avondale grammar school

Enrolment FAQ

Are you affiliated with any school in Australia?

We are not aligned with any schools in Australia. We are a privately-owned school in Singapore only.

We regularly visit independent schools in Australia to ensure we are in line with pedagogy and curriculum ideas. Schools visited in 2008 include Sydney Grammar, The Emanuel School, Moriah College, Scots College, Ravenswood and Highfields Public School.

Are parents involved in the school?

Our parents are very involved in our school. Parent helpers are sought for the school athletics and swimming carnivals. Parents are key organisers for our charity events such as Heroes Day (a fundraiser to raise money for the bushfire victims in Victoria).
The Parents Association is also very active in the school organising whole school social events and fundraisers such as the school picnic, the children’s disco and the trivia night.

What is the school’s approach to homework?

At Avondale we believe homework is a learning experience, developing self-directed and autonomous learners. Our school supports the concept of regular homework as it enables students to be independent learners, improves organisational skills and is a link between home and school. Our homework policy aims to motivate students to consolidate their learning and develop self-esteem.

The recommended time spent on homework is as follows;

Kindergarten to Year 2: 15 to 20 minutes
Year 3: 30 minutes
Year 4: 30 minutes
Year 5: 45 minutes
Year 6: 45 minutes

Children are also expected to read for at least 15 minutes each night.

What is your ratio of boys to girls?

We have an even mix of boys and girls. The ratio of boys to girls for the whole school for 2009 was 57% boy and 43% girls.

Where are the majority of the teachers from?

We have teachers from all over the world (Australia, India, Canada, and Singapore). In 2009 70% of our full time teachers are from Australia.

What nationality are the children at the school?

60% of the children are Australian nationals; the remaining 40% of our children are made up of British, European and Asian Pacific families.

How well does the school perform academically?

Avondale Grammar School performed significantly above the Australian average in the 2008 NAPLAN assessments in both numeracy and literacy.

Analysis of results for 2008 at Avondale Grammar School

The results below are The National Assessments that were completed by the Years 3 and 5 students at Avondale Grammar School. Below is a comparison with the State Schools within Australia in the area of Literacy and Numeracy with Avondale.

Year 3

Literacy - The literacy areas that were assessed were reading, writing, spelling and grammar and punctuation

Avondale State
84% in Band 6 and 5 49% in Band 6 and 5
16% in Band 4 and 3 42% in Band 4 and 3
0% in Band 2 and 1 9% in Band 2 and 1

Numeracy - The numeracy areas that were assessed were number, patterns and algebra, measurement and data, space and geometry

Avondale State
66% in Band 6 and 5 40% in Band 6 and 5
33% in Band 4 and 3 50% in Band 4 and 3
0% in Band 2 and 1 10% in Band 2 and 1

The total number of children in Year 3 that completed the National Assessment was 12. The results in Numeracy and Literacy were well above the state average, as is evident by the high percentage of children in the top bands (Band 6 and 5).

Year 5

Literacy - The literacy areas that were assessed were reading, writing, spelling and grammar and punctuation

Avondale State
66% in Band 8 and 7 32% in Band 8 and 7
33% in Band 5 and 5 55% in Band 6 and 5

0% in Band 4

0% in Band 3

9% in Band 2 and 1

4% in Band 3

Numeracy - The numeracy areas that were assessed were number, patterns and algebra, measurement and data, space and geometry

Avondale State
44% in Band 8 and 7 26% in Band 8 and 7
55% in Band 5 and 5 53% in Band 6 and 5
0% in Band 4 and 3 20% in Band 4 and 3

The total number of students in Year 5 that completed the National Assessment for 2008 was 9. The results in Numeracy and Literacy were well above the state average, as is evident by the high percentage of children in the top bands (Band 8 and 7).

How are children recognised in the school?

Due to our smaller class sizes our teachers fully understand all their students and are able to provide extra help in areas of learning difficulty and extend students who show interest and/or ability in a particular area. We have a merit system in place whereby children are recognised with merit certificates for qualities such as leadership, personal achievement, friendship and teamwork. Children are also given opportunities to be recognised and acknowledged through performance and presentations at assemblies and concerts – every child has an important part to play at Avondale.

After following the curriculum at Avondale how will my child fit into another curriculums such as IB or a British system?

Avondale Grammar School teaches the New South Wales Primary Syllabus from Kindergarten through to Year 6. In Years 3 and 5 our students sit the National Assessment Program in Numeracy and Literacy (NAPLAN) and are assessed against students in the NSW curriculum in Australia.

There are specific learning outcomes for each stage and whilst the curriculum terminology and content may differ between Northern and Southern hemispheres the learning outcomes and standards are very similar. Therefore a child leaving Avondale Grammar School in Year 6 will be able to continue if necessary in a different curriculum for secondary school.

What is the background of the Headmaster?

Mr Tait has been in primary education for over 17 years including Sydney Grammar School, Newington College and Masada College in Australia. He has taught in both co-educational environments, disadvantaged and single sex schools and was head of Primary for 4 years at Masada College (a co-educational independent Jewish School). He has a wealth of experience and an extremely hands-on approach to leading his team at Avondale.