Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Flip

Original poster

What year in Australian schools equates with UK Lower Sixth?

18 replies

ajandjjmum · 02/02/2009 10:03

Be really grateful if anyone knows - ds is looking to go on an exchange programme, and don't know which year to look at!

Thanks.

OP posts:

Cies · 02/02/2009 10:06

I don't know about Australia's system, but lower sixth is the penultimate year at school, when students are 16-17. Also called year 12.

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 02/02/2009 10:18

It seems that Yr. 12 is actually the last year in Australian schools, so I suppose logically it would be Yr. 11/12 he would be joining, which is fine as they're at the same Campus!

Thanks!

OP posts:

kayspace · 02/02/2009 16:06

Which state?

Until recently, in QLD, I believe compulsory ed went from Y1 to Y10 or Y11, with Y11-12 being what in the UK would be 6th form, but finishing school (and starting uni!) at 17.

Now I think the Preschool bit has become compulsory but not sure if earliest school leaving is 15 or 16. The school year starts in January, so I think a child turning 5 to 6 in a given year would enter Y1 that Jan, for example.

bloss · 02/02/2009 16:20

Message withdrawn

Bubbaluv · 02/02/2009 16:25

How exciting, where is he looking at going to?

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 03/02/2009 11:20

He is hoping to do an exchange for just one term at a school in Victoria - having said that, there are a few boys in his year who are keen to do this, and there are unlikely to be more than 1 or 2 places.

It just seems funny that he will be spending his summer holiday in school - fantastic experience though, if he's lucky enough to be selected.

Thanks for all your help!

OP posts:

Bubbaluv · 03/02/2009 13:07

Does he realise it would mean skipping Summer altogether? it will be cold in Victoria.
Still, would be good fun I'm sure. Public (state) or private school?

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 03/02/2009 13:22

If we're talking about the British summer he won't necessarily be missing that much!

How cold is it in Victoria - it's actually Geelong - do you know Bubbaluv?

It's a private school - I think they arrange the exchanges between themselves.

OP posts:

Bubbaluv · 03/02/2009 13:54

Lol - true!
Geelong Grammar I guess? Excellent school.
I can't be too specific on temps as I never lived near there, but I would think lows of around 0 celcius maybe colder at night and highs of 10-12 celcius?
Pretty bloody cold!

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 03/02/2009 16:34

That's true! Geelong Grammar is the school in Australia, and then there are several possibilities in South Africa - it just depends which one (if any!) he gets offered!

He's waiting to go in to the interview at the moment - I feel really nervous for him!

Bit different to my exchange to France for a week!

OP posts:

Bubbaluv · 03/02/2009 17:13

One of my friend's sons is looking at an exchange from his school in sydney to a school in Paris. I think it's for 6 months, so I think he's terribly brave! It would be an amazing expereince though, and I think at that age it is very healthy for boys to get out and have some independence thrust upon them.
Both Geelong Grammar and The Scots College (where my friend's son goes) send all boys away to their rural campuses for 6 months when they are 15 (or 16??) so all the boys your son would meet there would have some experience of being away from home for an extended period of time.
Sending virtual good luck vibes!

kayspace · 03/02/2009 22:23

Geelong Grammar? Isn't that Gordonstoun Down Under?

Whilst I am SURE your DC will have a great time, I think one can be taken with the idea that Australia is an egalitarian, no worries, she'll be right society....

BUT I doubt you'd meet as much money-fuelled snobbery anywhere as you do in the Australian Old School Tie system! It's like the UK circa 1950!

bloss · 04/02/2009 06:59

Message withdrawn

Bubbaluv · 04/02/2009 09:30

Kayspace, I've really never seen anything like English snobbery in Aus. What gave you that impression?

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 04/02/2009 10:39

Bubbaluv
Your friend's son might be interested to look on the website of Hilton College in South Africa. They have some reports written by boys who've been on exchange, and I'm sure some have been to The Scots College.

They all start off being so nervous, and end up describing the exchange as the experience of a lifetime!

Finger's still crossed.

OP posts:

Bubbaluv · 04/02/2009 12:31

I think he wants to solidify his French language skills though, hence the Parisian choice.
I wish I'd done something like this!

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 04/02/2009 14:35

I think it's a real challenge, but great fun. The kids who come to the dc's school seem to mix in really well, get involved in all the nights out etc. Ds thought his interview went quite well, but have a feeling that he might end up going to a school in SA rather than Australia, as he was pretty flexible.

Can't believe my little baby is really up for this!!

OP posts:

Bubbaluv · 04/02/2009 21:17

He'll have a ball where ever he ends up I'm sure.
Fingers crossed!

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread