[northernfive]

Help!
I am running out of time to decide which of two primary schools to send my children to - as my eldest turns 5 in July we are getting closer and closer to having to make a final decision....but I just can't....
There are two excellent schools and both have a place for her, I have been to both and am very happy with both. One is a state school, decile 10, just down the road from our house (so brownie points for being within walking distance). The other is a catholic school,also decile 10, (we are catholic, but not regular church goers) and a few mintues drive.

So - has anyone else any advise on how to make the final decision when there really isn't anything negative to say about either.

Any advise would be great!
I keep putting off making the decision but time is against me now!!

[Tia Maria]

If they both appeal equally, then I'd go for the one within walking distance any day. Easy for play dates, or if you forget to send them in with lunch. Also if its got any playground facilities you'll be able to use them very easily at the weekend. They'll be able to practice riding scooter/bikes to school without having to go far.

I would have thought a religious and non religious school are going to have different a feel though. I assume time is put aside for various religious aspects and this time would be used differently by the other school. So maybe you have to decide how important religious education/involvement is to you.

It sounds like this is one of those good problems to have though! :D I had the same choice to make between two very good schools and in the end chose the one which I thought suited my son's personality better, but I'm convinced he would have been happy at both.

Cheers

Tia

[northernfive]

If they both appeal equally, then I'd go for the one within walking distance any day. Easy for play dates, or if you forget to send them in with lunch. Also if its got any playground facilities you'll be able to use them very easily at the weekend. They'll be able to practice riding scooter/bikes to school without having to go far.

I would have thought a religious and non religious school are going to have different a feel though. I assume time is put aside for various religious aspects and this time would be used differently by the other school. So maybe you have to decide how important religious education/involvement is to you.

It sounds like this is one of those good problems to have though! :D I had the same choice to make between two very good schools and in the end chose the one which I thought suited my son's personality better, but I'm convinced he would have been happy at both.

Cheers

Tia


Thanks Tia,
Had also thought about the walking distance being good - although my husband pointed out that as we live at the top of a VERY steep hill I'd probebly always end up using the car anyway!:yes

[shakyle2906]

I would go for the easy option - the one down the road!

Sharon
x

[Carey]

Definitely the one you can walk to, even if a steep hill going slowly having time to chat whilst walking is SO much better than going in car, gives good messages about not using petrol and you join up with other kids. Although we couldn't walk to school we used to park 1/2 mile away and walk; kids hated it at first but then did it out of choice and lots of other families copied us.

[peebles16]

As a Mum who walks her kid 2 kms a day to school I'd go for the one down the road :D Agree with Tia Maria though did you or your son/daughter get a gut feeling for either school?? I worked with a load of schools back in Scotland in my old job and some of the ones with the best reputations would never have 'felt' right for me or my kids but thankfully the one here in NZ does.

Also I know of friends in Wanganui who had to 'prove' a live/active connection with the catholic church to get their kids enrolled - don't know if it's them same all over but might be a factor for you..

All the best
Karenx

[Sam B]

Defo the walking option - much better for the environment and for friends nearby.

[TrentBridge]

Sorry to be a party pooper folks but I wouldn't discount the catholic school just because it's a car ride away.

I'm not catholic, but my OH and children are. Even though my OH is not a regular church goer as such it is always there for him. I see what he gets out of the church and I can honestly say that I can feel a bit jealous that I don't have it in my life. Daft or what!!

I just thought that the church is a good thing and I have welcomed the opportunity for my boys to be brought up in the catholic faith. Even though the are not regular church goers either, they have been to a catholic school and hopefully they will feel that the church will be there for them if they need it at any time in their lives.

As my OH is not a regular church goer it made it sort of more important for my children to get their 'catholic input' from school.

Just my opinion though. :uhoh

[Carol]

Definitely the one that "feels" right.
How much time have you spent in each school?
Have you been there on a Friday afternoon to observe?
Have you asked about policies like strategies for bullying etc?
How do they run their spelling/reading/homework programmes? Do they fit your expectations and lifestyle?
How much fundraising is done for the school? Are they hoping you are going to be very active in that direction? (high decile schools often need it badly!)
Do you know who the BOT members are for each school?
What is the staff turnover rates?

Quite sticky questions..... but not often asked.

[Tia Maria]

Definitely the one that "feels" right.
How much time have you spent in each school?
Have you been there on a Friday afternoon to observe?
Have you asked about policies like strategies for bullying etc?
How do they run their spelling/reading/homework programmes? Do they fit your expectations and lifestyle?
How much fundraising is done for the school? Are they hoping you are going to be very active in that direction? (high decile schools often need it badly!)
Do you know who the BOT members are for each school?
What is the staff turnover rates?

Quite sticky questions..... but not often asked.

Great questions Carol!

If the school has a website you can sometimes find the weekly newsletter on there, this can give you some insight into extra curricular activities as well as a feel for the overall attitude of the school.

Cheers

Tia