Q: How many students are there at SOTE?

A: There are 140 students currently attending SOTE, from Grade One to Year 12.

Q: How do SOTE students perform academically?

A: The School has an outstanding record of academic achievement. Virtually all students are admitted to the tertiary courses of their choice after completing Year 12. In recent years, OP’s have ranged from 1 to 12.

Q: How are sport and physical education handled at SOTE?

A: SOTE students have daily fitness classes and participate in weekly sport classes learning co-ordination and the skills of games such as basketball, football, tennis, soccer, water sports etc. Lower primary students are exposed to a unique program of specialised movement activities to enhance and fine-tune the neuro-muscular system.

Q: What is SOTE’s attitude to competition?

A: Instead of creating a few ‘stars’, SOTE assists every child to achieve personal excellence through nurturing their innate talents. The whole school environment fosters attitudes of mutual support, encouragement and co-operation and plays down competitive motivation.

Q: Is education at SOTE expensive?

A: No. The School deliberately caps parents’ fees at a lower than average level for independent schools. Annual fees for children in Grades 1 to 12 are $2,200 for one child, $4,100 for two children and $5,800 for three children or more.

Q: Why is there such a low student to teacher ratio at SOTE?

A: Total Education involves developing the whole person and not just cultivating a narrow range of abilities and so a considerable amount of time, energy and care has to be put in on each child. This ensures that all facets of the individual’s growth can be nurtured over time. Meeting this challenge is more possible in small groups where every child receives the attention they need.

Q: What is expected of SOTE parents?

A: Parents are asked to give time and attention to continue reflecting on their parenting. The School assists them in this undertaking through the weekly Parents Program. Issues confronted by parents raising children in a modern society are discussed in small groups. Parents share their experiences, offer suggestions and lend mutual support.

Q: Why doesn’t SOTE normally enrol new students at secondary level?

A: Total Education is a long-term process which is best started as early as possible. This is one of the reasons the School regards the early years as vital. As well, the secondary classes are virtually full with students who have come through from primary classes.

Q: What is the ‘Time Out’ year?

A: The Time-Out Year is an extra year between Year 7 and Year 8. Students attend for the normal school day and cover one hour per day of formal academic studies. The rest of the program is planned by students with the teacher as facilitator. Students discover their strengths and weaknesses and learn how to develop an intrinsic motivation for their studies.

Copyright The School of Total Education 2006.