[Bozeman]

It looks like we will be moving to Christchurch in the near future. Can't predict what will happen but we would like to set ourselves up for the long-term. Our #1 concern is the education of our two boys, ages three and four. Assuming money is no object (which I wish was really the case), where is the best place to live in Christchurch from a school zone - primary and secondary - standpoint?

Many thanks!

[saffer01]

Sheesh....I wish there were a whole lot of replies to this post, as this is exactly the question that I need answered.

Anyone?

[SharpBlade]

Hi there,
I think it is hard to pin point the perfect location in Chch because there are good schools dotted all around the place. It really depends on the sort of education you are looking for, and also the sort of environment.
We live on the edge of St Martins/Beckenham and our chidren go to Thorrington School. We are very happy with that school, it is a great place, I wish I could go to school too. Around here, there is also Beckenham school, Rudolf Steiner, St Peters, HillView, etc etc.. some catholic some not. Again, Rudolf Steiner is probably very different from other schools but it might be what you want. Our neighbours attend that school and they are certainly very well balanced kids, really good company and just very nice.
Our secondary School would be Cashmere High, I think there was a thread about it a while ago.
For us, it is working because we are close to everything that matters to us (school, amazing library, Port hills and work is not far either).
Good luck, Laura

[Andy-Dee]

We were recommended to view Thorrington and we liked it too, great people there and very impressed with the Head and his outlook - but - we don't have a whole lot else to compare it too.

I personally don't like the Rudolf Steiner school of teaching but its personal preference.

[Red Devil]

... just what we're starting to look into for our 5 year old son and our hopeful move to Christchurch :roll

Look forward to more comments, opinions and recommendations.

[Bozeman]

Since I submitted that original post we have been to Christchurch and have checked out many (primary) schools. We limited our visits to decile 9 and 10 schools (you can argue the merits of that approach but we remain convinced that high decile schools will tend to have a greater degree of parental involvement, etc.). Actually, we liked all of the schools we visited but were probably most impressed (by a small degree) by Avonhead and Westburn. Fendalton, Ilam, Cashmere and Elmwood also all came across as excellent schools and we wouldn't hesistate to send our kids to any of them. Though we didn't visit, I suspect that other primary schools such as Merin and Russley are in the same class.

We didn't look at secondary schools and we didn't look at private schools. Although we would not hesitate to spend money on a private school if we thought it would benefit our boys, we do not currently see the benefit. In fact, we're not so sure that we agree with the kind of attitude that a private schoold like Medbury apparently tries to instill.

We move to Christchurch today (I'm up early in a quiet house) and will be shopping for a rental house in a zone that matches up with the schools mentioned above.