Foxy,

Studies have consistently shown that the education at private schools is significantly better than in public schools for the following reasons:

1 The parents are generally far more involved,
2 Private schools are freer to deal with disruptive or violent children,
3 Teachers generally prefer to work at private schools giving them a far better choice.

A recent study showed NAPLAN scores for children
who attended private schools were no different to
those in public schools, after accounting for
socioeconomic background.

These findings are in line with other research
both in Australia and internationally which show
that family background is related both to the
likelihood of attending a private school and to
academic achievement.

While there may appear to be differences in the
academic achievement of students in private
schools, these tend to disappear once socio economic
background is taken into account.

The concentration of higher-achieving students in
private schools could also magnify peer pressure
effects on student's decisions of future career
paths or attending uni.

Many disadvantaged families are a great deal more
constrained in their ability to choose and pay for
private schools.

However, I get the impression that the family environment
plays a huge part in a child's success. And probably
a child with the right support and encouragement and
interest from their family will do well in either private
or public education systems.

Thanks to everyone who've contributed something
of substance to this discussion. It is appreciated.
I've really got nothing more to add except to
wish you all continued happy posting.

Hi Foxy,

BTW, something that I should add, when it comes to education a lot has to do with the attitude of the child, be it private or public. Our pair in Brisbane at private Catholic schools, the girl has a thirst for knowledge and a good attitude, she does very well at school, the boy has a negative attitude and makes it hard for himself at times, 15 and thinks he knows it all.

When they came to Brisbane from Sydney, both were just finishing primary school, which they completed at state school, all good. Starting high school they were given the choice. The girl being the oldest and her first choice was the local State HS, where her friends were all going. After about 3 years she told her parents, my school "suks" I want to go to Catholic girls, and the transfer wasn't cheap, we all put in. She hasn't looked back since transferring. The boy started at Catholic boys HS from year 7, but his attitude is letting him down.

I gauge this by the evidence I see every day. Public school teachers aren't as committed to teaching as those in private schools. The young people I get to witness & speak with are definitely of a different mentality between private & public school. Those from private schools are more indoctrinated & those from public schools are more dumbed-down just like their teachers.
Those students who eventually succeed rather than 'make it' in life are generally those with the more caring parents which enabled them to develop a more sensible mentality !

Thanks to both of you. Paul and Individual.

Each child is different. We were always involved in the
lives of our children and our children are involved in their
children's lives. The importance of education was drummed
into me at a very young age. I took it seriously. Yet
my oldest brother was the so called "black sheep" in the
family who went his own way. Still he always managed to
land on his feet. Today he lives in Byron Bay - owns
his own property - and is quite happy. He's now retired.
He was a singer/musician - well known in his time.

So you never can tell who will succeed.

In the case of my grand-children - I have a feeling that
they will opt for the private school system. And we'll help
them with the fees. Anyway, thanks again for taking the time
to contribute to this discussion. With all the attacks on
the recently elected government and individuals
currently happening on this forum - anything positive is appreciated.