Mark, I hope you are not making a generalization about Queensland State Primary Schools as a whole.
I have experienced a semi-broad range of schools for someone attending Griffith University from State Schools, to Adventist to Jewish schools.
~Brisbane Adventist College >B.A.C< – Yr 3(Wishart)
~Junction Park State School– Yr 6/7 (Annerley)
~Sinai College – Yr 3/4 (Mackenzie – Jewish School, 12 kids in my class, 32 in the school)
~Wishart State School – Yr 7 (Wishart)
Having attended BAC since Year 2 – 12, I found myself wanting to be employed
only within the private sector. Yes, as a child we all have some problems within school, but I assumed as a teacher going back to the school I loved so much, would be my dream. Needless to say, one could not pay me enough to teach at that school; the reasons I will not publish… but there are several.
Overall, each school has their
individual challenges. I do not support nor condemn the beliefs of Adventists, Jews or Catholics; I however would like to say that I have never been around such an amazing, supportive school system, positive and well behaved students as I have at Wishart.
Obviously some state schools have a ‘tarnished reputation’ due to some of the cohorts behaviour and actions; however, I find it somewhat offensive as a possible future Ed Qld Teacher that the Schools not be to your liking as a whole and that
I could possibly let you down or not teach your child to your standard; but I understand and respect your position.State Schools offer religious education classes within their curriculum and have a school chaplain there on a full time basis (from what I have been aware of in the past). It is the parent and students decision whether they attend these religious activities or not, but it is definitely unfair to state that it wouldn’t give your children the start you wanted them to.
mkseven said...
Elmo no taking that debate to the school isn't necessary. I made a decision to give my kids what I believed is the best start in life, which unfortunately I feel is outside the ability of the public school system. I did actually make their principal aware that I felt that way in the application interview and that I was not pro-religion. It is up to them to make their own decision's whether they follow faith or not when they are old enough and wise enough to make an informed argument for or against.