Brief overview of schooling system in Australia pls

[99redballoons]

Hi, as part of my research to emmigrating to Sydney, I'd really appreciate it if someone could give me an overview of the schooling system in Australia - ie. is it Primary and Secondary like in the UK and do the children move up at the same ages? What exams are taken at what ages (keep seeing HSC results but not sure what the UK equiv would be - GCSE?). Can anyone point me in the right direction for the equivalent ofsted website? What should I be looking at for a 'good school'? I have heard that there isn't a postcode lottery like in the UK?

Think we'd be moving somewhere like Hornsby, Belrose or Manly, but really have no idea yet! TIA

Lucky you, we lived in Melbourne for a while but before ds so can't tell you much but I know they start school at 5 and the school year starts in January they finish school at about 18 with Hsc so more equivelent to A-levels although totally different. Sorry can't help much maybe someone else will come along

your best bet is to search out NSW department of Education as each state has differences.

Like eidsvold said, every state has different systems so you need to hang on for someone from Sydney to come and give you the low down.
I live in Victoria (Melbourne) so all I can tell you is what happens here:
They have Primary and High Schools. They move from Primary to High Sch after year 6 but they may be a bit older in age as they are really flexible about the start age for school (some children will be close to or already 6 before they start)
They have Year 11 school leavers and then they have Year 12 VCE (equiv to HSC in Sydney and A Levels in the UK)
There is no ofsted in Australia so you will need to look at state Department of Ed websites.
In Melbourne school entrance IS zoned according to where you live. But it isn't a 'lottery'. If you live in the zone the school HAS to take you - very simple.

I'm in Sydney but it's all a bit new for me as
I'm an expat and DD is starting next week.

[waves to Eids - how are you feeling about DD1 starting now?]

I know that DD is starting at 5 - I think the rule is if she is 5 by some point in April then she starts this year. The school year is Jan-Dec. She will be just 6 when she starts Y1 - at the moment she will be starting in Kindergarten. Before that it's pre-school - some schools have pre-school affiliated with them, but that might just be the private ones.

Hsc is at 18 and a much broader qualification than A levels. I think that's it unless they're doing vocational qualifications, so don't think there is a GCSE equivalent. That's about all I know, as we're not there yet!

still very very nervous about it. Emailed the special needs coordinator today to ask about teachers etc but have not heard back.

She is dead keen to start now - going on about prep and big school. Not helped by me having her uniform out and labelling it along with finishing making a drink bottle cover and so on.

do they wear those really really short dresses like on Neighbours?

oh yes in high school depending on the child - you would roll your skirt waist band to make it shorter. Depends on the school as well.

primary school skirts/dresses are usually a reasonable length.

Most girls now go for polo shirt and shorts - see my profile for dd1's pic. There are three variations of uniform they can wear - dress, polo shirt and shorts like pic or check blouse and skort.

fab uniform..love the hat

your dd is gorgeous

My cousin's daughter has just left this girl's school in Sydney. My cousin and her daughter could not praise it highly enough, and my cousin's daughter is a delightful girl who has just passed her International Baccalaureate with 43/45 - and she wasn't even top of her year group, one girl got the full 45 points.

Anna - Goodness, that looks a great school. I'd love DD to do the IB, it's a good qualification. And non-denominational-ish. I looked all over Sydney for one of those! Is it fee-paying? It has a whiff of expense about it

ggirl - DD's uniform is on my profile too. Nice and long!

Eids - that's good that she's so keen though isn't it? Are you most worried about other parents of about how DD will cope and her support? Thanks loads for your help with my DD, I really appreciate it.

arfishy - yes, it's a fee-paying school. I have no idea about fees but you could always go and have a look around

It's too far away from us in Mosman. Although actually I'd be quite happy to live in Mosman - I believe having a yacht there is almost compulsory .

I'm grrr about the IB. I might speak with DD's head in the hope that they can get the curriculum in in the next 10 years (DD is 5).

[make note to be irritating parent even before DD has even started]

Hi all, thanks so much for the comments. I have since found the NSW ed website.. will take a look. I'm finding it hard to see which schools are where, but I guess that's cos I don't know where the areas are or what they are like as a potential home.

It's all still a 'dream' for us atm, we're not sure we'll have enough points and will end up in the 'pool'. Can anyone advise a little on the points system.. does the number of points govern where you can live in Aus or is it a case once it's been approved you can live anywhere?

just to clarify, dh is main earner and in good well paid job, but has no official qualifications as has worked since 16. I have a degree but have been out of work for last 4 years as SAHM, so even though I would get more points I haven't worked recently so doesn't count. I also have family out there and wondered if I could get sponsored by them, but again would fall short of points as I've not been working.

arfishy - check out the International Baccalaureate Organisation website to see which schools in Sydney do the IB. Australia has a pretty large number of schools that do.

Thanks Anna - I will

a bit of both arfishy - I think dd1 will cope and for us it is about being part of the community she lives in. We do have goals for her but for us it is important that she is part of a community - her sisters will attend that school etc. So provided the appropriate support is there - I am sure she will flourish.

You know parents - there will be those who will not see an issue with dd1 being there, those who will see her and her attendance as a novelty, and those who will make comments like - 'kids like that belong in a special school'. Also a little concerned about the teacher's - after all - have heard teacher's say ' if I wanted to teach special ed kids I would teach in a special school!' not from dd1's school YET.

But it is a big step special needs or not - just seems like a giant leap for us and her.

sorry for the hijack 99 balloons.

Yes 99, sorry for the hijack. Have you found out everything that you need yet?

there's some literature about dumbing down the education system in australia.. you might want to take a look, it could help you choose
google "dumbing down australia schools" and i think you'll find it

Thanks for the info re schools. I think as both dh and I will be 35 by the time we apply for our visa we will lose 5 valuable points to prevent dropping down into the 'pool'. I think we need to speak someone who knows what they're doing. Can anyone recommend a good agent?

Hijack is not a problem! I hope your dd1 enjoys her new school. She looks adorable in her uniform!