Public State Schools Guides & Resources

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What is a Public School?

Public schools offer free public education and are maintained at public expense or government-funded. Many public schools in the country provide education up to grade 12. Some public primary and high schools also offer preschool programs for young children called kindy. In addition, some may have as a class as well as a program designed especially for those with special needs such as hearing or learning disabilities. ## Choosing a public school Every school is different. Some may focus on academic excellence, others on music or sport. Some may offer the International Baccalaureate, some focus on technology or social studies. State schools aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for their students whilst giving them the opportunity to learn new skills and excel in an array of subjects. The location of a school can also play a large role in deciding where your child will go to school. If you are interested in a particular public school it is best to do some initial research into what courses they teach and whether they have any specific programs or features that might assist your child's development. ## Public vs private school A [private school](/guides/private-schools/what-is-a-private-school) may be better known by having selective entry based on testing performed throughout primary school. In addition, many private schools usually offer smaller class sizes and more individual attention with a better student-teacher ratio. Though parents may have to pay higher fees for private school education. Public schools, unlike private schools are funded by the federal government, however, the quality of education may vary between different public schools within Australia. If you're considering a public school for your children's education, it is important to remember that all schools within Australia must provide quality standards. The Australian curriculum aims to challenge and engage students of all abilities by providing them with the skills they need to achieve their goals; both in life and work. It offers opportunities for young Australians to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. A great resource is the [Department of Education, Skills and Employment](https://www.dese.gov.au/), a website designed specifically with parents in mind giving the latest news on education updates from across the country as well as general information about preschools, primary and secondary schooling. It also includes helpful resources such as lesson plans, education videos and much more. ## Are there any religious public schools? There are several public and private schools in Australia that are faith-based. These schools can be Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian or any other faith-based school around the country. The allocation of students to these schools is done by the individual state's education department depending on where you live. If you are interested in your child attending a religious public school, it is best to contact the education department of that state for further information. ## What fees do I have to pay at public school? Public schools receive their funding from the government and are free for students to attend, [unlike private schools](/guides/private-schools/private-school-costs-in-australia). However, some parents may choose to pay fees if they wish for their child to participate in things such as sport, drama or music outside of the regular school hours. Fees and scholarships will vary between public schools so it is best to check with the individual school before registering your interest. ## What sports can you play at public school? Many public schools throughout Australia have a wide variety of sports on offer. Some may have their own grounds and training facilities, while others may share with other schools in the area. In addition to regular sporting carnivals, many public school students also participate in state-wide tournaments in sports such as AFL or Rugby League. ## What are public schools like academically? Public schools vary between different states all over Australia. Some may be academically focused while others may offer vocational courses to students who are interested in exploring specific careers at a young age. Overall, public schools aim to provide students with a high-quality education that is suited for their personal learning needs and strengths. ## What are public schools like socially? Public school education aims to provide a supportive environment for its students to thrive within. Teachers, parents and other members of all communities work together to create an inclusive school community where every student knows they belong regardless of their race or background; encouraging diversity and acceptance. Public schools also offer a number of extracurricular activities that students can participate in such as music, sport and drama. ## What is primary school like? Primary school usually begins at 5 years of age and runs until 12 years of age. It's during this time that young Australians further their academic knowledge while also developing physical skills and emotional awareness through play-based learning. They will also start to learn about things such as social studies (e.g. history and geography) and science (e.g. simple experiments). Primary school teaching helps students by providing them with the skills they need to prepare them for high school education! If you are interested in attending primary school, it is important to remember that all schools within Australia must provide national quality standards for their educational programs. ## What is high school like? Secondary education typically begins at age 13 years of age is followed by college and university institutions. Depending on the state or the individual school, the end date will vary between students. High schools are focused on providing students with a stronger academic focus, often encouraging students to explore their interests further by engaging in hands-on learning opportunities that may include practical projects and research activities. This helps children prepare for future endeavours within their college and university. High schools students generally also have the choice to select their own courses such as mathematics, sciences or vocational training. Students are also provided with many opportunities for vocational development including VET (Vocational Education and Training) courses which teach them valuable skills for future careers. ## What is special education like? Special education works to give students with an impairment or learning difficulty the same opportunities as other children. The term 'impairment' refers to a condition that has ongoing consequences for a child's ability to learn. This can include things such as ADHD, deafness, blindness, intellectual disabilities and many more. While special schools were once popular across Australia, these have since been replaced by services that offer individualised programs that cater for the different needs and abilities of each student. ## What are some factors that determine what school you go to? When choosing which secondary schools you would like your child to go to, there are many things families must consider such as location, facilities and the school's reputation. Some of these factors may include the below. - Location - Facilities - Reputation - Quality of teaching ## Do you wear a uniform at public school? Every high school and some primary schools that are maintained through government funds within Australia require children to wear a uniform. While many think this practice is limiting, the benefits of wearing a uniform, both for those attending [public school or private school](/guides/public-state-schools/private-school-vs-public-school), can include the below. - Convenience. Having an outfit that works for every occasion means spending less time getting ready in the morning. - Community. Uniforms create a sense of belonging by uniting everyone from different backgrounds and communities within the same dress code. ## Where can I find the nearest public school to me? The location of each public school, college and university in Australia can be found on the [Department of Education website](https://www.dese.gov.au/). Simply type in your address and you will be able to see which local public school is located nearby in your city, as well as their contact information - including their physical address, phone number, email and website.

