Any expats with kids in Local Govt funded Primary Schools

[sundaymorningstaple]

First of all sprite, I didn't realize that you were the spokesman for ALL expats therefore your word is the final say. When you come on in the first paragraph as speaking for the majority of expats. I find that as an attack and not an opinion. It would seem that anytime I do not agree with you perceive it as an attack by me. Also I think it is telling if you think everything I say is "snarky". I was just putting forward possible reasons why the kids were pulled out of school as you didn't bother to validate your all encompassing statement.

Secondly, road.not.taken I am not dissing the International Schools at all, and I've said that before. I also said that I could have afforded International Schools as well had I though the choice was a correct one. I chose not to. I chose a viable alternative that proved to be just as good as any international school and as was admitted, also picked up a second language as well as the ability to switch to fluent Singlish if necessary (albeit a secondary benefit). If my kids are the 100% product of the local system, then it cannot be the school now can it. (I worked offshore for 2/3's of the time they were in school and my wife is local. The only tutoring my kids ever had was in Mandarin (well one had a bit of Math as well one year). One also had to admit that a big part of their children's education takes place on the streets away from schools.

AT NO TIME have I ever alluded to parents who send their kids to International Schools as being elitist or snobbish. I have just put forward that there is a viable alternative that some people look down on and put down without having ever thoroughly investigated the curriculum of the local school system of today. Instead, relying on anecdotal evidence of things well over a decade ago. I was also the first to note the previous shortcomings of the local system in the early years. But for one to say that an international school is hands down better than local school in this country I feel is a joke. Each has their strengths and weaknesses.

And yes, I did have to go back and spell out your nick in full as I somehow recalled you did not like the initials we often use.

[road.not.taken]

This argument is really nonsensical since you both agree: to each his own! No one school is the right choice for everyone! A child's education does not stop when the school day ends! All the rest is just a bunch of inferences and assumptions, and a big waste of time.

I do feel sorry for new families who don't have a choice though, because of finances or schools at capacity. It must be hard not to get into the school of your choice, no matter what that school is.

[road.not.taken]

So after all of this has been said and done, I'm not on a full expat package so schooling will come from my pocket, my 15mth girl will need some form of education, is the East coast one OK?...I mean i heard its teaching methods are based more on a International Schools style of teaching and curiculum, is this true?
If so whats the name of the school and location...for me it maybe the most viable option. Unfortunately i have to many local friends with kids the same age as my two (Living in NZ (9 and 10)) they appear smart but really have no life skills when i compare them and for me this is more important long term. So i'm interested in another option if available.

I think you do as much internet research as you can then draw up a list of possibilities. Then I'd tour as many schools as you can and ask a lot of questions. The life skills problem can be a result of children reared by maids and not allowed to take on responsibility or risk as a result.

[Thaiclan]

One of the posts I just read said that the International Schools were too expensive. Unfortunately it is the opposite. many of the year groups are full and its not unusual to have 2 year waiting lists. This indicates that the schools are actually too cheap! Gulp!!

[jaw]

So after all of this has been said and done, I'm not on a full expat package so schooling will come from my pocket, my 15mth girl will need some form of education, is the East coast one OK?...I mean i heard its teaching methods are based more on a International Schools style of teaching and curiculum, is this true?
If so whats the name of the school and location...for me it maybe the most viable option. Unfortunately i have to many local friends with kids the same age as my two (Living in NZ (9 and 10)) they appear smart but really have no life skills when i compare them and for me this is more important long term. So i'm interested in another option if available.

If you are talking about 15 mth girl, then it's preschool education. MOE does not control the way they run so it's very dependent on the school's own curriculum, (btw preschool edn is under MCYS). They are mostly private run and their costs ranges from low to very high. You have to do a lot of research for this as some do not practice what they do, the most important thing is to check out the teacher's qualifications, the turnover rate as well as the principal.