Since 2003 Kindergarten numbers at Barnier have grown form 71 to 103 in an area with strong private school competitors, and no population growth. Barnier is not alone.

It is one of hundreds of public schools listed in a document provided to the Daily Telegraph under the Freedom of Information Act that are leading the charge back to public education.

With rising interest rates and tighter household budgets, there appears to be more reason than ever for parents to reassess the value of spending up to $20,000 in private school fees.

Principal Rod Gibbs, an enthusiastic salesman of his school’s achievements, says the key is a vision for the school that embraces the needs of students.

There is a strong focus on cutting-edge technology, including replacing old-fashioned chalkboards with digital “Smartboards”in every class-room, plus more than 300 computers.

The public schools document details every school that has experienced strong enrolment growth between 2003 and 2008 for Kindergarten, Year 7 and Year 11.

Across Sydney, in mortgage belt areas, the inner west and even the more affluent north, where private schools dominate, schools have in some cases doubled their student intakes. Overall, the statistics show public schools have a best only held numbers. But there is evidence that individual schools that have meshed with the needs of local parents are winning back students.

In Kindergarten classes, Rozelle Public in Sydney’s inner west has grown from 35 to 85 students, Narrabeen North from 88 to 134 and Greystanes Public from 34 to 72.

Year 7 is also mounting a fight back – Canley Vale High in Sydney’s southwest is up from 122 to 209, Hunters Hill from 48 to 132 and Killarney Heights up from 102 to 160.

The education shift to private schools in the 1990s is undeniable.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show form 1996 to 2006, about 46,000 primary and 19,000 high school students swapped to the non-government sector. NSW secondary schools had 67.1 per cent of all students in 1996. By 2006 it was down to 60.8 per cent.

Now some schools have analysed what parents are looking for to turn back this trend.

Barnier’s website shows a tidy campus with well-tended gardens and beaming students proudly in uniforms. The school’s only charge is a $65 voluntary fee.

Barnier mother Deborah Wicks was sending her son Christopher to a kindergarten at a Catholic school, before she opted for Barnier.

She had been frustrated with Christopher’s progress so popped in to look at Barnier. She was immediately hooked and enrolled her son. “The quality of the education, the teachers and the technology at Barnier was what got me,” she says.

Rose Bay Public School in Sydney’s east is winning in an old money area. Surrounded by prestigious independents, it’s Kindergarten class is up from 43 to 88. Total school enrolments have increased from 243 in 2003 to 432.

“Our quality teaching has lured many,” says Principal Brian Harris. “People are savvy, they believe this is the right space for their child and we are getting more of the affluent Rose Bay and Double Bay families.

“You provide a quality environment and parents are going to be very happy.”

Department deputy director general (schools) Trevor Fletcher says the trend to public schools predated rising interest rates.

“Its about authentic improvement – there has been genuine innovation around ICT (Information Communication Technology) and a strong focus on literacy and numeracy,” he says.

“Parents are looking beyond just a school’s physical attributes to the quality teaching and leadership they are providing.”

Fletcher says a central theme of what is occurring is that schools are focusing on a more personal approach with parents.

The swing back to public schools has been even more pronounced at Year 11. Where once parents saved their pennies for an elite school for the Higher School Certificate, there is now a more pragmatic approach.

Parents are seeking schools with excellent HCS results, and care less about whether they are public or private. The department has also restructured many high schools into networked colleges, greatly expanding subject choice.

Schools with booming Year 11 numbers include Sydney Secondary College at Blackwattle Bay, Wyndham College, Great Lakes Senior College, Kogarah High and Ryde Secondary.

Killara High - usually in the top 20 performers in any HSC achievement list - is now approaching the private sector for assistance in expanding its stretched facilities.

There are 48,347 students in Year 11 in public schools this year, slightly up from 48,278 five years ago.

At the Freshwater campus, part of Northern Beaches Secondary College, students have access to up to 50 subjects – swamping the usual 20 at most private schools.

There are good TAFE College links too, an option for those looking in non-academic career direction.
Freshwater’s enrolment is up 19 students on five years ago.

The learning environment is also flexible; meaning a senior student with a first class at 10am is not required to be at school until then.

Pikardt proudly says his school produced the Northern Region’s top UAI student last year, beating nearby Manly Selective.

Rebecca Duncan, 17, of North Manly, loved Freshwater so much she left elite Roseville College which has annual fees of $18,300.

Rebecca, who sits her Higher School Certificate this year, made the choice in 2006 after inspecting newly-rebuilt Freshwater campus.

Jane Caro, who co-wrote The Stupid Country: How Australia Is Dismantling Public Education, argues the public schools that are doing well are those with strong parental involvement and support.

“Wherever schools look like there is some effort and energy, people look on and think that is where I want to send my kids,” she says. Caro sent her daughter to Mosman High , firmly in private school territory.

After being at university for some time, her daughter returned from a ski trip with friends who had attended some of Sydney’s elite private schools with an observation.

"She said: “They talk like me, they dress like me, and they get similar marks to me. So what did their parents get for the fees they paid?”

'Reproduced with Permission from The Daily Telegraph '

Retrieved 9th August 2008 from ww.dailytelegraph.com.au