Schools in Tassie

[Phezza]

I am at a bit of a fork in the road and am after any opinions that people have to offer.

We are due to send out eldest son to school next year and we are tossing up wether to send him to a Government school or a private school. The schools on our list are:

- Glenorchy Primary
- Springfield Gardens
- Sacred Heart
- St Marys/St Virgils

Both myself and my partner went to Catholic Schools. I loved primary and college, but loathed the high school i went to. My partner loved every minute of his schooling. While I would like to send our son to the school I went to (his dad did all his schooling in Launnie), I have heard mixed reviews that its nothing like it used to be.

Both my parents went through the public system, and they scrimped and saved to send my sister and I through the private system, which all in all was kind of pointless because the jobs we have both gotten could have been acheived through any form of schooling. Mum seems to believe that she forked all the money out so that we could pop the school on our resumes.

I am mainly after any feedback on the above schools or any others that have been really good. I find that a school website can boast about the school as much as they want, but at the end of the day its other parents experiences that I am after.

Thanks :)

[GoneBatty]

Hi there,

I sent my son to Glenorchy for Kinder which was in 2010. we were living in Old beach but uncertain if we were moving back over the Glenorchy side of the river.

I'll be honest and say it was not what I wanted in a school for my child/children, and we change his school for Prep last year. His actual kinder teacher was lovely and supportive but there were a few incidences of parents having major arguments and also physical fights in the school grounds, lots of swearing and general unpleasantness that I dont think has any place in a primary school, especially directly in front of kinder and prep class rooms

Cant help too much with the others but thought you could use that info while considering your options :)

[stella marie]

My friend's DD started Kinder at Sacred Heart last year and she speaks very highly of the school. The teaching staff have all been wonderful and the communication between the school and parents is also good. The only issue she has commented on is the huge cost of the school uniform. It was not so bad last year as Kinders were able to just wear the sports uniform but this year for prep she was required to purchase a blazer which must be worn to and from school - it was very expensive new and she could not get one second-hand.

Don't know much about the others on your list but I do know of Goulburn St in West Hobart which is a public school that takes children from all areas. I have been to the playgroup previously that this school runs from its Kinder and it is a lovely school with really open, friendly and welcoming teaching staff. I think the problem with most other public schools is they are really strict with their boundaries and you have to attend the school closest to where you live. This is all well and good if the school in your area is suitable, but not so great when you've only heard bad reports about the school.

Perahps you should check out playgroups/pre-kinder programs for this year from your list of schools and go along to have a look - it may help you to make a decision for next year.

Goodluck.:D

[Phezza]

Thank you so much for the advice girls!!

Yes i have heard exactly the same about Glenorchy!! When we found out we were pregnant i was over the moon to be able to send him to Brent Street, however a year or so later it merged :|

The uniform/fees were one big thing for me with sacred heart. I will fork the money out if i think he will progress there, however they have sooo many kids that go there, and I think their class sizes are quite large too.

I am still so confused as to the private vs public debate. My thought is that it doesn't really matter as long as the school has a large sense of community.