What is so special about James Ruse or any other selective? (1 Viewer)

[financialwar]

I seriously don't see anything special about this school, don't know why so many Asians parents are so excited about it, the facility is old, the technology are outdated, the curriculum is standard BOS crap, the teachers are public grade, the students are average nerdy Asians (probably above average IQ but I don't think most JR students are at Mensa level) with pushy parents.

How would James Ruse fare if it was in a more academic competitive city like Shanghai or Hong Kong? I don't think James Ruse would be any near the top in Shanghai, considering many of the University affiliated schools, experimental schools or international schools has so much better specifics in almost everything, including the students.

 

[futuremidwife]

They always get da top atar thats why and da quality of the students

 

[Brian1800]

The only thing these Asian parents think of is the history of a school where students usually get the highest ATARs in NSW. Not that spectacular if you think about it, but apparently they are obsessed with it.

 

[Lithone]

The whole atmosphere of 99.95!!!!1!1

 

[Brian1800]

The whole atmosphere of 99.95!!!!1!1

Only about 10 or so students there get 99.95. Not really the whole atmosphere considering there's a lot of students. Lets just say it's a population where most students get 90 or above.

 

[Brian1800]

Done.

 

[enoilgam]

How would James Ruse fare if it was in a more academic competitive city like Shanghai or Hong Kong? I don't think James Ruse would be any near the top in Shanghai, considering many of the University affiliated schools, experimental schools or international schools has so much better specifics in almost everything, including the students.

You could argue that NSW has a better education system than China which would invalidate this comparison. The main reason the Gaokao is undergoing major reforms is because it isnt "fit for purpose", in that it encourages rote learning and is producing a class of professionals which lack the vision needed to drive innovation. The HSC can be criticised for the same thing, but it is nowhere near as bad as China's system.

Back on topic, but the main advantage of being at a selective school is the atmosphere and culture, which pushes people to excel. It doesnt work for everyone though.

 

[youngsky]

Reputation. They associate sending their child to a school known for producing the highest ATAR students (if they make it in) with securing a top-tier university place, and consequently a well paid job.

Having said this, I reckon probably the biggest difference between a selective school and a non-selective school is the students overall value of academic success and their motivation to pursue that success. I'm making assumptions here but from observation this is stressed so much more in Asian families and hence carries down to the children.

 

[financialwar]

You could argue that NSW has a better education system than China which would invalidate this comparison. The main reason the Gaokao is undergoing major reforms is because it isnt "fit for purpose", in that it encourages rote learning and is producing a class of professionals which lack the vision needed to drive innovation. The HSC can be criticised for the same thing, but it is nowhere near as bad as China's system.

That's why I stressed university affiliated school, experimental schools and international schools or schools with international divisions. These schools usually have the option not doing Gaokao, instead using IB, SAT etc, the students in these type of schools get into Harvard, Stanford etc.

 

[enoilgam]

Having said this, I reckon probably the biggest difference between a selective school and a non-selective school is the students overall value of academic success and their motivation to pursue that success. I'm making assumptions here but from observation this is stressed so much more in Asian families and hence carries down to the children.

I think it's part of a wider "immigrant" mentality - those from Asian and Indian backgrounds tend to focus on education and to a lesser extent, so do those from European backgrounds. Obviously it stems from the hardships immigrants face and their desire to see their kids have a "better life". Frustration sets in though because given the difference in circumstances and age, kids of immigrants dont often share their parents motivation.

However, with Europeans, they tend to emphasis property ownership as being the key to wealth over say having a good education. Dont get me wrong, they emphasise both, but I've noticed that European immigrants will look down on those who dont own property. Like, textbook conversation I have had with some relatives:

Me: Ohh, Joe Bloggs does accounting and he really enjoys it.
Relative: Yeh but he rents, at 40 you should have your own home. Too much going on holidays and wasting money, he should have at least one property by now given how much he makes.

Obviously it's a generalisation, but it's just a cultural difference I've noticed.

 

[enoilgam]

That's why I stressed university affiliated school, experimental schools and international schools or schools with international divisions. These schools usually have the option not doing Gaokao, instead using IB, SAT etc, the students in these type of schools get into Harvard, Stanford etc.

That's fair - but why exactly would they be "better" than Ruse?

 

[financialwar]

That's fair - but why exactly would they be "better" than Ruse?

Like everything?? Campus, Technology, Teachers, Curriculum, extra curriculum, university connections, government connections etc, most of these schools have campus like universities with accommodations for students, within these schools, they have international divisions for the talented and go through IB/SAT system, while other go through Gaokao.

