Melbourne secondary school for 2020 entry

[ItJustKeepsGettingBetter]

Hello, I would appreciate any advice on Melbourne secondary schools, we arrive there next month. DD is currently age 11, she turns 12 in December; I think that would place her in Year 6 now, and starting secondary school in Year 7 from January 2020. I think it makes sense for us to concentrate on finding some good potential secondary schools for her, or alternatively some sort of middle school that covers Years 6/7/8.

DD is very academic (passed for a grammar school place here in the UK), but also very motivated by sports. Preference is for a girls school, but would consider co-ed. Good pastoral care is important, as she is sensitive with some health issues (both physical and emotional). Ideally we want to be in the state system, but could possibly cover private fees if need be. Any suggestions would be very gratefully received!

[DancelikeEmmaGoldman]

Are you looking for public or private schools?

Public girls’ schools are MacRobertson Girls High School, Melbourne Girls College and Mentone Girls Secondary College. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’ve forgotten one.

University High School is co-ed. They are all selective entry schools I believe. They all have websites so you can check further and make contact.

Private schools are a different kettle of fish again; there are the established schools such as PLC, Tintern, Lauriston, Scotch College and Geelong Grammar, or St Kevins and Xavier in the Catholic system, which have great resources and eye-watering fees.

There is the next tier of independent schools such as Eltham College, which are still good schools without the old boy or girl advantage. Still not cheap though.

It will depend on where you live and, I suppose, how much you’re willing to pay.

There are excellent public high schools in Melbourne and regions (Bendigo Senior Secondary for example).

Not sure how comprehensive this list is: privateschoolsguide.com/victoria-private-schools

Also: www.myschool.edu.au

www.goodschools.com.au

bettereducation.com.au/school/secondary/vic/melbourne_top_government_secondary_schools.aspx

Might be worth contacting the Victorian Department of Education for some guidance.
www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/Pages/default.aspx

[ItJustKeepsGettingBetter]

Thanks @DancelikeEmmaGoldman, that's helpful! Ideally we want a public school, but will also look at the next tier of independent schools. We're not so keen on any particularly elite private schools as we've been in that system here in the UK, and could do with trying a different sort of environment. We have some flexibility over where we live, so can use schools to help drive that decision. I'll start by looking at those you've mentioned!

[HappyHammy]

My boys went to Mentone Grammer

[DemiGorgon]

school places for 2020 have been offered already- offers came out this week for state schools.
Private schools are normally confirmed in G5.(so last year) but if you move into a zone, state schools have to accommodate you.
Private schools may offer places if they have had spaces come available (we applied for 3, so turned 2 down).

Plus depending on your visa, you may have to pay for state schools.

Almost all private schools are religious- Anglican are hugely expensive 20k pa upwards, Catholic are much cheaper- and not just for Catholics!

[goldopals]

Where are you in Melbourne?

[Daisypie]

My DC have been in both public and private schools in Melbourne. Pastoral care is often better at private schools because they have so many more resources. However the expectations on kids and tension around exam results can be higher at private schools.

[BinkyandBunty]

Melbourne is geographically huge, an idea of where you'll live would be helpful.

The vast majority of girls turning 12 late this year will go into year 7 next year. Your daughter would go into year 6 with girls who are still 10yo.