AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL CURRICULUM

[tinytot]

Hi Dax

Many thanks for your posts about the schooling . We are looking at settling in Adelaide when we come across, more specifically we would like to stay in Seaford Rise. I am wondering what the Seaford Rise High School is like. We have 2 boys, one which is currently in high school (Grade 9), and the other joining him next year (currently Grade 7) who both love their cricket at school. I wonder on what your thought of this school is?

Thanks again.

Regards

tinytot

[Dax]

Hi Dax

Many thanks for your posts about the schooling . We are looking at settling in Adelaide when we come across, more specifically we would like to stay in Seaford Rise. I am wondering what the Seaford Rise High School is like. We have 2 boys, one which is currently in high school (Grade 9), and the other joining him next year (currently Grade 7) who both love their cricket at school. I wonder on what your thought of this school is?

Thanks again.

Regards

tinytot

Hi tinytot,

Here's a link to the website for the school you mentioned. read through it and let me know if you have more questions.

Seaford 6 - 12 High School

Remember, in Australian state schools sport ingeneral is not a school-organised thing, kids play their sport at clubs in the community. In practise (like at the school where I teach), sports like football, cricket, betball etc. are organised and coached by parents and they use the school facilities for it.

Cheers,

Dax

[tinytot]

Hi tinytot,

Here's a link to the website for the school you mentioned. read through it and let me know if you have more questions.

Seaford 6 - 12 High School

Remember, in Australian state schools sport ingeneral is not a school-organised thing, kids play their sport at clubs in the community. In practise (like at the school where I teach), sports like football, cricket, betball etc. are organised and coached by parents and they use the school facilities for it.

Cheers,

Dax

Hi Dax

Thanks for the link .......had a quick look and will show the wife and kids in the morning. Looks like a decent school. Wished they had more photos though. What is nice, you can see the whole cirriculum and what subjects they can choose from year 10. Seems allot more hands and more focused on the different areas of science and technology as compared to here where its a more "general". I will definatly put this one on the visiting list when the time comes. Oh yes, about the sport, I did a bit more research last night and found that the sports were more a club based activity - thanks for that. Looks like they have 2 or 3 cricket pitches on the aerial photo so cricket must be rather well supported in South Adelaide .

Appreciate the quick reply.

Regards

tinytot

[venom79]

Dear all

I am new around here but will also be a new ozzie soon. I need some advice on schools, more specific, the ESL Program.

Is there any one who knows more about this program and how can I enroll my 3 children in schools supporting this program? I have heard that currently in WA there's only 7 schools supporting the ESL Program.

Hope to hear from anyone soon

Leo

[Dax]

I'm surprised that there are only 7 schools in WA supportive of ESL (English as a second language) programmes. I would suggest that you Google the WA Education Department and see what exactly its policies Re ESL are.

I can speak only for South Australia, and here all schools to a lesser or larger extent support students in respect of ESL. However, due to specific needs, some schools have developed some specialist skills/programmes for ESL.

DAX

[Auscaz]

Hi all

I have a few more questions re the schools/curriculum.

First of all, what are the class sizes like in public schools? As you know in RSA we follow an outcomes-based curriculum of which one pillar is also constructivist theory as Dax indicated. Although we should make more use of formative assessment, it's just not doable because of the large class sizes. The continuous assessment, recording and reporting of 40+ learners in one class have become a nightmare to teachers! Do you experience the same challenges in Oz or do you have support systems in place?

Also, do kids have to write an entrance exam when they want to go to university or do they also gain sort of university exemption on the basis of their year 12 marks?

Thanks, it would be interesting to know!

Sonja

In Queensland, most public schools will not have more than 25 kids in a class, although many operate on a similar system to Uni in that they have a form class for core subjects such as English, but may split up whereby some go to French classes, others to German etc and then perhaps regroup for Maths or Biology .Hope you get the picture! In grade 10, students choose the subjects that they will study for grade 11 and 12. University entrance for school leavers is based on their Grade 12 marks only and depends on which Uni they want to go to and what course they want to apply for. You will get a better idea of what I mean if you check out the QTAC website (Google QTAC), which applies to Queensland. eg if you want to do Veterinary Science, you will need an OP 1 or 2 for a government subsidised place, but an OP3-4 for a full fee paying place in the course. As a mature age student, different criteria apply and many things such as life and vocational experience, tertiary courses completed etc will be considered.

I am not a teacher, just a mother for the purposes of this question!

Carol