[Nicole-Bris]

My DS starts school next year and I haven't yet booked him in anywhere. To be honest I don't really know what to do. Do I ask the principal to have a look around and about there school program, do schools have open days closer to the time they start or do I have to stand at the front gate and just ask the parents what they think? We live in Fitzgibbon and there is quite a few schools in our area so how do I go about finding the best school for my son. Anybody have any suggestions?

[enzanite]

Hi, I am not in Brisbane but when looking for a school for my eldest I rang the schools and asked if they had an information pack (some do some dont for primary school - did same for high school as he started grade 8 this year!!)... If they didnt have any information they could send out they often said you are welcome to come and look around and talk to someone about your needs and wants etc... The school I chose was great for my son and he spent yr 1 to 7 there without a drama (few people I knew had problems but nothing that couldnt be fixed)!

I would start now if you have the time... principals and teachers change so they might be the same next year but you will get the feel of the place!!

Good luck!

Trish

[~Sine~]

To be honest I would ring all the schools ask for a starting school info pack (most schools have them especially with prep also starting next year). That way you can go thru and decide which one you like. They also usually have an info morning and an orientation day so you could go along too them also and that way you and your son will have a good feel for each of the schools. I would also whenever you bump into other mums at the supermarket or parents room (etc) ask their opinion! I too will have this dilemma for highschool in the next year or so, I know NOTHING about highschools! Hope this helps!

[Mum23girls]

as per above, but also ask about catchment area's/boundaries. If you live within a boundary you won't have problems, but I know most schools are limiting their area's!! I would do it straight away though. They would be taking enrollments now (I think!)!! I have had to already enrol DD2 for prep in 2008!!!

[Nicole-Bris]

Thanks for your replies, they are a huge help. I didnt even know that information packs existed, so I will definitely be following that up. I know that I've been slack so thanks again.

[brizbabe]

Hi Nicole-alot of the primary schools (both state and private) do have open days-often in the sept / oct period so you can go and have a look around and speak to the teachers etc

[Consciente]

I would definately look around ASAP, even if it's just to walk around or hang out near the school at pick up time to get a feel for it. I didn't do enough research with my oldest DS and regreted it, the damage a bad school can do to a child is very difficult to reverse .

[LouiseT]

You may already be too late for some schools - not trying to stress you out, but make you aware that you will need to get your name down at more than one if the one you want has already met its quota.

Good luck!