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Re: Question for tking, A Mate or others Posted on: Thu, 1 Dec 2005 19:48:13 +1000

MK

The 2 schools mentioned are parochial schools. They can be good and can be
ordinary.
Catholic schools in Australia belong to one of 2 classes. Order owned
schools - Iona and others; which are owned by largely autonomous Catholic
Religious Orders (most are 'Pontifical Congregations', responsible direct to
Rome, but subject to some diocesan direction).
The rest are CEO schools (controlled and owned by the Diocese - in this case
the Archdiocese of Brisbane) and conducted by the Catholic Education Office
for the Diocese.
The detail is boring and probably not of interest to you - but the outcomes
can be significantly different. Many non-Catholics (and I suppose most
non-Australians) do not understand the complex hybrid organisation of
schooling in Australia. State Schools, and only State Schools, are totally
Government funded. Private Schools are subsidised on a sliding scale, but
are also funded by parent fees.
Understand that all Catholic Schools in Australia (certainly Qld) are
'approved' - so they meet required standards. Understand also that CEO
schools charge lower fees than 'Order Owned' schools.
I have been (and I hesitate to record my work history, because it reveals my
identity - not something I ever do on Usenet normally - your questions are
so obviously sincere.........). I have been a District Inspector of Schools
in the State Dept of Education - and subsequently became a Principal in an
Order Owned (Christian Brothers) boys primary school - and since there's
only one in Brisbane.....
My personal belief is that Order Owned schools are uniformly of higher
standard than CEO schools. Some Order Owned schools are superb - by any
standard. CEO schools are often good, but sometimes very ordinary - in fact
of lower standard than State Schools. I don't know the current standard of
either school you've mentioned - they well may be excellent. I do know Iona
is an excellent school.

All my previous advice stands! Your choice of Secondary School is far, far
more crucial, than your choice of Primary School!

Good Luck!



"rk1dayboy" wrote in message
news:1133371946.795806.191740@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> You have been very helpful to me on other questions regarding Bayside
> schools, brisbane. I have been doing a lot of research and have
> narrowed our requirements down to a couple of schools. I have received
> the prospecus for Iona and I am very impressed. I have contacted the
> enrolments officer about the possibility of placements. We will be
> looking for placement in Iona for our oldest son (we have 3) in term 3
> 2006 or term 1 2007. Unfortunately currently they are booked out and
> will have to join a waiting list. They have mentioned to try and place
> the children in another catholic school in the area until a possibility
> of a placement occurs. They mentioned two schools St. Alexanders and
> Mary MacKillop. I think Mary MacKillop would be closer to where we
> would be looking (Wellington Point). Do you know anything about the
> school. From your experiences what are the likelihood of placements in
> Iona becoming available.
>
> Thank you for any information you may give.
>
> MK
>