Private School vs Public School

A public school typically uses a government-assigned per capita based on the number of students to determine funding. The key difference between public and private schools is that public schools are government schools primarily supported by taxes while private schools are non-government schools primarily funded by the students who attend them. A private school receives funding from private organisations or individuals, so the money received depends on how many students enrol. ## Do private schools give better education? Are private schools better than public schools in terms of education? One of the key differences between public and private schools is their educational standards. Many parents believe that public schools provide a better education than private schools for their kids but everyone wants to give children the same high standard of education. Public school fees are also typically lower than those charged by private schools, so most families believe they can get more value for the additional cost they pay in a public school. A [private school](/guides/private-schools/private-school-costs-in-australia) tends to cost more than a local public school, but there are various types of benefits and advantages to having access to such schools. One of the main reasons why parents would place their children in independent schools is due to the fact that they believe these schools may provide a more active approach to religious education, extracurricular activities and personal development, professional development and a wider array of advanced placement courses for each class and every student. A public school is typically larger than a private high school, which often results in less individual attention for each student. Private school teachers are more attentive towards each student learning and to every child's interests. Whereas, teachers cannot keep an eye on every child's education in public schools because of the increased class sizes. ## Are private schools better than public schools? It's a little more complicated than saying that which is better between public vs private schools. The most important thing is how a family looks at it and what advantages or disadvantages there may be for private and public schools. However, knowing the pros and cons of public vs private school can help a family make a research-backed and informed decision in making the right school choice for their kids. There are some parents who believe [local public schools](/guides/public-state-schools/what-is-a-public-school) or state schools provide general education to all kids, while private schools and independent schools provide an option for those kids who need specialised attention. There are others who believe that public school teachers do not guarantee enough individual attention for students due to their large size compared with a private school which typically has smaller student populations and therefore fewer students per class. This allows the teachers to pay extra attention to each child's interests and test scores. This is why some parents will place their child in a private school because they think they can get better academic scores and supervision from teachers and staff members when needed. Whereas, with its public counterparts, parents may feel like their children are lost in the mix with hundreds of other students. It's hard to say which one school is better public or private school because it's all about preference and opinion. It really depends on what kind of attention your kids need when they are being educated, how much cost you are able to pay out-of-pocket, where you live geographically (urban vs rural), etc. Not only that but depending on your socio-economic status, religious background or even political views can also affect what kind of school you believe best fits the needs of your family/child. There are many private schools that offer extracurricular activities, scholarships and free opportunities for those who need them so, if you can't spend more money on education, don't be discouraged by the cost of private high schools. There are many ways to make sure your child gets what they need educationally without breaking the bank. Get creative and be persistent. ## What are the disadvantages of private schools? Although there are many benefits to attending private school, there are also some disadvantages. The main disadvantage would be the cost associated with private schooling. The vast majority of private school generally has higher tuition fees than public school. Some parents believe that this is an unfair advantage for kids who can afford to attend private school compared with those who cannot afford it and must go to a public school instead. This can create huge socio-economic differences because children from a rich family could easily get better education without any extra help - while the ones from a middle or poor class family may not be able to do so. This kind of discrimination makes children feel insecure about them being 'lesser' in some way which can have a bad impact on their future life as well as society in general. ## Do private school students do better? That's the million-dollar question. On a broad spectrum, it can be said that private education definitely provides more opportunities for their students to excel in their field as compared to the [public school system](/guides/public-state-schools/what-is-a-public-school). There are many factors that make private school kids look better on paper. Research suggests that one of the most important things, why students from a private school do better, is because private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and a faster learning rate due to a stricter system of education. Teachers can keep a close eye on every student's progress and provide individual attention whenever necessary whereas public school teachers cannot do so because they teach dozens or even hundreds of students at once which is already hard enough without the extra trouble. ## What is a scholarship? A scholarship is a form of financial aid for students to get free money to cover the costs of education, such as tuition at their college or university. Scholarships can be provided by colleges themselves or outside organizations/individuals who want to contribute to making young people's lives better. Most private schools accept scholarships. There are many types of scholarships available depending on what you're interested in studying, your background, ethnicity, religion, sport etc. There are lots of benefits that come along with getting awarded a scholarship. While it can reduce your financial burden, scholarships look great on your resume. Take a look at the Australian Government's StudyAssist website for [more information on scholarships](https://www.studyassist.gov.au/you-study/scholarships). ## Do private schools offer sporting scholarships? Athletic scholarships are offered by private schools to student-athletes who display exceptional talent in their chosen sport. While athletic scholarships can be incredibly helpful, it's important to remember that coaches look at much more than your game tape when making scholarship offers. They want smart, well-rounded players who will positively influence the rest of their team. However, not every player is going to be recruited by a major university. Many smaller schools and community colleges want a student body that can contribute to their teams in some way. Athletic scholarships do come with a lot of work and commitment, but they can lead to big opportunities in the future if you're willing to put in the hours. If you're still committed and looking for opportunities, there's no reason why you shouldn't receive one.

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