This Month
‘Cruiser schools’ and why parents might not be getting what they pay for
Australia has one of the most privatised school systems in the world, but national data suggests not all students are benefiting from their costly educations.
- Julie Hare
- Exclusive
- NAPLAN
The surprise elite schools that are failing academically
Parents spending $30,000-plus to send their children to high-fee private schools expect educational returns. The truth is more complex.
- Updated
- Julie Hare
November
Cranbrook gets its first female head as co-education looms
Anne Johnstone, a former commercial litigation lawyer, trained as an English and history teacher and has been head of Ravenswood School for Girls since 2016.
- Julie Hare
October
Nine money tips for new parents (and parents-to-be)
Your budget, salary and superannuation are just some of the things that could take a hit when having a baby. But by planning ahead, you can save on many of the costs.
- Michelle Bowes
Why we should all learn to be OK with embarrassment
If we let fear of failing and ego get in the way, we will stop trying and stop moving forward, says this high-profile education leader.
- Sally Patten and Lap Phan
September
The cost of sending your child to a private school – in seven charts
Just one year of tuition at a top-range private school will set you back at least $40,000, but demand keeps growing.
- Julie Hare
- Exclusive
- School funding
The suburbs where nearly every child goes to a private school
In some suburbs, parents don’t ask whether to go public or private; it’s more a question of which private school to send their kids to.
- Julie Hare
Parents’ eye-watering education bills don’t end with school
Helping kids get started in life has arguably never been more expensive. Plan and save early, experts say. We’ve also found the most generous scholarships available.
- Michelle Bowes
Robot dog, but no staff super: Canberra private school in trouble
A private school in Canberra, which has been entangled with numerous legal battles over governance and financial management, is set to be deregistered.
- Julie Hare
August
As a state school graduate, I believe in private schools
A British financier explains why she educated her children privately, even though the government gave her a good education.
- Helena Morrissey
June
Newington College chairman clocks up 17 years (and counting)
There is nothing so compelling as private school politics.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
Former Cranbrook teacher sues school alleging unsafe environment
Sydney private school Cranbrook is dealing with a new legal action brought by a former teacher who alleges the environment was unsafe for female staff.
- Updated
- Max Mason and Julie Hare
Cranbrook settles with former headmaster, but ABC in line of fire
Nicholas Sampson says he has been “vindicated”, but he still has an axe to grind with the national broadcaster over its “Four Corners” program.
- Julie Hare and Kylar Loussikian
May
‘Managing editor’ search keeps the bonfire going at Newington
The extravagant addition would bring the number of media staffers at the school to five.
- Lucas Baird
March
Poor kids who choose the IB do better than rich kids who don’t: study
Jasmine Werneberg says the International Baccalaureate she did at high school was more academically rigorous than her business-law degree at university.
- Julie Hare
- Exclusive
- Schools
Emails revealed as ousted Cranbrook head hires top silk
If Cranbrook governing council thought a quick resignation from headmaster Nicholas Sampson would bring about a swift end to its media agony, it was wrong.
- Kylar Loussikian and Julie Hare
What happens behind closed doors at Australia’s elite schools
The saga at Sydney’s Cranbrook School could trigger a new wave of accountability for how private schools operate.
- Julie Hare
Clare threatens to take funding away from Cranbrook
Education Minister Jason Clare has threatened to withdraw federal funding from Cranbrook School if an investigation finds “evidence of a pattern of immoral or unethical behaviour”.
- Julie Hare
Cranbrook head wanted $2m to leave two years ago: sources
The death of Nicholas Sampson’s brother in a car accident would have been used as a pretext for the headmaster’s retirement, a confidential document shows.
- Aaron Patrick, Julie Hare and Myriam Robin
Cranbrook to overhaul whistleblowing, child protection, bullying
Cranbrook School has written to its community with a raft of measures designed to restore trust in the school’s management and governance.
- Julie Hare
