A cheat’s guide to passing the trickiest test of all - by Gemma Clark
For children, the first day of school is an exciting start to their most memorable years.
But before lunches are made, shoelaces tied and uniforms ironed, parents have some homework of their own. From preparing your kids for formal education to choosing the right school, we’ve done the homework for you......just don’t let the dog eat it!
Nelson Mandela once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. But what is education? In the 21st century, education is no longer a case of the age-old ‘three Rs’: reading, writing and arithmetic.
The Oxford English Dictionary goes so far as to define education as “an enlightening experience”, a journey towards becoming rational, tolerant and well-informed. Learning continues long after the years of formal education, though it is these years that are the first steps we take on such a journey.
We generally only have one shot to get a good education, so it’s important to make informed and carefully planned decisions when choosing education pathways for your child.
Addressing Australian teachers and prominent education figures in a 2008 speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, assured Australian families that all educational institutions – Government, independent and Catholic - share one purpose: to ensure that every Australian child gets the very best education possible.
Formal education has been compulsory in Western Australia since 1871 from age six. In 2005, Western Australian law was changed to require students to remain at school, in other education or training or employed until the end of the year in which they turn 17.
Children must be six years of age or older by June 30 of the year they commence Year 1, the first compulsory year of schooling. The school year is divided into four terms and though dates vary slightly year to year, typically students attend school from late January or early February through to mid-December. All government and independent schools are required by law to implement the State’s Curriculum Framework, to ensure that schools provide students with a balanced and comprehensive education to equip them to be valuable participants in contemporary Australian society.
Last year, for the first time ever, all Australian children in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sat identical papers for the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests. The NAPLAN results revealed that around 90 per cent of Australian kids met or exceeded the minimum standards for comprehension, spelling, writing and numeracy. However, this still means that 10 per cent of students didn’t meet the benchmarks. Supporting your child’s learning at each stage of their education will help them achieve the best they can.
Child’s Play
Learning begins long before the school bell rings. The Director General of Schools in Western Australia, Sharyn O’Neill, says a safe, supportive and stimulating home environment helps your child feel positively towards education as they grow up. As a parent, you are the most important person in your child’s life, so being actively involved in their learning can set them up for success in the classroom.
Children are natural explorers, full of curiosity and determination to answer their own questions (even “What does dirt taste like?”). They learn by interesting, spontaneous activities that happen naturally every day. The best learning doesn’t even feel like learning at all, but occurs when your child is happily having fun.
Research has shown that the first five years of life is the fastest period of growth and development. Children are constantly learning; the average toddler’s brain is twice as active as an adult’s brain, forming over 1000 trillion connections by the time they’re three.
The early years of childhood have the greatest long-term influence on the learning and wellbeing of children. Penny Bingham from Kaleidoscope Education has some helpful tips to prepare your kids for any classrooom.
Make sure your children maintain a healthy diet. Most of us know the importance of good nutrition for our bodies, but Penny says kids also need a balanced diet to nourish the brain. Try replacing fruit juice at the breakfast table with milk or fresh fruit, which sustain energy levels for longer. Providing healthy snacks will keep your kids focused and there are plenty of tasty options to satisfy fussy eaters. Add berries, hummus, cherry tomatoes and walnuts to your shopping list.
Sweet dreams just got sweeter. Children who get 8 to 9 hours sleep a night are better behaved and more attentive than those who get less. Research has shown teenagers need a little more, so the occasional sleep-in actually does them good.
Play! Expose your kids to a variety of stimulating experiences that engage all of their senses. Going for a walk, cooking, dancing and reading will get your kids learning basic language and logic skills that will come in handy once school starts.
Limit the use of computers and electronics. Kids are more imaginative and acquire better problem solving skills when engaging in activities away from screens. Turn off the television close to bed time, especially if it’s in the bedroom. The light emanating from the screen reduces the production of Melatonin, a vital sleep hormone, and can affect the length and quality of sleep.
Involve your kids in family decisions. From “What shall we have for dinner?” to “Where shall we go on holiday?”, your child will feel valued and confident in contributing ideas – an important skill for the classroom.
It’s not a case of “eeny, meeny, miney, mo”
Every parent wants the best for their children, but the challenge lies in finding what is best for your child. It can be a tearful goodbye for both parents and child on that first day of school, and for many parents, finding the right school is also an agonizing and bewildering process.
There are over 900 schools in Western Australia, and finding the right one isn’t always a simple case of geography and picking the closest. However, your child does have guaranteed automatic entry to your local government school from years 1 to 12.
The perfect school is one that brings out the best in your child, motivates them to achieve their full potential and excites them about learning. It is a place that will make your child feel safe, secured and valued. The perfect school could be government run, Catholic or independent, different to what your next-door neighbour thinks, even different for each of your children. But with so many options, what needs to be considered?
It’s best if the school’s philosophy matches that of your family. There’s no point sending your child to a school that promotes values you don’t respect. Many schools have religious affiliations which students are encouraged to abide by. Others place emphasis on particular aspects of the curriculum, such as sport, the arts or academics which may be important to your family or pursue your child’s talents. Take time to research a school’s curriculum, values, discipline policies and the expectations of its students and parents – you’ll find most of this information in the school prospectus.
For some families, a school’s location is an important consideration, as it could ultimately determine where they choose to live. Consider how much time you are willing to travel each day, how accessible it is by public transport and whether or not your child will have friends close by.
Consider the size of the school. Research shows that the ideal class size is 16 students for every one teacher. While few Australian schools meet this recommendation, the closer you can get to it the better. If you want your child to attend the same school for the entirety of their education, make sure the schools you have in mind can facilitate that.
