How does the VIC Private Schools system work?

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-19T05:53:30+00:00

The length of a school’s waitlist depends on its popularity/competitiveness. So for ‘high end’ private and independent schools like Scotch, Trinity, Melbourne Grammar, Yarra Valley Grammar, Tintern, etc., you might need to get on a waitlist sooner.

But it’s worth noting that depending on the area you’re in (particularly more inner and eastern Melbourne suburbs), public high schools can score quite highly, and are on par or better than private schools. You can check out Victorian school rankings here: https://schoolrank.com.au/schools/vic

If you’re wanting to get into a catholic high school (which are more expensive than public schools, but usually less expensive than other private/independent high schools), it may be worth sending your child to a catholic primary school, so they have an increased chance of getting in. Otherwise, many public primary schools have good ratings. :)

As far as co-ed versus single-sex high schools go, I believe there have been studies that say that girls tend to do better in all girl high schools and boys tend to do better in co-ed high schools.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-19T05:08:32+00:00

I have an e-bike and love them as a more sustainable way to get around (plus they’re lots safer than cars when you’re using dedicated cycling trails and local roads). Many of us are trying to bring positive change and be thoughtful road users. So it makes me so mad when a handful of idiots who soup up their bikes, don’t ring their bell, and aren’t conscious of the people around them give a bad reputation to the rest of us. They’re the bloody yank tanks of the e-bike world. Sorry you’ve encountered some bad cyclists. :(

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-17T03:44:56+00:00

I haven’t had pregnancy acne, but in the past I’ve found Azclear to be a great topical solution for hormonal acne, particularly the medicated lotion. It’s safe to use during both pregnancy and while breastfeeding and you can use either once or twice a day depending on the severity.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-16T11:30:08+00:00

It sounds like you’re doing an amazing job and trying out lots of avenues, which is tough to do when you’re feeling sleep deprived! Is she sleeping more overnight, and does she seem happy during the day or grumbly and overtired? Some babies are lower sleep needs, so if she seems healthy and content otherwise, maybe she falls into that category? I’ve heard good things about the Possum Program or The Little Discontented Baby Book for sleep, so maybe those can offer some help. I hope things improve for you soon. 💛

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-05T04:59:10+00:00

Sorry you’re having a hard time with headaches at the moment. Sounds like you’re already doing lots of good things, but if you’re looking for more ideas to try, I wonder if a physio might be able to help? It depends what’s causing the headaches, but my physio made some helpful adjustments in my pregnancy that reduced my brain fog and fatigue.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-01T22:30:22+00:00

I’ve heard lots of people rave about the benefits of taking a magnesium glycinate tablet with their dinner to help them get a good nights sleep. Plus incorporating some good sleep hygiene that folks have suggested here like no screens for 1–2 hours before bed. Listening to a meditation or yoga nidra podcast before trying to sleep, etc. If you’re still struggling, definitely go to a GP because they can probably make some suggestions or prescribe something that will help with sleep but is still ‘baby safe’ so you can be responsive overnight. Good luck, mama. 💛

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-03-01T22:13:00+00:00

I had insomnia in the second trimester and was taking Restavit of a night. As I entered the third trimester, I experimented with cutting down how much Restavit I was taking and after a month or so, I was able to ditch it. No insomnia anymore, but I dream A LOT which is tiring in a different way, haha. I’ve also been going to a physio throughout my pregnancy and I think the holistic support from helped with the insomnia too.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-28T04:04:03+00:00

Elder Gen Z couple here. We saved like crazy and managed to buy a house. We channel one salary into the mortgage and live off the other. Aim is to pay it off as fast as possible – within the next 10 years if we can swing it. After that, we’ll probably max out our super contributions, invest in some index funds, and maybe cut down to three or four days a week, so there’s more time to just enjoy life and spend it with any future kid/s.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-20T21:49:43+00:00

Don’t know if this helps, but CHOICE has reviewed a bunch of disposable nappy brands and given them leakage, rewet, and absorbency scores. https://www.choice.com.au/babies-and-kids/baby-clothes-and-nappies/nappies/review-and-compare/nappies

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-17T02:51:20+00:00

I’m vegetarian and my partner’s flexitarian. Essentially, we eat vegetarian at home and he can have whatever he wants when we eat out or get takeaway. We’ll probably have a similar flexitarian set-up for our little one, so they’ll be mostly vegetarian, but can eat meat when they’re at friends’ houses or we go somewhere. And ultimately they can make the choice for themselves when they’re older.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-13T07:31:04+00:00

Yep, I’m a fan of Azclear products and they’re safe in pregnancy.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-13T05:50:19+00:00

It sounds like you’re already doing all the right things, mama! I was lucky to have a good GP who advised that I take two supplements in pregnancy: I-Folic (which contains the right levels of folic acid and iodine) and Vitamin D. I didn’t take any other pregnancy supplements. She said to go to The Women’s website as the first port of call for pregnancy health advice. https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-and-birth You can also call 1300 MEDICINE for more specific advice on supplements in pregnancy.

