![]() Education Matters showcases informative, educational videos and webinars on topics that matter to the school sector including technology, professional development, curriculum and health and wellbeing.Australian Secondary Principals Association.Australian Primary Principals Association.A good school is one where your child is safe, feels like they belong and can participate in a rich learning environment. If families do have a choice about schooling – noting that many do not – remember the value of a school is not just about how they rate on a website. It can also be easy to get caught up by marketing campaigns used during “open day” season, when schools (including public ones) compete for new enrolments and tout their academic achievements, programs and co-curricular offerings. For example, low-fee independent schools can struggle to meet basic resourcing for students, while government schools in affluent areas can generate substantial funds through voluntary parent contributions, fundraising and ventures such as outside school care and school canteens. It’s not always the case of a super-rich private school versus an impoverished public school, either. But while families obviously need to make their own choices, research shows students’ performance at school is largely based on their socioeconomic background rather than whether they went to a private or public school. There is a demand for a diverse range of schools that provide different programs, philosophies and structures for young people. When thinking about schools, make sure you ask your child what they want. Over the same period, an additional 47,657 students enrolled in government schools – so this is hardly an exodus. It is important to look at the actual figures here.īetween 20, an additional 71,388 students enrolled in Australian independent schools. There are news stories about an “exodus” of students from the public system to private schools. School choice is taking place in a highly pressurised and ongoing debate in Australia. What do the NAPLAN test changes mean for schools and students? You can also ask other parents why they send their children to a particular school. For example, are they very interested in a particular sports or arts program at one school? Is going to school in their local area important? Where are their friends going? Parents should make sure they ask their children what they want from a school or where they might like to go. Attending school open days and parent information evenings can also provide a useful source of information about the community and culture of the school. There is simply no substitute for visiting a school, speaking to teachers and school leaders, and getting information about their programs and resources. How can you get a sense of quality?Ī good school for your child is the one where they feel like they belong, are seen and heard by their teachers and peers, and where they are challenged by a curriculum that connects them to new ideas and ways of thinking about the world. In short, parents should not read too much into NAPLAN results and My School information. ![]() My School does not give direct information about school culture, community connections and values, which are all important considerations when thinking about what makes for a “good” school. Meanwhile, NAPLAN results do not necessarily tell you anything about the quality of a school and its teachers. This includes detrimental impacts on staff morale and student wellbeing. On top of this, substantial concerns remain about the value of NAPLAN altogether. While My School actively discourages the use of its data to generate league tables, media reporting often does precisely this. However, there is no doubt “high performing” schools are singled out for media coverage via the My School database and through their NAPLAN results. My School is aimed at making schools ‘accountable’ to parents.
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