Bright Futures: Key factors in choosing a school

Choosing the school that’s right for your child can feel overwhelming for some parents with many factors to consider.

We spoke to Peninsula mum Sami Fisher about what she’s looking for in primary education for her daughter Indie and what she is considering now that secondary school is on the horizon.

“Community is a big thing. I think being with good, likeminded parents and teachers … just having that good little community around her that she can grow up with was really important for me,” Sami explains.

Indie is in Year 4 at a local primary school and is enjoying making friends, learning and playtime.

“I like maths, HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences), science, English, art, music, physical education and LOTE (Languages Other Than English),” Indie says.

The eight-year-old is learning to play the violin through the school’s instrumental music program this year.

“She’s very creative, so I do love that the school has lots of different little programs she can do outside of the normal curriculum,” Sami explains.

Receiving advice from family and friends helped her decide on Indie’s school, but she says visiting the school and seeing it for herself was equally important.

“I think you get a feel (for a school) if you go in for an interview and see the school and people, you get a vibe and energy,” Sami says.

“We did it at our school. We felt really happy walking in.”

She believes she made the right decision.

“It’s a big school and I like that there’s a lot of different kids that she’s going to interact with and play with and get to know … I think that’s really good for her,” Sami says.

“I’ve been really lucky at Indie’s school … she’s had amazing teachers … that nurturing student-teacher connection and fostering that creativity and confidence in her.

“Her teachers all really want to be there and they are passionate about giving students a really good education.”

It won’t be too long before they have to think about the next stage in Indie’s education - secondary school – but Sami says the considerations will be very similar.

“I think again network and community will be a big one. I am considering where her cousins have gone and will be going,” she says.

Indie will have an interview at a prospective school this term.

“I’m taking into consideration what she is into to make a final call because high schools all specialise in different areas,” Sami says

Does a school’s NAPLAN performance factor in her decision-making?

“No. I just want her to be happy at a school. She’s a good student, so I know she’s going to excel no matter where she goes,” Sami says.

Key to achieving that happiness is ensuring there is a balance between busy school life and downtime.

One afternoon a week, Indie does a children’s fitness class for kids aged 5-12 years at Active Sisters and another day she does trampolining, but throughout the week she also enjoys walking the family dog, cooking and learning to sew.

“We have some commitments and things in the afternoons, but we really look forward to some quiet days where they can approach the afternoon slowly,” Sami says.

Sami says the Peninsula is a great place to raise children, offering opportunities for an active and relaxed lifestyle.

Schooling in Moreton Bay

With a population of about 500,000 and a land area of more than 2,045 square kilometres, the City of Moreton Bay is one of the largest and fastest growing council areas in Australia.

During the next 20 years, an additional 200,000 people are expected to call Moreton Bay home.

About 45 per cent of households in the city now have children.

According to data collected in the 2021 Census, 77,294 children living here attend school. These are a mix of state and private schools at primary and secondary level, with plenty of quality close-to-home options for families.

The city also offers a bounty of childcare and kindergarten services, TAFE campuses, a university, and centres which support student learning.

There really isn’t a need to travel too far from home to find a quality education that suits the needs and aspirations of parents, guardians and children.

SOURCES: Moreton Bay City Council, Australian Bureau of Statistics