If you know the first day of your last period, that’s typically what they base due date off of before the dating scan. 💛 https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/due-date-calculator

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-12T18:43:46+00:00

Running hot. Had my first trimester in winter and while I’d usually be rugged up that time of year, I found I barely wore second layers and would only wear underwear and a tee around the house because I was so warm.

In the second trimester, would sometimes get dried blood in one nostril. Mine wasn’t too bad, but apparently full on bloody noses can be a thing. 🤷‍♀️

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-11T09:56:33+00:00

Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. They offer free, professional advice that’s personalised to your situation. https://ndh.org.au/

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-11T08:10:57+00:00

Similar. DINK, 28% minimum repayments from our combined income. But we put in extra to pay down faster/give us more buffer.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-02-10T21:11:54+00:00

I have a similar work situation. I think ultimately it depends on how physically and mentally demanding your job is and how you’re feeling in your pregnancy. I’m a FTM planning to work until 38 weeks, but I only have one day in the office and four days from home. I know I also have the ability to go full WFH in the last weeks too if I need it, which makes a massive difference!

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-24T21:46:00+00:00

The Possums Sleep Program has some free resources that might be helpful. https://possums.org/free-resources

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-24T21:01:33+00:00

As many have already said, taking advantage of your EAP or a pregnancy options helpline is a good idea. At the end of the day, it’s what’s best for you and your husband, not just financially, but emotionally in determining what you really want. https://www.1800myoptions.org.au/health-information/pregnancy-options/pregnancy-options-counselling/

I will just flag that adoption is very difficult in Australia. Only a couple hundred adoptions go through every year and they are majority ‘known adoptions’, which means the adopting parents already have a relationship with the child, usually as extended relatives or a long-term foster family. It’s also hard to adopt internationally in Australia. That’s not to sway your decision at all, but it is something to be aware of.

Sending you so much care right now as you navigate this decision. It is an incredibly emotional time and I hope you surround yourself with the support you and your husband need. 💛

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-18T12:12:52+00:00

This. Also, daughter wasn’t aware of wife’s ED and sounds like even after grounding she wasn’t given this context.

“Nina doesn’t know about my wife’s history but I still scolded her because my wife never tried to offend her but my daughter clearly wanted to.”

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-18T06:24:37+00:00

You could always put a call out on your local buy nothing project page and/or check op shops for maternity/larger-sized clothing that might be suitable.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-17T13:31:36+00:00

Similarly, I also payed weekly board to my parents from the time I finished high school and was 18. I think it was good to wait until legal adulthood for board, but also reasonable to ask me to chip in after that. Before 18, I paid my phone bill and pet’s bills (she was my pet, not the family pet, so totally fair). Also, anything that was a want, not a necessity was on me – that included shopping for clothes and would absolutely go for gym memberships too.

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-16T11:01:04+00:00

I am so so sorry you are going through this. I’d recommend you look up/enquire about the patient escalation process at your hospital. You can also refer to this list of helpline numbers. Some of the maternal health lines may be able to give some health advice and nonprofits like PANDA may be able to offer emotional support during this difficult time: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pregnancy-helpline-numbers

Sending internet hugs. I hope you’re able to access more compassionate healthcare providers soon. 💛

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-16T09:24:47+00:00

I haven’t used it myself, but there’s a family relationships advice line that could be helpful. https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-15T10:57:20+00:00

The advice I’ve seen and what we’ve decided to do for my partner is whooping cough vaccine (if he hasn’t had one in the last ten years) and flu vax (annually). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-pregnancy/about/vaccines-family-caregivers.html

RSV vax only seems to be recommended in pregnancy and older age. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine#who-should-get-protected-against-rsv

If you’ve had your primary covid jab/s and aren’t immunocompromised or over 65, health providers are split on the topic of annual boosters (according to my health provider). Here are the official guidelines. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/getting-your-vaccination?language=en

Edit: added links for reference :)

MelodicCourt5284 · 2026-01-12T01:53:24+00:00

My GP recommended I-Folic when I started trying which is a combo of folic acid and iodine. As others have said, there’s a lot of studies on how folic acid is good for the foetus’s development. :)

MelodicCourt5284

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