I would like to add something here. Our boys went to the local state primary school but we chose an Anglican high school, mainly because of its great reputation, caring atmosphere and the fact that we were told, and do believe, that bullying is often better and more swiftly handled in a private school (though I admit it happens in
every school).
This did prove to be the case when my oldest was bullied in grade eight. It was knocked on the head quickly.
My youngest has just started grade eight and one of his friends is at one of the "elite" Brisbane schools. He is getting two hours of homework per night, on top of the extra curricular sport and music that is pretty much expected in this school. His mother is very concerned for his mental health. He is talking of controlling his "black dog", which I find alarming for a boy of twelve.
My son has done possibly an hour's worth of homework per week. His grades are average. My oldest boy achieved a great score with very little work done at home because he did a lot of work on the bus trip home and during lunch time with like minded friends who preferred to do it then rather than at home. Very often work is given in class that must be finished at home if it is not finished in the class time.
My middle son is doing senior and putting in more work than the oldest, but he is motivated to achieve a good OP to get into the course he wants. It is self-driven, not school driven.
The interesting thing (for me) is that when the results are published for these schools, my sons' school ranks about the same level (perhaps higher) in the OP scores than this full on rah, rah school that his friend attends.
If having kids do two hours of work at night meant their OP scores were well ahead, I could see the motivation for the school to push this line. This boy, at twelve years old, is stressed to the eyeballs though and his mum is worried about his well being. She is considering changing schools, but his dad insists he continue at this school because it is the one he went to, upholding the family tradition etc. I have never understood that either.
This woman is not alone. At a grade eight meeting, she brought up the homework issue, other a big number parents present agreed with her concerns, but the school apparently said that with only one third of the grade eight parents present, it was not enough of an indication that most of them were worried and concerned
.
Perhaps have a good talk to someone you know already in the school before committing. I know my boy would not cope with that level of homework and I am so glad he is at the private school he is at.
