Choosing a School for Your Child NSW NSW Issue#34 2018

Despite my two children being just one and three years old, discussions regarding their schooling are held frequently in our household. What exactly makes a good school? What direction do we want their school life to take? And how do we make the difficult choice of where to send them when they are so young? The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is something I mention to friends and family and read about on an almost daily basis. For families, a child’s school offers a rich opportunity for involvement and belonging for not only the child, but the child’s family. The possibilities to participate in and enjoy school life are many and your involvement matters to your child. With this in mind, our feature on page 26 by…

Education regularly undergoes changes, so it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the current educational curriculum, policy and teaching methods when choosing a school for your child. Here’s an overview of what to expect from your child’s years of schooling. Australian curriculum The national curriculum is produced by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) in consultation with educators. The Australian curriculum sets out the core knowledge, understanding, skills and general capabilities important for all Australian students. It describes the learning entitlement of students as a foundation for their future growth and makes clear what young Australians should learn as they progress through their school years. It is also the foundation for the high-quality teaching required to meet the needs of Australian students. ACARA developed the Australian curriculum in consultation with…

Schools vary greatly in their emphasis, philosophy, activities, staffing and costs. It’s more than just a choice between private and public schooling as there are many factors to consider. We are fortunate in Australia that our education offerings are of a very high standard and we have a large range of options from which to choose. Because you want to match the best school with the interests and abilities of your children, this often requires a considerable amount of footwork to visit schools to see the facilities on offer and to speak with staff and principals. When judging schools, you should be persistent, well researched, and have a clear understanding of the New South Wales education system — as well as the choices available — before making your final decision. Ask your child Your…

The choice within the NSW public school system has greatly increased in recent years. Your child is automatically entitled to a place in their local high school, but you can also apply for a place at non-local high schools, such as single-gender, specialist, selective, sports or agricultural high schools. You can potentially take advantage of increased specialisation in the public education system. Some restrictions do apply. Students from outside a school’s designated local enrolment area can be offered a place only if space permits after local students have been accommodated. Additionally, schools such as selective and agricultural high schools have special enrolment criteria based on academic merit. Selective and agricultural schools Currently in NSW there are 17 fully selective schools, four selective agricultural high schools, 25 high schools with selective classes and a…

Today’s Higher School Certificate (HSC) offers more than 110 courses, including a range of nationally accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses. Depending on subject choice, NSW students can graduate with a Higher School Certificate, a nationally recognised VET qualification, credit transfer into TAFE NSW courses and/or an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). The Higher School Certificate (HSC) The HSC is an internationally recognised qualification for students who have successfully completed secondary education in NSW. The HSC is flexible and accessible to all students. There’s a wide variety of subjects to choose from for the HSC, with more than 110 courses developed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES), along with a range of Board-Endorsed courses. The syllabuses make it clear to everyone what students are expected to learn and…

The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” has poignancy for modern society. While it is relevant, many may struggle to identify as valued and contributing members of a “village”. However, for families, a child’s school offers a rich opportunity for involvement and belonging for both the child and the child’s family. For example, when parents commit to make Roseville College their family’s “village”, it is because they regard highly the school and our mission in education, and they share our values. They make securing a place at our school, to provide a lasting benefit to their daughter, a priority. In 2018, our “village” celebrates 110 years of realising purpose in the lives of thousands of Australian women who call this school their own. And realising purpose is what we…