[Soccer Mum]

What about local high school for years 7-9 and private school for years 10-12, or even 9-12? This is what we are considering. That way you won't have too many school fees to pay at the same time. They will get the benefits of getting to know some shakers and movers, careful attention for their year 12, and you can escape the full cost.

Am I the only one who finds the above post a bit offensive?
My brother and I went to a low socioeconomic area public school, one of the worst in our state in fact, but he managed to finish a PHD from OXFORD in half the time it normally takes and now flies all over the world as an academic.... but I guess he's not a 'mover and shaker' because he didnt go to private school

In all seriousness though, I think kids from public schools can do very well but they have to work harder and put up with more bs from other students, incompetent teachers, no facilities, etc. But as my brother's example shows it totally depends on the kid.

[Kylie Orr]

I agree with you Soccer Mum. I replied to that comment in post #22 - I'd taken issue with the "movers and shakers" component, specifically.

Interestingly, when I worked in recruitment, the high school someone went to was IRRELEVANT to me. I wanted to know what their career history was, what their references said about them, how they would fit in with a team environment, and whether they had a solid work ethic. If you get great grades, and therefore open lots of doors but prove to be a slack a*se and a pain in the rear to work with, nobody will hire you. Well, not in my experience. Whether you move in the right circles or not, if you can't hold your own, you will not get far.

[**Mel**]

Soccer Mum, you cannot seriously take offense at someone saying only private schools have movers and shakers and then turn around and say that at public school one has to put up with incompetent teachers!

Honestly, it's laughable

[red2012]

I think it's so highly dependent on your child and the catchment area you live in. We are not at that point yet but like most parents have already discussed it. We will be doing a combination of both. We live in a great area so will go public for primary but it will definitely be private for high school. But saying that, even on one income we have the luxury of being able to afford it, I don't think you should kill yourselves for it.

The 'movers and shakers' comment is ridiculous for us it's more about the fact we have the option and the enviroment our kids are going to be in.

DF parents did the whole three jobs thing so he could go private and I went public, we both did very well and went to university. In DF's case he would have done well either way I think. Saying that I do think you have to work harder in the public system and be more dedicated as a student, though I had some wonderful teachers over the years, you really have to want it when you're in the public system. There are some great public schools out there but also some not so great ones.