I have to agree with Sphynx here. She has described the Australian Education System perfectly.
However, this very complacent and careless attitude is a bonus, as I am sure you would agree. Russia, like most Asian countries, suffers from overpopulation, underemployement and and a weak infrastructure. Hence, to get anywhere, each student must be drilled from a very tender age.
Since Australia is under none of the above constraints, other talents can be nurtured. For a country home to as many people as Tokyo, our Olympic achievements are magnificient. This is partly because, in primary school, and perhaps up until year 10, such extra-curricular activities (and many others) and encouraged. At the risk of sounding cliched, it is a holistic approach to education.
Having studied abroad for quite some time myself, (though not as much as Sphynx), I am certain of which of the two I prefer.
The only anomaly, of course, being the high standards of English taught...unfortunately...