top of page

Choosing the Right School for Your Child

written by Mr Paul Halford

How do I choose the right school?

Choosing the right school for your child is often a challenging and daunting task. 


As someone who has been a principal of seven international schools in four countries including Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia, friends often ask me for my advice regarding enrolling their child in what they would like to regard as the best school for their child. 


After 40 years in education, I have concluded that facilities and resources are important but not the number one indicator of a quality school.  A school might have a swimming pool, football fields, high speed wifi but these do not guarantee a good school.

为孩子选择一所合适的学校往往是一项具有挑战性和艰巨的任务。

作为一位曾在澳洲、马来西亚、印度尼西亚和巴布亚新几内亚这四个国家里担任过七所国际学校的校长,经常有朋友询问我的意见,该如何为他们的孩子选择最合适的学校。

从事了40年的教育工作,我认为,一所有水准的学校,设备和资源是重要的,但却不是首要的考虑。一所学校可能有游泳池、足球场和高速的无线上网设备。但这些都不能保证它会是一所好学校。

Quality of teachers

My first advice to anyone deciding on a school for their child would be to find out about the teacher quality in the school.  Teachers are the number one resource in any school.  I advise that all parents should inquire about the following:

Are the teachers qualified?

What percentage of the teachers have higher degrees – eg: Masters

What professional development programs have the school provided?

What recent training in First Aid, Duty of Care, Occupational Health and Safety has been provided?

Does the school use external educational consultants to enhance its teacher training?

我给任何一位正在决定为孩子选择学校的人的首要建议是了解该校的老师的素质。老师在任何一所学校都是最重要的资源。我建议所有的家长应该询问以下几点:

老师是否有职教资格?

百分之几的老师有高学历?例如:硕士学位

学校提供什么样的专业发展项目?

是否提供急救、看管的责任、健康与安全的培训?

学校是否聘请校外顾问以加强老师的培训?

School's Performance Management

I would also advise parents to inquire into the school’s Performance Management programs.  Teachers need to be constantly striving to improve their performance.  However, this needs to be through a thorough and accountable process.  Too many schools leave teachers’ development to chance or “experience”.


Then I would suggest that parents inquire about the programs of study organised by the school:

Are there Yearly plans?  Unit plans? Lesson Plans?

How are these programs of study evaluated and improved?

How are assessments organised?

How are assessments and examinations moderated?

同时,我也建议家长去查询学校的表现管理计划。老师需要不断努力提升自己的工作表现。然而,这项表现管理计划必须是透彻,全面且可以让各方有所交代的。有太多的学校把老师的发展交给机会或“经验”。

因此,我也建议家长去询问关于学校组织的学习项目:

该校是否设有年度计划、单元计划、课程计划?  

该校怎么评估和改进以上三项计划?

该校怎样策划评估?

该校如何调整考试和评估?

Pastoral Care & Values Program

Next, parent should also be inquiring about the pastoral care and value programs that the school is providing:

Is there a clear and consistent program to develop students’ character and values?

Are there avenues for students beyond the classroom?

Does the school put importance in the development of leadership skills, through a rich array of CCA & ECA activities?

Does the school seek to develop mindful citizens who are engaged with the community at large?

家长接着要查询的是关于学校提供辅导和价值观的项目。该校是否有一个明确的,一致的项目来培养学生的品行和价值观呢?

该校是否有明确而一致的方案来培养学生的品行和价值观?

学生在课堂之外是否有发挥的余地?

该校是否着重通过丰富的课外学习活动和课外活动来发展他们的领导技能?

该校是否会培养学生的公民意识,让他们积极投入社会活动?

Health & Safety Standards

I would also advise parents to look into the school’s health and safety standards.


Does the school place priority on the safety and care of your child? 

Are teachers and school staff attentive to the health and medical conditions of your child?

Does the school work to develop healthy eating through its catering plans?

Are there protective measures in place to handle cases of emergencies?

我也建议家长参考学校的健康与安全标准。

该校是否有优先考虑您的孩子的安全保障?

该校的老师和职员是否注意您的孩子的健康和医疗状况?

该校是否通过餐饮计划提倡健康饮食?

该校是否有防护措施来处理紧急状况?

Relationship between students & teachers

Finally, I would advised parents to visit the school to see first-hand the relationships between the students and the teachers.  

Are they positive, affirming and nurturing relationships?   

Does the school feel welcoming?  

Are there well-developed channels of communication between home and school?

最后,我也会建议家长去参观学校,这可以直接地看见老师和学生之间的关系。

老师在培育学生方面,是否对学生起到了正面的,积极肯定的作用?

该校是否表现友好?

该校和家长之间是否有良好的沟通平台?

Visit Us Today!

Choosing a school for your child is a very important decision, and one, which also requires your financial investment into your child’s life at a young age. As a grandfather and experienced educator, I understand just how important that decision making process will be for your family. 


I am pleased to invite you to Destiny to answer these questions for yourself.  We can arrange a personal tour of our premises.  This will allow you to see our teachers at work, our learner’s involvement, our classrooms, facilities and any other aspect you would like to know more about. 


We are very proud of Destiny and are very happy to provide this opportunity for you to Visit Us, as you determine the best school for your child.

为您的孩子选择一所正确的学校是一件非常重要的决定,另外,这也需要您在孩子年幼时进行投资。作为一个祖父,也是一名经验丰富的教育家,我明白在做选择的过程对您的家庭有多重要。

我很乐于邀请你前来Destiny 寻找你要的答案。我们可以安排您参观我们的环境。这可以让您看到在工作中的老师,参与其中的学生和我们的教室,设施,以及任何您所想要知道更多的东西。

当您在为孩子选择最好的学校时,我们Destiny 很荣幸能为您提供这个机会来参观我们的学校。

bottom of page