Hi,

I'm moving from melb. to cairns over the next few months and have been looking at schools. I have three children, 2 of which are in primary school. They currently go to a catholic school in melb. and wanted to hear from anyone who has currently has their children in school and what areas would be the best to live in? Initially we will be renting.

I'm terrified of the humidity! I love heat but not quite sure on the humidity. I was in Newcastle during summer and that was bad enough so not really sure what I'm in for. Everytime I have visited Cairns it has been during July/August to escape winter in Melbourne!

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Melissa

Hi, firstly if your coming here in a few months thats when it starts to cool off so you should have good timing and get here during the cooler months and then hopefully you will be climitised by the time the end of the year comes. march is when it starts to cool off, somedays it gets cold (nice for the people from down south).

I didnt go to any schools in Cairns but had cousins and friends who went there and are sending their kids there.

St Augustin's is a very good boys catholic school with St Monica's being the females school. my cousin went to st augustins and went from very low achieving to very high achieving. I also know some girls who went to St Monicas and they said it was very strict but very good. not sure what year it starts though, i think its only high school. That is in Cairns CBD.

My friends have put their children in a private primary school in Smithfield (north side of Cairns) they say its a really good school cause the class sizes are extremely small but very strict. the school uniform consists of navy blue knickers and navy blue hairtie. knickers are a bit extreme i think but it sounds like a very good school.

As to which places to live - normally the beaches and smithfield are the best places to live in but are more expensive i think.

Good luck. I live 2 hours away from Cairns (West) if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask (or send me a message). Depending on why you are moving to Cairns maybe a more cooler climate is better for you (you just have to drive). Mareeba and Atherton are 40mins to an hour away from Cairns but are much cooler and more smaller towns smile

Hi, firstly if your coming here in a few months thats when it starts to cool off so you should have good timing and get here during the cooler months and then hopefully you will be climitised by the time the end of the year comes. march is when it starts to cool off, somedays it gets cold (nice for the people from down south).

I didnt go to any schools in Cairns but had cousins and friends who went there and are sending their kids there.

St Augustin's is a very good boys catholic school with St Monica's being the females school. my cousin went to st augustins and went from very low achieving to very high achieving. I also know some girls who went to St Monicas and they said it was very strict but very good. not sure what year it starts though, i think its only high school. That is in Cairns CBD.

My friends have put their children in a private primary school in Smithfield (north side of Cairns) they say its a really good school cause the class sizes are extremely small but very strict. the school uniform consists of navy blue knickers and navy blue hairtie. knickers are a bit extreme i think but it sounds like a very good school.

As to which places to live - normally the beaches and smithfield are the best places to live in but are more expensive i think.

Good luck. I live 2 hours away from Cairns (West) if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask (or send me a message). Depending on why you are moving to Cairns maybe a more cooler climate is better for you (you just have to drive). Mareeba and Atherton are 40mins to an hour away from Cairns but are much cooler and more smaller towns smile

Thanks so much Manda for your help. I'm looking at realestate.com.au now for houses.

I'll keep hunting for more info. on schools. I'm so nervous and anxious about this move. If we didn't have children it would be so much easier but they are the biggest worry for me. Always worrying about how they're going to settle into school and having them start all over again. Anyway...thanks again for your help : )

Hi Melissa,
Have a look at Trinity Anglican School - there is one on the southside of Cairns, and one on the northern near the beaches. TAS has a very good reputation. We are looking at sending my boy there when he's old enough... The southside of Cairns, is alot cheaper than the northern beaches...there has been alot of new residental development, and therefore, it's quite cheap at present. Mt Sheridan/Forest Gardens is only about 10 minutes from Cairns city via the "back road" and almost accross the road from TAS school. Edmonton is slightly cheaper again, and about another 5-10 minutes south from Mt Sheridan, depending on where abouts in Edmonton.

Edge Hill/Whitfield is a very prominent area with a Edge Hill Primary School. It has a fantastic reputation, and great for primaray school. It can be expensive here, as it's 5 minutes to the airport, botanical gardens, and the city.

The beaches are also great to live - more expensive than the southside. New developments like Smithfield Village seem reasonable. Clifton Beach & Palm Cove beaches are lovely places to live if you want to be near the beach, but can be very expensive.

I grew up in Cairns, and went to Edge Hill State School, and Smithfield High - they were both great. But if you are looking at private, TAS would be worth a look.

All the best. Let me know if i can help with anything else.