Hi! I'm at the stage of paying deposits for Secondary Schools, starting 2014.
Most people in our Church go private. I could afford it, but it would be a real stretch - two children.
I went to a State school as a child and then to a priate one for 5th and 6th. I enjoyed the private school as it was a more relaxed atmosphere, but the exam results were very poor. I did well as I was always a swot. There wasn't an emphasis on results in the school at the time - it was outside Dublin. I also never made the same quality of friends there as I had in the State school - I still keep in touch with them. I also saw that a l of the poorer kids who couldn't keep up with the well-off kids were looked down upon, and in one or two cases, sort of ostracised.
I have one really bright child and one average child. Those in my social circle and church circle are shocked that I am not totally dedicated to the private education route - even though I was privately educated for part of secondary school, private education does not really match my own personal values.
I would really welcome advice/comments on this issue as I have been requested by two of the schools to forward the deposit e750 and e500 within the next two weeks!
I won't name the private schools, but the State schools we have our names down for are Colaiste Ciaran, Leixlip, and St. Joespeh's College Lucan.
Thanks.
Most people in our Church go private. I could afford it, but it would be a real stretch - two children.
I went to a State school as a child and then to a priate one for 5th and 6th. I enjoyed the private school as it was a more relaxed atmosphere, but the exam results were very poor. I did well as I was always a swot. There wasn't an emphasis on results in the school at the time - it was outside Dublin. I also never made the same quality of friends there as I had in the State school - I still keep in touch with them. I also saw that a l of the poorer kids who couldn't keep up with the well-off kids were looked down upon, and in one or two cases, sort of ostracised.
I have one really bright child and one average child. Those in my social circle and church circle are shocked that I am not totally dedicated to the private education route - even though I was privately educated for part of secondary school, private education does not really match my own personal values.
I would really welcome advice/comments on this issue as I have been requested by two of the schools to forward the deposit e750 and e500 within the next two weeks!
I won't name the private schools, but the State schools we have our names down for are Colaiste Ciaran, Leixlip, and St. Joespeh's College Lucan.
Thanks.