Schools throw open doors through the year

A first-hand experience is vital when choosing the right school, writes Cara Jenkin for The Age, Open Days & Special Events Feaature. An extract from the article is provided below.

 “…Parents and students now have many opportunities to discover the best school for their interests and needs, as the concept of the school open day expands to cover a host of different experiences. 

Whether through online videos or weekend events, personal tours or group sessions, in-class experiences or a chat over a coffee, schools are ensuring prospective families can access the information they seek in a format that suits them. 

Some parents attend events soon after their children are born. While families are welcome to attend and think ahead, St Catherine’s School registrar Jeanette Boehm recommends attending when parents  know their child’s personality well, such as in the year before they plan to start school. 

“Selecting a school is a personal choice for each family and parents and their children must consider many factors, including selecting a school that will provide the best opportunities for their child’s specific goals, interests and dispositions,” she says. 

“That is why our open mornings are designed to provide information and experiences specific to each visiting family. This ensures they can make informed decisions on their children’s education based on real-life experiences and first-hand knowledge.” 

Schools are now running events throughout the school year, giving ample time for families to decide and the opportunity to return to the school if they want to learn more or see something different. 

Many schools hold open days and special events throughout the year to not only provide flexibility for families to be able to fit a school visit around their schedule, but to ensure they receive a personalised experience as much as possible. 

Schools want students to follow their own pathway that fits their strengths, passions and aspirations and understand they may not be able to get all the information they want or see classes and activities first-hand during a one-off event. Schools also offer a range of programs outside of their academic programs, ranging from outdoor adventure activities to interstate and overseas travel and exchange programs, so need more than a one-size-fits-all approach to showcase all the learning experiences available. 

As part of St Catherine’s School’s Open Day program, prospective students spend a day at the school, buddying up with another student who can answer questions and provide a peer’s perspective. Students considering boarding can also experience life in the boarding house by staying overnight. 

Boehm says the school holds five open mornings – in March, May, June, August and October – but families can book a private tour when it suits them. Some families do both, attending an open morning then booking a private tour at another date. The Early Learning Centre has open mornings held on Saturdays so parents and children can get involved in the experience together, and teachers are better available to answer questions. 

“St Catherine’s School has a vibrant and close-knit community and we see the educational journey of each student as a partnership between home and school, so we encourage prospective parents or newly enrolled families to spend as much time as they can on campus,” Boehm says. 

“Families need to be confident that they’ve made the right choice. The prep students will come in and spend the day and our current preps will be their buddies. 

“Providing peer-based experiences for our visiting students is so valuable in both our primary and senior schools.  

‘‘We encourage [prospective] students to go into a classroom with a buddy and ask as many questions as they can during their open morning experience. 

“Our current students provide honest and relatable responses to the visiting students, which really helps them gain a deeper understanding of the St Catherine’s experience.” 

Boehm says in-school experiences enable families to speak with staff and students, and that families have much to consider beyond academic performance, including unique approaches to teaching and the cocurricular program. St Catherine’s has a Senior Years Learning Model, for example, which provides tertiary-style tutorials and lectures so students take greater responsibility for their learning…” 

Cara Jenkin

The Age

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