Where are you heading for your high school years? Different schools offer different opportunities and have impact on what post school choices are available, after the final day of term.

High School education in Australia starts in Year 5 or 8 and continues until year 12. The current leaving age for each state differs: 16 yrs for Western Australia, 15 yrs for the Northern Territory, 15 yrs for New South Wales, 16 yrs for Tasmania, 16 yrs for Victoria, 15 yrs for Queensland and 16 yrs for South Australia.

Students wanting to sit their final exams in year 12 if they want to continue into higher education, such as University.

Public (State) High schools are free and places are typically given
to the children that live in the same or surrounding suburbs as the school.

Private schools are categorized either by religion: Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran etc. or are academic schools: Boys/Girls’ Grammar. There is also a range of other co-education and boarding schools available Australia wide.  

Private school fees range from 2000$AU per year to 15 000$AU. To ensure a place at a private school, it is important to put your name on the waiting list early. Some children are signed up for their high schools at birth! The private schools do have their own criteria when allocating places, for example the family being members of the parish/or of the same religion as the school.

Scholarship places are offered, some are an exam, and others are on merit or talent. Beware! In some cases there are yearly exams which need to be passed each year to secure the continued scholarship
bursary.

Both state and private schools do offer fairly similar subjects however, some schools do tend to lean toward academic learning whilst others offer more vocational and practical classes. Second languages are typically Asian languages.

How do they work toward each child reaching his/her own potential?
Most schools aim to cater for all types of learners and abilities.
Discipline and strictness varies, some schools are by definition the ‘tough’ schools.  

What differentiate schools are the unique cultures, philosophies, learning environments and facilities, especially sports and computer facilities.  

Typically there is a tendency for schools to rely on parent participation: help with tuck shop, excursions and fund raising, in some cases, for even some basics equipment such as air conditioning.

Parents also do need to equip their children with uniforms, sports kits, books and lunch.

Schools are typically resourceful and can point you in the right direction if your children have adjustment difficulties, learning difficulties, behavioural adjustment issues or you need more family help.