James Ruse is really nothing more than few old buildings with overachieving Asians, they were overachievers before enter JR, it's not like JR have a system or environment that turn underachievers into overachievers. You put these students into say Parramatta high, then Parramatta will be the no1 atar school, the only variable JR have is the students, these is absolutely nothing intrinsically special about JR.

 

[Kiraken]

what's ur point

 

[enigma_1]

> James Ruse is an agricultural high school
> Australia has a comparative advantage in agriculture
> Therefore James Ruse is special

 

[enoilgam]

what's ur point

Can be asked about all of this guy's posts.

 

[nerdasdasd]

I seriously don't see anything special about this school, don't know why so many Asians parents are so excited about it, the facility is old, the technology are outdated, the curriculum is standard BOS crap, the teachers are public grade, the students are average nerdy Asians (probably above average IQ but I don't think most JR students are at Mensa level) with pushy parents.

How would James Ruse fare if it was in a more academic competitive city like Shanghai or Hong Kong? I don't think James Ruse would be any near the top in Shanghai, considering many of the University affiliated schools, experimental schools or international schools has so much better specifics in almost everything, including the students.

Australia isn't actually known for its secondary education but james ruse is considered the best in NSW, and yes you are right about international schools being better.

There is a known reputation that people from JR that people will do well (very high ATARs and go8 uni's), so that's why people see it as special.

In relation to international schools, they are often in countries that have a culture that places more value on education.... So of course they would fare better than JR.

 

[astroman]

99.95

/thread

 

[iStudent]

Like everything?? Campus, Technology, Teachers, Curriculum, extra curriculum, university connections, government connections etc, most of these schools have campus like universities with accommodations for students, within these schools, they have international divisions for the talented and go through IB/SAT system, while other go through Gaokao.

James Ruse is really nothing more than few old buildings with overachieving Asians, they were overachievers before enter JR, it's not like JR have a system or environment that turn underachievers into overachievers. You put these students into say Parramatta high, then Parramatta will be the no1 atar school, the only variable JR have is the students, these is absolutely nothing intrinsically special about JR.

Hey.
No need to put down parra

 

[RivalryofTroll]

It's fair to argue that the school itself (facilities, teachers, infrastructure, etc.) isn't anything ''special'' - I mean, if we wanted to talk about 'special schools' in that context, let's just talk about King's, Knox Grammar and the other private schools out there.

Even if they do take the cream of the crop in Year 6, through the selective test, it's amazing how James Ruse has been ranked 1st, in terms of the HSC school rankings, for 18 consecutive years. Will be 19 consecutive years soon enough.

Meanwhile, there really hasn't been a school that has held onto the 2nd position for a long period of time (i.e. many consecutive years).

 

[youngsky]

I think it's part of a wider "immigrant" mentality - those from Asian and Indian backgrounds tend to focus on education and to a lesser extent, so do those from European backgrounds. Obviously it stems from the hardships immigrants face and their desire to see their kids have a "better life". Frustration sets in though because given the difference in circumstances and age, kids of immigrants dont often share their parents motivation.

However, with Europeans, they tend to emphasis property ownership as being the key to wealth over say having a good education. Dont get me wrong, they emphasise both, but I've noticed that European immigrants will look down on those who dont own property. Like, textbook conversation I have had with some relatives:

Me: Ohh, Joe Bloggs does accounting and he really enjoys it.
Relative: Yeh but he rents, at 40 you should have your own home. Too much going on holidays and wasting money, he should have at least one property by now given how much he makes.

Obviously it's a generalisation, but it's just a cultural difference I've noticed.

Yeah that's true, what I was meaning to say was that in cases where that immigrant mentality is shared by the children, they would be more prevalent in the selective schools.

That's an interesting observation, though it sounds a bit counterintuitive? Like if property ownership entails either a) inheriting property or b) purchasing one's own, then wouldn't the latter be most simply achieved by getting a good education -> stable job? Or I guess the idea might be that owning a property in itself is more likely to be seen as a huge milestone/threshold in European families...then again, I'm Asian, so this is just speculation.

James Ruse is really nothing more than few old buildings with overachieving Asians, they were overachievers before enter JR, it's not like JR have a system or environment that turn underachievers into overachievers. You put these students into say Parramatta high, then Parramatta will be the no1 atar school, the only variable JR have is the students, these is absolutely nothing intrinsically special about JR.

Aren't you answering your own question? Or was this thread meant to stir debate against JR and other selective schools?