Choosing a School for Your Child NSW

When it comes to education, we all want what’s best for our kids. Decisions about where your child goes to school are very personal and can be daunting. In Choosing a School for Your Child we aim to make this process as simple as possible. These days, choosing the right school is more than simply choosing between co-educational or single-sex, government or independent. Other factors to consider include educational options, the school’s philosophies, religious affiliation, the co-curricular programs and much more. Some schools are noted for their sporting and musical programs, while others have a strong vocational emphasis. Some make involvement in community service compulsory, while others offer an extensive range of languages and international exchange programs. Our regular features detail everything that a parent needs to know about the NSW education system and the HSC, RoSA and the IB. In order to keep you informed and up-to-date, we have compiled a series of articles that address important issues. Our comprehensive listings highlight information about government and independent schools in New South Wales, divided by location for easy reference.

Choosing a School for Your Child NSW

From the editor

Education 2023/2024: the big picture • An overview of the current NSW education system

Choosing a school for your child • For many parents, choosing the right school for their child is a daunting and difficult task. Here, we show you how and where to start

Information checklist • Before creating a shortlist of schools to visit, it is important to consider the features of a school that are important to you and your child. This will help you gain the information you want from each school

Education options • While the broad range of schooling options currently open to parents reflects a well-developed and thriving educational system, the choices can be a little overwhelming. Here, we explain all available educational options and school types in NSW to help parents with their decision, including the three main sectors: government, independent and Catholic schools

Understanding the RoSA, HSC and IB: A concise guide • An understanding of the NSW Record of School Achievement (RoSA), the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) will help your child devise the most appropriate program of study in anticipation of either tertiary education or direct entry into the workforce

Making the transition from primary to secondary school • Your child’s move from primary to secondary school is a time of change — not just for the student, who may be more excited than anxious, but also for the parents, who may feel uneasy and concerned about what lies ahead

A globally recognised alternative • The International Baccalaureate (IB) provides a high-quality education program to an international school community

Six reasons why an IB Diploma education may be preferable to completing the HSC

How to get your child motivated at school • School can be a tough, repetitive and ongoing process for some kids. It is common for children to lack motivation at school, with approximately 20 per cent of students described as “disengaged”

Six practical tips to help your child succeed in high school • All parents want their child to succeed in high school. However, high school years can be a stressful time for young people feeling pressure to perform, and students just entering high school may experience anxiety

What to do if your child receives disappointing exam results • Receiving lower-than-expected exam results can feel shocking or devastating for your child. It is important for parents to approach disappointing exam results positively to help their child improve

Communicating with your child about school • As children grow into teenagers, they often...