Understanding how many of the essential services in the city of Sydney will help in your move and help you to settle down with little trouble.
Education System
The education system in Australia is divided into five separate and distinct areas:
- Pre school
- Primary school
- Secondary / high school / secondary colleges
- Career and vocational training
- University or other tertiary institutions
Schooling in the New South Wales district makes school compulsory only until Grade 10; and although most students take the opportunity to complete their high schooling and move on to finish Grade 12. Much like other parts of the world, there is the choice of public (state government run) or private (run as an independent, fee based school).
If you choose to attend a “specialist” school, these include:
- Selective high schools: provide opportunities to those students who fall into the description of high achieving and to be considered for this type of schooling, a test, called the Selective High School, is administered and is combined with the student’s overall academic merits. This type of specialist school is extremely competitive to get a spot in.
- Technology High Schools: the courses offered in this school focus on technological areas including rural and marine technology and are closely affiliated with local TAFE colleges.
- Sports High Schools: offer opportunities for students that excel in both academics and sport.
- Creative and Performing Arts: this academic facility is geared toward those students who focus on artistic and creative subjects such as dance, drama, music and visual arts, while still studying other core subjects related to traditional studies.
- Schools for Specific Purposes: this school is designed around providing education for those students who require intensive levels of support.
Primary School
If you are looking for early education for your child who is around the age of five, the first year of school is referred to as Kindergarten and as a overview of the curriculum, learning is broken down into 4 stages:
- Early Stage 1 – Kindergarten
- Stage 1 - Years 1 and 2
- Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4
- Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6
Secondary School
This educational stage is also broken down into 3 different stages:
- Stage 4 – Years 7 and 8
- Stage 5 – Years 9 and 10
- Stage 6 – Years 11 and 12
