catchment for any of them, so depends if they had room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fashionably Late Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 We were told, prior to choosing private schools, that they needed to see a long term lease for proof of address in a cachement area. They wouldn't accept short-term rentals for address. We are in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceberg Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Very different to the UK - my wife and I were over there visiting schools (primary) in Sept 11 - we are looking to move to Buderim or surround so visited 4 different ones dotted all around there and each one said exactly the same thing i.e. We are no where near getting to the stage where capacity would be a problem so yes as another poster said - just rock up and join in. I almost had to stop myself laughing when I asked how much 'noticed' they would need and the Head Teacher replied - Well, it would be good if you could give a weeks notice but if thats not possible then not to worry!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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