[credence]

Interestingly, it's the local state school that has the reputation for being snobby (high percentage of kids who are multi-generational residents of the suburb -- a lot of cliquey-ness).

You don't live in my suburb do you?

As a newcomer to the suburb, two years ago, I'm getting a bit tired of the cliques at our school - and it's exactly as you describe, multi-generational residents ruling the school and not even giving us blow ins a look in when it comes to decision making or the good positions on committees.

I'm just hoping that DS get's into a lovely private school next year that accepts boys from far and wide. A bit of diversity wouldn't go astray.

[glasnost]

My brothers and I went to "prestige" private schools and while I would say that most families were lovely there is a lot of inadvertent snobbishness. By that I mean that most families that can afford to send their children there are very well off and can afford for do a lot of things that a poorer family can't, not necessarily to show off but just because they can and want the best for their families. They can afford to buy nicer cars, go on expensive family holidays, send their children away on the optional holiday activities like ski trips etc. If you don't come from a family with pots of money you can feel like the odd one out.

I remember the mums who organised our school formal were really wealthy and we had this super fancy thing at a posh hotel in the city. I know that my parents really struggled to find the cash to buy my ticket and they had to borrow money from my gran to buy my dress. They didn't want me to know but I did and felt really guilty.

I would say that most families at my school were rich but also really lovely.

[*LucyE*]

I think it depends on perspectives.

I don't think our school is particularly snobby but others probably do.

I was organizing a baby shower for a fellow parent at our school and invited a friend whose children attending a different school. She was concerned about how she would be received by all the X school's parents. The fact was, the other parents didn't care about postcodes, cars or handbags. We were together to celebrate an impeding birth.

[2bundles]

I have one at private and one public. I don't notice any difference in the parent groups. Both are mostly working to give their kids good opportunities. European cars prevail at both, but noone ever comments on who has which car.

[SlinkyMalinki]

I think it depends on the school.

Ours certainly isn't but i know when we lived in Brisbane there was a private girls school that we knew of children being left out because their parents didn't drive a certain brand of car, or live in a certain area etc. So yeah it does happen. But it probably happens in all schools to an extent, maybe it can be more exaggerated in some private schools.

Would you mind sharing what school that was? PM is fine

[lsolaBella]

Really, really depends on the school.

My kids attend a small private school in an upscale suburb (not ours ;-), and it's very chill/welcoming/down to earth. What few snobs there are really stand out as not being the norm!

Interestingly, it's the local state school that has the reputation for being snobby (high percentage of kids who are multi-generational residents of the suburb -- a lot of cliquey-ness).

We are just at the Local Catholic one ATM, but speaking to those who have kids at the Public school, they seem to have more snobbery. That also makes sense as the Local Catholic school has a slightly lower and more diverse socio economic scales compared to the public school which is wealthier, and the catholic school is actually more ethnically diverse (stats from MY schools).


As for the Private private schools, like Pp have said it can depend on the year. Also who you are in contact with.

[Frockme]

I've found the local state school far more competitive and cliquey. I've found no snobiness and no competitive parents at private high school. Only parents who bend over backwards to help out with car pooling to sports or whatever. Super generous when you consider this is sydney and Saturday morning sports means hours in the car.
Love our school!

No one hangs out at school gates though. that's so primary school