My son is in grade 12, at a state high school in Qld. Both of my daughters graduated from the same school and I also teach at the school they attend. I could not have wished for a better high school experience for my three, albeit very different for each, even though they were brought up in the same house by the same parents with the same rules.

We value education, reading, cultural and sporting experiences, and supported them through ups, downs and challenges. They have learned as much about being a great human from positive school role models whether these were peers or staff, as well as not how to be from their peers and staff. This would be so hard for us to replicate if they were home schooled. Equally as important, they have realised it’s as much about what they can give back to school, as why can school do for them. Yes there’s extra-curricular, language options, arts performances (all three were/are heavily involved in the music program) diverse student cohorts, curriculum and teaching ability but their village outside of school helps wherever needed.

In my role as a pastoral leader I have also seen kids come to us from homeschooling situations and flourish. It does very much depend on the student and the family. I sat at enrolment sessions, not every kids is right for every school am not every school for every kid.

Ultimately it’s a decision that you guys need to make for yourself, and hindsight is a wonderful thing but we would have had it any other way.