[Spring Bee]

Have you had any experience with these schools? Can you tell me anything about them?

Trying to toss up the pros & cons for each (Prep next year) & it's doing my head in!!!!

[Mumma3]

I don't know the schools you mention, but I am fairly sure that Mowbray teaches the IB PYP, MYP & diploma program. Having experienced this approach to teaching and learning I would choose Mowbray simply on that basis!

[howdoyoudoit]

Bacchus Marsh Grammar is a much better school than Mowbray. We live in the area and so many parents complain about the school.....I dont know the price difference's etc but Mowbray to us is a want to be private school...not a real one IMO...then again we go to the state school and its great

[Oriental lily]

I live in Melton and the rumour is that mowbray, both campuses are closing down. It's a shame as its probably one of the few no religious independent schools in outer western melbourne.

[****lisa****]

I live in Melton and have friends whose kids go to Mowbray and the Patterson Campus looks like it wont be open next year. No idea on the Caroline Springs one and if it has the financial troubles like the Melton one but seeing they are both combined i cant see why it wouldnt. It is a sad state of affairsto see Mowbray if it closes. Everything was fine until they opened the CS one and then all the funds went to that one and according to the parents the Melton one went to sh*te.
Ive heard great reports about BMG, i have friends with their kids going there and i was only chatting to a friend the other day she has her son on the waiting list for prep next year. It is much harder to get into than Mowbray and a lot cheaper too after seeing the fees, its just a bit more exclusive and unless you are a sibling and already have a place waiting for you it is pretty hard to get a spot.

[coolbreeze]

We live in Ballarat and a few of my dd class mates travel down the highway from Baccus Marsh and Melton everyday.
I have heard the rumour re Mowbray as well.
CB

This post has been edited by coolbreeze: 11/05/2012, 09:56 PM

[JuliaGulia]

BMG isn't religious at all. They were struggling for room a bit due to enrolments increasing but I think they're invested a fair bit in building.

[mmk]

I think you'll be too late for BMG next year unfortunately! There's 3 applicants for every spot, so if you want to be considered I'd be getting your application in asap. It looks like a good school and is our first choice for DS (though not holding our hopes up to get a spot!) There's no composites, they've got advanced classes and extra help classes, plus they have VCAL/VET programmes but still manage to get fantastic results - which is important to us considering we don't know how DS will fare at school... We were definitely impressed with it so it would be worth considering.

My opinions on Mowbray are tainted from when I was a kid, and we didn't even consider sending DS there.

Another school that might interest you is Westbourne Grammar in Tarneit. They certainly get good marks there, but for us we thought that there was too much pressure on the kids. If they're not up to the standard then they'll have meetings with you but it was pretty much spelt out that the child is recommended/forced to leave. She didn't say that, but it was the way that it was conveyed that led us to believe that they'd do it. Certainly too much pressure for what we want for DS and totally opposite to the vibe we got from BMG. Their prep class (in March!) was playing a game that had them counting up to at least 100 around the circle which I thought was good for little kids. Their grade 2 class was learning an English rule that I'd not heard of, but it made sense - to do with how many vowels and how many syllables. The standard seemed pretty high. If you're looking around I'd at least have a look there - on paper it sounds like a fantastic school, but it just isn't what we want for DS.

Whatever you decide though, do it quickly. They'll be pretty close to cutting off applications and you don't want to be missing out.

[Spring Bee]

Thank you everyone. Our names are down at both Privates & have been excepted into Mowbray but need to make a decision very soon. I doubt we will get into Bacchus Marsh and I worry about the long journey to & from school in the early years being too much for them.

That is interesting about Mowbray closing. I have been reading up on it and all the comments in the local paper made by parents seem to think Melton will close at the end of this year but Caroline Springs is not in debt and will remain open. Hmmmm.... hard to know what to make of that!

Very, very hard to find out ANY info on the local Public School (Brookside). The school itself is not very forthcoming with information either and the gum chewing receptionist has kind of put me off already!!!

[Sambambino]

Another option to look at is Overnewton, there are campuses in Keilor and Taylors Lakes, my children are at Keilor and we love the community spirit, the warmth of ALL of the staff, the facilities, the wonderful learning environment of the new Junior School, the inclusive open policy...it is an Anglican school and so based on Christian values but very welcoming and open to all cultures, religious backgrounds, chidren with additional needs etc.