[nicole081]

Hoping to be able to ask for some assistance in picking a primary school for DD next year.

She’s currently at the ELC at IGGS and LOVES it. I think it’s been fantastic for her but do cringe and some of the attitudes of the “clone mums” (don’t work, put down the decision of other mum’s to work, birthday parties that are just beyond believing etc).

I’m torn as to what to do for prep next year….whether to keep her at IGGS, or to send her to Ivanhoe PS for prep – yr4 and then back to IGGS at yr 5. Both schools are really close to home so distance doesn’t factor in.

My pro/con list is currently:
IGGS:
Pro:
•she’s already in and settled and would be going to school with kids she knows
•better facilities
•smaller class sizes
•good school/results
•Not subject to teacher industrial action
Cons:
•Very narrow exposure to the “real” world (ie. Don’t particularly want DD thinking that the privilege associated with the girls at IGGS is “normal”)
•Fees – while affordable if we chose Ivanhoe PS that would be an additional $26k per year (taking into account DD2) to spend on “life experiences” like travel etc

Ivanhoe PS:
Pro:
•Local, give her a “grounding” in the local community (and she’d be going with two other kids in our street)
•good school/results
Cons:
•Large class sizes (a neighbour’s DD is in a yr one class with 27 students)
•Subject to the teacher industrial action (ie. No comments on reports, supposedly no outside of 38hr week activities like camps, excursions etc).

Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions of anyone with children at either primary school.

[JillianB]

Go state for primary and then go back to IGGS.

My daughter just finished there this year. Great school. Great teachers.
Having looked at all the girls who went through to year 12, those who came in years 5, 6 and 7 did just as well, if not better than those who'd been there from the start.

From Year 7 on, there's a good mix of girls from state and private - so while there is still a fair bit of money about and a few of those stay at home mothers, they don't form the majority by a long stretch.

Save your money. The strike will be over before you know it and you'll have your comments on reports.

(I sent my kids to private school from the start - in hindsight, I think that for primary it was largely a waste of money).