Shirley Wilson Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hi everyone, looking into these high schools for my girls, aged 14 and 15. Anyone with experience if these 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot01 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 In terms of statistics/results on paper Comet Bay is way ahead of Warnbro but neither are great. No personal experience but looks like Comet Bay is the best bet out of the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley Wilson Posted February 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hi Scot01, what makes you say that neither are great? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot01 Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 I've been interpreting the information from here - http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/internet/Publications/Reports/Statistical_Reports/School_Comparison_Statistics and here - http://www.myschool.edu.au/ The myschool web site gives info on the Naplan results (like SATS) and attendance among other things. Warnbro is below the national average in reading and numeracy in Year 9. More worrying is the attendance at 84% which means that 16% of kids aren't turning up for school and I would want to know why. CometBay is achieving the national average, just, with attendance at 89% - still low. The other site is the results of the Year 12 exams last year. If you want to go to University you have to do Level 3 subjects - like A level, and at a push level 2 subjects. If you do all level 2 then there is still a chance that you might get an overall score at the end of Year 12 that will get you into Uni, but unlikely to be the best Uni (UWA) or for things like engineering/law etc. If your kids are academic then you'd be looking for a high school with good Level 3 results. Number of students at Warnbro who got over 65% in their Level 3 exams 4% (no one got an A) Comet Bay 23% - with only 5% of those getting an A Compare this to the likes of Willeton Senior High school - not the best govt school but came in the top 20 schools against all the private schools. 55% got over 65% OK, so may be these two schools aren't very academic and advise kids to go for level 2 course rather than the more difficult level 3. Percentage of kids who got over 65% in Level2 Warnbro - 24% Comet Bay 63% Willeton 78% The really non academic schools do what are called VET courses which don't count towards University entry. These are also ranked and neither school made the top 50 schools in VET courses which means they are not that great at academic stuff and not that great at VET in terms of results but Comet Bay is your best bet. Clear as mud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PingPongPom Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I know it's personal choice, but we lived in Secret Harbour and wouldn't send the kids to Comet Bay high school. We had friends take their son out after a year, however I have another friend whose kids attend there and have done for 3 years, although I will say that they are probably going to join their dad's business and education is not the top of their list. Funnily enough both my boys went to the private school next door to warnbro high, I drove by it everyday and I wouldn't send my kids there for love nor money! Just my opinion of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I know it's personal choice, but we lived in Secret Harbour and wouldn't send the kids to Comet Bay high school. We had friends take their son out after a year, however I have another friend whose kids attend there and have done for 3 years, although I will say that they are probably going to join their dad's business and education is not the top of their list. Funnily enough both my boys went to the private school next door to warnbro high, I drove by it everyday and I wouldn't send my kids there for love nor money! Just my opinion of course How did/do you find Living Waters (assuming if course that's where your children go to school). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot01 Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Living Waters. Kids who got Above 65% stage 3 was same as Comet Bay (23%) In stage 2 exams 30% (much less than Comet Bay ) VET (vocational education) living waters listed as one of the top ten schools in WA for the number of kids who do the non academic VET courses but they didn't make the top 50 schools in terms of results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 However it isn't just about academic achievement when you are looking at schools. It has to be about a school that will suit the needs of your child. Not every child is academic - some children need more nurturing at school for various reasons - some children are just average at everything. You absolutely cannot judge a school by what you read on the internet. You have to go into the school with your child - have an interview with the Principal - have a tour of the school with your child,even ask to meet the teacher your child would have, and if your views and your child's views coincide, well that is the right school. Along the track, even if the school is the right school at the beginning of your migrant journey, you also have to be aware of changes in the school. For instance, the Principal can change, and in some instances this can change the whole feel and ethos of the school. My career for 35 years before I retired was spent in education administration in both UK and WA. I have seen at first hand in both countries how a school can change dramatically with the change of a Principal/Headmaster.... so be aware of this. It is not just about league tables in any schools... it is about the way the school is run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieQ Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Hi Shirley.....Depending on where you live is where the kids can go. My eldest went to Comet Bay and my year 6 will be going next year. Yes like EVERY school it has its issues. The headmaster is approachable.....it is now an Independent school and so in charge of its own budget and can decide on which teachers teach there. They do a lot for the VET program and also the base of the Gifted and Talented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PingPongPom Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Living Waters. Kids who got Above 65% stage 3 was same as Comet Bay (23%)In stage 2 exams 30% (much less than Comet Bay ) VET (vocational education) living waters listed as one of the top ten schools in WA for the number of kids who do the non academic VET courses but they didn't make the top 50 schools in terms of results. That doesn't really surprise me. I found the junior school part of living waters acceptable and the teachers really pushed the kids, and the boys were really happy there, I was happy with the level of work they were doing, however I was concerned that there were not very good reports on the middle school and senior school element. At the time, it felt like the best option but had we stayed I'm not sure what would've happened. I did always get the feeling we could be at an equally good state school if we moved areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scot01 Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 Totally agree Rossmoyne. We looked at several schools when we arrived and at the time I wanted a small nurturing school for my son. My younger son though needed a school with a learning support teacher and good music programme so we changed primary school. Depends on individual needs. Stats are just a starting point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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