[Polarbearmum]

My oldest child is due to start HS in 2015, so now is the time to seriously start thinking about high schools - it's only just over a year that we need to sort out enrolments as this usually occurs in June / July the year before. It has always been a choice between Trinity Christian and Mackillop for us. We will be doing the open days and talking to the Principals and other school reps etc but I'd like to get feedback from parents as well on what they have heard about these two schools. My main concerns are:

My son is gifted in Maths (and a few other subjects) but has had social difficulties in the past (he's a little on the quirky side but a gentle, quiet boy). He has a good small group of friends at his current school but things always seem to change in High School and this worries me very much. So he will possibly need to be extended in some areas of the curriculum but the school will also need to have a strong EFFECTIVE policy on bullying and assisting kids with making friends etc.

I worry about MacKillop being on two separate campuses. Does this mean there are a huge number of kids in each year at this school?

I have heard very good things about the Principal at MacKillop but not much about the new guy at Trinity.

I have no problem with the religion but have heard mixed reports about the religion being intrinsic in some of the curriculum at Trinity. As an example they don't teach evolution in science only creationism. This may be all heresay and total rubbish of course.

His best friend (his only true real friend) is going to Trinity - according to his Mum. I want him to be with his best friend as he does have trouble making friends but I don't want this to be the only reason why I choose a school.

I really am torn as to which is the best school. I guess my priorities are for DS to be extended (if he needs it) in his school work but also for his social and emotional growth to be looked after as High School is so much different to Primary School.

For those who got past my rambling post thank you. All stories, tips, advice is most welcome.




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[Lickety Split]

I don't have experience with either school but I can say that the principal at MacKillop is absolutely fantastic (I knew him when he was the principal at his previous school). Based on him alone I would choose MacKillop.

[Polarbearmum]

I don't have experience with either school but I can say that the principal at MacKillop is absolutely fantastic (I knew him when he was the principal at his previous school). Based on him alone I would choose MacKillop.

Thanks Lickety Split. I've heard many great endorsements for him already.

Does anyone know how long Principals stay at the same High School for? I know they move them on at Primary school every seven years or so. Is it the same for High School or do they tend to stay longer there?

[Becca81]

A friend of mine moved her daughter from Mckillop to Trinity last year as the bullying was atrocious. We also had problems with Mckillop kids hitting my youngest on the bus and noone at the school was interested in helping as it was not on school premesis or during school hours.

Friends daughter is loving Trinity. Their fees are on a sliding scale so the less you earn the less you pay in fees, obviously more you earn more you pay and I can't justify those fees for that school.

My girls have just moved from Orana to Chisholm, which has extention programs for English, Maths and Science and they also have a couple of students who attend one of the big uni's for further extention.

We are on day 3 of school ( for the younger one) and we are doing well, she has real social issues.

Eldest started a few weeks before school ended last year, there were a few issues with other kids wanting to fight etc, but these kids were put in their place quick smart, she has made new friends and is really enjoying school.

The principal was more than happy to sit down and talk about our concerns etc before we enrolled. Discussing the requirements for extention work, as both girls just blitz through their work and get board if they are not challenged.

Hope this helps and good luck, I know how stressful it can be.

Ohh and over in Chisholm yr 6 is part of the high school, so the youngest was quite chuffed about going to High School early.

[Polarbearmum]

A friend of mine moved her daughter from Mckillop to Trinity last year as the bullying was atrocious. We also had problems with Mckillop kids hitting my youngest on the bus and noone at the school was interested in helping as it was not on school premesis or during school hours.

Friends daughter is loving Trinity. Their fees are on a sliding scale so the less you earn the less you pay in fees, obviously more you earn more you pay and I can't justify those fees for that school.

My girls have just moved from Orana to Chisholm, which has extention programs for English, Maths and Science and they also have a couple of students who attend one of the big uni's for further extention.

We are on day 3 of school ( for the younger one) and we are doing well, she has real social issues.

Eldest started a few weeks before school ended last year, there were a few issues with other kids wanting to fight etc, but these kids were put in their place quick smart, she has made new friends and is really enjoying school.

The principal was more than happy to sit down and talk about our concerns etc before we enrolled. Discussing the requirements for extention work, as both girls just blitz through their work and get board if they are not challenged.

Hope this helps and good luck, I know how stressful it can be.

Ohh and over in Chisholm yr 6 is part of the high school, so the youngest was quite chuffed about going to High School early.

Thanks Becca81. The bit about the bullying at Mackillop worries me a lot. It's funny I have heard a similar story from one other Mum so it does concern me to hear it from someone else as well. I really worry that DS will be an easy target for bullies as he gets older. I have looked at Trinity's fees and they are much more expensive than Mackillop though we would qualify for a fee discount based on income. This is such a tough decision and I wish I just had an instinct one way or the other which school to lean towards.

[~4's enough ...]

Bullies are at every school.

My son has just started at mackillop this year and so far so good. He is loving it and so far he likes all of his teachers.
The school do have a transition program for the new kids as the year groups are large (330 kids in year 7 alone this year) and that is also why there are the 2 campuses.

As for trinity, my niece and nephew go there and have since kindy and while they like it my sister in law thinks it could be a lot better especially when it comes to needing extra assistance.

My son catches the bus home and this bus is shared with trinity kids and so far the only kids he has had trouble with on the bus is the trinity ones.

All I can say is do your research, go to the open days and speak with the teachers. It's the only way you will be able to make the right decision.

HTH

[Polarbearmum]

Bullies are at every school.

My son has just started at mackillop this year and so far so good. He is loving it and so far he likes all of his teachers.
The school do have a transition program for the new kids as the year groups are large (330 kids in year 7 alone this year) and that is also why there are the 2 campuses.

As for trinity, my niece and nephew go there and have since kindy and while they like it my sister in law thinks it could be a lot better especially when it comes to needing extra assistance.

My son catches the bus home and this bus is shared with trinity kids and so far the only kids he has had trouble with on the bus is the trinity ones.

All I can say is do your research, go to the open days and speak with the teachers. It's the only way you will be able to make the right decision.

HTH

Are there really that many kids in year 7? Wow that's massive. I'm not sure I like that but I guess it covers a big chunk of southside. Is it the same in the other grades too do you know?