[half_pint]

Hi,
My husband has just submitted our EOI & we're hoping to get to Auckland early Jan'08.
We have a 13 yr old son & an 11 yr old son & we like the look of Macleans College & BBI. I'd be really grateful for any feedback from anyone who's children go to either of these schools.
(This is a fantastic forum & a mine of information. We couldn't have completed our EOI without it!!)
Thank you.

[swissmissdesigner]

I emailed to this school several times in May, but didn't get any response..
Sorry, I can't help!

[jubjub]

Have a search for posts by "Gil", her children go to these schools, she has posted quite a lot of info about them.

[gil]

Hi there, Gil here! And yes, I have a daughter at Macleans and a son at BBI. What would you like to know? Gil

[half_pint]

Thanks for your quick replies.
Hi Gil, I really like the look of both schools & it would be great to find out what you feel about the schools, having a child in each. Are they happy? Are you happy with the schools? Does the 'house' sytem work well at Macleans & does it matter which house your child goes into?
Hope you don't mind me bombarding you with these questions!! We looked at a few other schools during our reccy to Auckland but Macleans & BBI were the 2 schools my boys liked the most.

[gil]

Hi half_pint,
The answer is yes, we are very happy with both schools. If you search Macleans on the forum, you'll see some general comments I have made before, so I won't repeat all of that.
To answer your questions specifically, the whanau system at Macleans works well, it gives a more "intimate" feel to what would otherwise be a very large school. As far as I can tell, there is not a "best" house, although Snell is known for more sporting prowess and Te Kanawa is slightly more "arty". Hillary is popular simply because it's in the middle of the school site. (Not so far to walk to classes!) All the teachers are attached to a house and take activities within them.
BBI is lovely, with great pastoral care for the kids (also Macleans is excellent in this respect). The grounds are fabulous at both schools and there is plenty of outdoor and sporting activity. Aacdemic side is strong at both too and plenty of support for those who need it.
Macleans is incredibly strict compared to our experience of UK schools these days and that's a good thing in our view.

All in all, we think both schools are great!

All the best,

Gil

[alan999]

First let me say that Macleans is an excellent school, I have a daughter there who started July this year.

As a family we are very strict with our children, one of the plusses for coming down here but the discpline is a very different style to the UK. Being a year 12 and just got great results in her AS results she has had to adapt quickly to the school and retake her exams for Cambridge International (having no summer holiday either), so it has been tough for her. When we had our interview before she started my ears pricked up when we were told that "another little girl" was starting at the same time as Laura. Our "little girl" is 17 and has been used to being treated as an adult for a few years now and likens the type of discipline to being at primary school. She is told when to sit, told when to stand, told where to eat address the teachers as Sir/ Miss. I've no issue about this, I prefer it but I feel most 17 year olds would not be able to adapt. Starting earlier in the system as your children would I see it as a positive. They turn out very confident and mature young people well adjusted to face the next stage of their lives.

Two facets of this juvenile level of discipline have caused most trouble. The first is that the students have a level of humour far below what we would expect of 17 year olds. Making rude noises results in peels of laughter normally left behind at junior school in the UK and when this is directed at you it's hard to see the funny side. On a more serious note in the UK study time is when the students brainstorm and pull one another along. It creates competition between them and often continues into the classroom with the subject being taught more like a discussion between the students and teachers. It gives momentum to learning and I feel is the best way for the more able to learn their subjects, for the less able or unwilling it is also an opportunity be be disruptive and if there are 1 or 2 of these then there becomes pressure for the more able to stop co-operating and keep their heads down.

At Macleans you sit and are taught. There is no two way banter. In the study times there is silence. No chance to pool ideas and pull one another along. And with no friends there is no opportunity to ask peers at any other time.

So sorry to ramble, in a nutshell starting earlier in the system is the best way, starting later as Laura did may cause problems depending how willing the individual is to let go their adult status. Discipline is good, but I wish it wasn't as juvinile for the older ones.

Given the merits of a UK or NZ education, NZ every time. If you need any more details just ask.

Alan

[half_pint]

Thank you so much for your replies Gil & Alan. It is great to get your feedback - you both obviously care & take a great interest in your children's education. Have you found that the Whanau System at Macleans hinders the children from making friends/socialising with those in other houses? From our visit to the school, the Whanau system appeared to give a 'small school' feel but, I'm worried that this may remove the 'large school' advantages of greater social interaction. Rebecca

[alan999]

The system doesn't stop making friends outside your house, but ensures that you are around familiar people on a regular basis which might help in the earlier weeks.
As for making friends I think the best way is for the student to start at the beginning of their school year before social groups have formed, starting midway through the year means that breaking into these circles can be difficult.
The system isn't unique, the sixth form colleges and universities in the UK that my children have attended all have their own version of it.

[gil]

I agree with what Alan has said. My daughter has friends in other houses too. And it is easier if you start younger in the system.

BBI does a good job of preparing the pupils for College, too. They spend a lot of time on developing the skills required to research ideas, use creative thinking techniques, structure an argument, provide feedback to peers and other things that we had not experienced in the schools our children attended in Cardiff (and they were all very good schools, in our opinion.)

Anyway, if you have any other questions, please ask.

Gil

[half_pint]

Thanks again Alan & Gil. The secondary school that my eldest currently attends works on a similar 'house' scheme although the houses are not physically seperated & they do tend to join together for various activities, which allows for more integration. I'm glad you are both finding the Maclean's sytem so positive. On the 'discipline', I am with you both in that I (& my husband) are strict about school responsibilities & work. However, it will be interesting to see how my eldest adapts to the lack of class discussions & 'brainstorming' as his current school uses these in many subjects particularly in humanities, drama & english. As you pointed out, Alan, effective discussions can be great, if well managed but, can lead to disruptive behaviour if not.
Our plan is to settle in NZ early Jan 2008 so that the boys can start their new schools at the beginning og the school year. But, we're reliant on the EOI/ITA process timings!
We want to settle in the Bucklands Beach area & will probably initially want to rent a house. Any advice about good/not so good roads, rental market, estate agents (in fact everything & anything!!!) would be much apprectiated.
Thanks again for you feedback.
Rebecca

[gil]

Just wanted to say that my daughter's experience at Macleans DOES include discussions, presenting viewpoints and thinking through questions as a class. She studies English, History French, Art, Maths and PE and seems to have plenty of interaction in these subjects.

Gil

[half_pint]

That's reassuring, Gil. Thanks for letting me know.
Rebecca