A new comer to Melbourne have some question about choosing girls school

Thank you for your advice. We have chosen camberwell girls for my daughter since it is not far and she has some friends in it.

Would you be able to share more info about CGG? Whats the ethic mix like there?

My daughter has graduated from CGGS about 3 years ago. Her VCE result was 95.9 . She likes her school especially history teacher. Its suitable for girls if they have immigration backgrounds and they need to improve English language. There were about 50% Chinese background in her class. Its better for girls to participate more sports and activities at school, so that they have more chance to find friends.

Are the 50% Chinese background international students or are they born locally or came to Australia when they were young? Do you think CGG is a nurturing and caring school?

How do you think the school help students improve on their English?

CGGS has some experience in ESL since there are some students come from overseas in secondary school. Some of her Chinese classmates were born in Australia. Some of them were came here about 13 years old or so. I dont think CGGS is a nurturing and caring school, The only big difference between her before public school Canterbury girls secondary school and CGGS is activities. Private school has more activities. The teachers are all good for both schools. And you have to study very hard to get a good VCE result.

As in after school activities? Are those included as part of the school fees or other paid activities?

In what ways do you feel CGG is more nurturing and caring for students?

Thats a school, not a childcare. The teachers important job is teaching students in the class. Especially for secondary school students. They are independent,All of things must be done by students themselves. I never felt that way.

It is a little far from us.

No it is only 11 minuets by car between Camberwell Girls and PLC and there is lots of public transport your daughter can get. This is a web site where you can put in different address and it will show you how far it is http://www.whereis.com/#session=MjE5 I just give you this information as you may not get a place at the school you want and may have to look at an alternative.

You are right. I'll visit it. Thanks.

It's very kind of you,thank you. Best wishes to you.

OK, There are some language difficult for me at present to choose a school since they only speak English. but I will try to apply a place for my daughter.

Thank you very much for the suggestion. Yes, We prefer to send her to a private school next year. Camberwell Girls grammar is the nearest one to my home, But my daughter only lived in Melbourne for several month,She needs to improve English, If there are many schoolmates to speak Chinese with her,she will not like to speak English again. If so,She has to stay in the public school for an extra year to learn more English. and another school Ruyton Do you know this school? How do you think it? I hope to see it.

Hi Ruyton is a good school but i think Camberwell and MLC are better. The best thing for you to do is ring say 3 or 4 schools and make an appointment with the principle to discuss your concerns and have a look at the school. You will find a good balance of Australian and International Students at these schools. The best advise is find a school that fits your daughters needs and one she will like rather than choosing a school that you like but your daughter will not be happy at. Camberwell has students from over 35 countries and the girls fit in very quickly. Have a look at this http://www.camberwellgirls.net/enrolments/international/ This is the one for MLC http://www.mlc.vic.edu.au/how-to-enrol/international I think your daughter will learn English far faster at a Private school especially Camberwell and MLC due to all the additional resources that those schools have compared to the public schools.

Thank you for these informations. I will think about it and go to see comberwell soon since it is very close to us.

Education is more than year 12 ATAR scores. Your child has to happy and be in a setting where they feel nurtured and valued. Many parents are putting such high expectations on their children to achieve results in academic subjects that give the high ATAR scores. Your child's wellbeing and sense of identity is important for them as a person and for their future life. A school needs to provide for their interests and the teachers need to know each student. The advantage of a private school education is the smaller class sizes and the teachers student case load. Many teachers do not even know nor recognise each student. At parent teacher interviews many of the teachers have the of time appointments and photos of each student to go with the appointment sheet. the ones that have the photos don't make the following mistake! One of my daughters attended a very well known public school and at the parent teacher interview her sister sat down in front of the teacher with myself and my husband. The daughter that actually went to the school was coming back from the toilet. The teacher started to talk to us and didn't even realise that the girl sitting infant of her was not a student in her class. Two very different sisters, one with straight hair, one with very curly hair, one a very small frame, one a more middle size frame. I asked myself what does this teacher really know about my child, she can't even recognise who is in her class. Go Private school, small class sizes, teachers have a lower student case load and they know your child.

As a teacher for a very long time, I can tell you that MLC is the best. Top teachers. Excellent administration. Interesting activities for the students. IB is available. Great support for learning English and so many additional benefits to learn liberal arts and STEM subjects. A fantastic learning environment.