There are many factors to consider when choosing the right school for your child, from the purely practical, like fees or transport options, to your religious or philosophical commitments. Many parents use their own school experiences as a starting point for making this important decision. Others rely on ‘word of mouth’ to get a sense of a school’s culture, but these opinions can be highly subjective. It’s also important to remember that our children are individuals and what works for one child may not be the best approach for another. Start your school search by being well informed about the different schooling options available for Queensland children. Next, consider putting some time into an old fashioned ‘pros and cons’ chart or create a checklist that covers the aspects of education that matter most to your family. The following topics may be worth considering as you’re making your decision.
PRACTICAL FACTORS It can be difficult to separate your heart from your head when it comes to making decisions about your child’s future. While it’s crucial to consider all the academic and social dimensions of education, it’s also important to weigh up the practical aspects of how your family will include schooling in day-to-day life. Some questions to ask yourself include: • Is the school affordable for your family? • Do you have a full understanding of the fees and their inclusions? • What extra expenses can you expect, like uniforms, excursions or resources? • How will your child travel to school? • Does the school offer before and after school or vacation care if required? • Does the school have safe, well-maintained grounds? Air conditioning? Sports ovals and playgrounds? • What are the school’s expectations of homework, sports teams, community involvement or church attendance? Will these commitments be feasible for your family?
THE NEEDS OF YOUR CHILD All Queensland schools will offer your child a solid education based on the Australian National Curriculum. Beyond that though, schools vary considerably in terms of their learning support, extracurricular activities or areas of specialisation. Consider the particular needs of your child and ask questions such as these: • Is your child gifted in a particular subject area? If so, will the school support and extend this interest?
• Does your child require additional learning support? If so, can the school talk to you – in detail – about its support programs?
WHICH SCHOOL?
• Is your child a self-directed learner or do they respond better to structured learning? Ask your school about its teaching and discipline philosophies. • Is your child confident when interacting with peers? Ask your school whether it offers transition programs or a buddy system for new students. How big are class sizes? How is bullying handled? • Does your child have a specific vocation in mind? If so, does this school offer industry linkages, work experience or university pathways to support your child? • Would you prefer to educate your child at home? Do you have enough study space, resources and time to support your child in distance or home education? If in any doubt, don’t be afraid to arrange meetings with school principals, guidance officers or health professionals, like a speech or occupational therapist, who can talk you through the many options available to you and your child.
YOUR NEEDS AS A PARENT Some parents are happy to have a purely functional relationship with the school community, while others like to have a close involvement via committees or volunteering. Either way, you, as a parent, need to feel confident about the culture of the school and the ways in which the school communicates information with parents. Some ways to observe a school community in action include: • Reading the school’s newsletter. In some cases, these are available online; if not, simply request a copy. • Attending a Parents and Friends Committee (P & F) meeting. • Attending any Open Day events, school fetes or arts festivals. • Visiting the school website for official information, but also looking for Facebook pages that may provide insight into day-to-day announcements or upcoming events. No one knows your child better than you. Choosing the ‘right’ school means considering their particular needs and abilities, whether the school has the appropriate support available for your child and practical considerations for your family. Research is the key to feeling confident about your choice and setting your child on the right path to a bright future.
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