You may also want to consider: the school’s facilities, pastoral care programs, extra-curricular opportunities, parental involvement, academic history and, of course, fees. Apart from tuition fees, you may also be expected to pay for uniforms, textbooks, laptop computers, excursions and school social events to name a few. Consider how these costs may impact your family situation.
Make a list of attributes that you don’t want to compromise on when choosing a school. This will help you figure out what is important to you, and eliminate schools that don’t meet your criteria and therefore are unsuitable for your child.
If it’s possible, visit the school on an open day or take a tour around the campus. Have a look at how students and teachers interact, the buildings and resources and get a feel for the place. If it seems like an environment that will nurture your child, schedule an interview with the principal. Ask the unanswered questions from your research and observations and be confident in your knowledge of what will suit your child’s needs.
The Great Debate
On a basic level, schools in Western Australia fit one of two categories: government and private. The debate over which is better is endless and, in essence, has no correct answer.
There has long been a misconception that only the wealthy can attend good schools. However, there are plenty of top quality government schools available to those in most financial situations, as well as independent schools that serve less affluent communities.
Government schools structure teaching based on the Curriculum Framework that every school in the state must abide by. You’ll find a huge range of subjects on offer, stemming from eight core areas: English, mathematics, science, society & environment, technology & enterprise, languages, the arts and health & physical education.
Children are statistically more likely to attend a public school, which make up 67% of Australian school enrolments. Western Australia has over 770 public schools, which, as with private schools, vary in size, quality of facilities and value systems.
Government schools don’t have tuition fees, though you should expect to pay other expenses. These include a voluntary annual contribution to the school, usually around $60 for primary students (years 1 to 7) and $235 for secondary students (years 8 to 12). Secondary schools may also charge specific subject fees, particularly for practical components like visual arts and home economics. Other payments may include textbook hire at the secondary level, as well as uniforms, extra-curricular activities, excursions and school camps.
While a majority of children attend government schools, many parents make financial sacrifices to provide their child with private education.
Private schools in Western Australia can be categorised as Catholic or independent. Both are heavily funded by the Government, though not as much as state schools. They operate as independent not-for-profit institutions and fees can range from as little as $800 to as much as $20,000 a year.
Catholic schools make up the second largest portion of school enrolments, behind government schools, in Australia. In 2008, 14% of Australian students were enrolled in independent schools – those with other religious affiliations, philosophies or teaching methods. In most instances, families don’t have to practice the religion associated with the school, which is a more common requirement in the Catholic sector.
There are over 150 independent schools in WA. For many rural families, independent schools with boarding facilities are the only option. Studies have shown that a majority of families who choose independent education do so because they want their child to have a specific values-based or religious education, or to be educated using alternative teaching philosophies such as Montessori or Steiner methods.
Enrolments in schools with alternative teaching philosophies are rising each year. The Montessori and Steiner methods are the most established in Perth, with different curriculums and successful graduates.
The Montessori education method embraces children’s natural development and urge to learn. Montessori education is divided into four stages with mixed ages which allow children to cooperate, teach each other and learn how to socialise within a safe environment. Montessori materials are hands on, encourage independence and develop knowledge without formal theory.
The Rudolf Steiner (AKA Waldorf) method aims to educate children in traditional subjects by weaving the arts into every lesson. The curriculum strives to teach the whole child, ‘head, heart and hands’ in accordance to their natural development and abilities to produce creative, free-thinking individuals who can make confident decisions in life.
Both philosophies facilitate students from all religious backgrounds. To find out more, visit http://montessori.org.au or www.steineroz.com.
If you’re thinking about sending your child to a private school, you should start planning early. Many private schools have long waiting lists for enrolments – even for the primary years! It’s also wise to think about how your family will afford it, so ask the school about financial plans or scholarships they offer.
Your decision to choose public or private education (or a combination of the two) should be made because you feel a particular school will best meet the needs of your child and family. Families shouldn’t limit their child’s options to private education purely because they can afford it. Money does not necessarily buy a better education, but the right school may be a worthwhile investment for your child’s future.
Encouragement
Once your child has started school, give them time to settle in and don’t expect too much too soon. Try to encourage them to talk about their emotions to uncover any possible anxieties they may have. Penny Bingham suggests asking questions that provoke an emotional response, such as “what was the best thing that happened at school today?” and “what made it the best thing?”, to avoid the ‘good’, ‘bad’ or ‘okay’ answer you might get by asking “how was your day?”
An African proverb states that it takes a whole village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes more than a teacher to educate them. Stay supportive and involved with their learning by keeping up links between school and home life. You can do this by getting involved at the school, inviting school friends over for a play date and upholding important classroom values like sharing, listening to others and using good manners within the home.
Starting school is an overwhelming and action-packed experience for your child, and they may feel like they aren’t moving as fast as their classmates. If your child is worried about how they’re doing in the early days, remind them that there might be someone who is better at something than us, but the important thing is to try and do the best we can. Maintain a good relationship with their teacher and feel comfortable talking about your child’s progress if you think it’s an issue later down the track.
At the end of the day, stay confident in your knowledge of your child and what you think is most suitable for them. It’s one of their greatest adventures, and an exciting time for you to be a part of. Keep in mind that your little boy or girl might not think they’re so little once they start school, and let them embrace the dose of independence that comes with starting their new routine. Rest assured, they’ll never turn down a cuddle from mum or dad after a long day in the schoolyard.
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