 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Which Primary School For Your Child Ash Nallawalla ash@melbpc.org.au |
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A fellow member of Melb PC, John Gerrard, runs Primary Press, which has published a CD-ROM entitled Which Primary School For Your Child? (WPSFYC). Also available as a printed publication, WPSFYC is a compilation of information about some 900 Melbourne area primary schools.
Once their toddler has entered kindergarten (or earlier), parents will invariably think about a suitable primary school for their child. Many parents do not have the resources to make an informed decision, so a handy compilation such as WPSFYC is valuable.
The information on the CD-ROM requires the user to possess a Web browser that supports frames and JavaScript. The simple instruction on the CD-ROM reads, "Point your Web Browser at Index.htm". Unfortunately, the local school principal to whom I lent the CD-ROM returned it with the comment that she did not have an Internet connection so she could not view it.
Actually, one merely needs to start a Web browser and use the "File/Open" method to view the CD-ROM. Alternatively, use Windows Explorer (in Windows 95) to double-click on the file name, which opens your browser as well. No Internet connection is needed, unless you wish to follow some of the provided links.
The information is provided in the following groupings:
- All schools (in school-name order)
- All schools (in suburb order)
- Catholic schools (in suburb order)
- Private/independent schools (in suburb order)
- State schools (in suburb order).
The product also contains tips for using the CD-ROM, some maps, and
educational links.
Although I did not see the printed version, I feel it is the better option because the electronic version
does not exploit the computer to any depth. Each school's entry is a separate file and the only search tool
is the one in your browser (Edit/Find), so you cannot search for, say, all schools that teach Italian. You
have to browse through the lot, at least in the suburbs of interest, assuming you know the names of adjoining
suburbs. You cannot search for, say, single-sex or Jewish schools.
Many schools, particularly the Catholic ones, did not bother to supply information, so you are left with just
a phone number and address. Of the first 20 Catholic schools in the suburban list, 13 did not supply
information. Perhaps people who are looking for a "Catholic school" don't need any more information? Speaking
as a product of such schools, this disappoints me.
Of the first 20 independent schools, all 20 provided details, which does not surprise me. Some of them did
not reveal their fees. Of the first 20 State schools, only two did not provide information.
Overall, WPSFYC is a good resource for parents and well worth the price.
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Reprinted from the July 1998 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
