Which schools suit what your child loves?

Review Subject range and curiosity

Yes, Brisbane State High offered a wide range of subject choices, from sciences and humanities to arts, music, and sport-focused electives. There were also a lot of extracurricular activities like debating, clubs, and representative sport, which helped students explore interests outside the classroom.… Read all

Yes, Brisbane State High offered a wide range of subject choices, from sciences and humanities to arts, music, and sport-focused electives. There were also a lot of extracurricular activities like debating, clubs, and representative sport, which helped students explore interests outside the classroom. Some subjects had hands-on projects or excursions, which made learning more engaging and went beyond just preparing for exams.

Review Would you recommend it?

Yes, I would recommend Brisbane State High School. It offers a lot of opportunities, both academically and through extracurricular activities like sport, music, and clubs. The school has a strong reputation, great facilities, and a diverse student community. It can be competitive and fast-paced, but… Read all

Yes, I would recommend Brisbane State High School. It offers a lot of opportunities, both academically and through extracurricular activities like sport, music, and clubs. The school has a strong reputation, great facilities, and a diverse student community. It can be competitive and fast-paced, but if you’re motivated, it’s a great environment to grow in.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

There were no drama clubs. However, the school does encourage art production as they host a popular festival of creativity once a year, which encourages students to submit artwork and to perform dances. The school also has a strings and band ensemble.

Review What had the biggest impact

…following term when their teacher left and a new one came in. Although my experience wasn't as dramatic, teachers were still incredibly important. While some teachers helped me understand the concept immediately, others like my chemistry teacher were confusing and I ended up having to resort to external… Read all

Teachers had a massive impact on the students, and it was obvious through the students' grades. For example, in Grade 10, one of the science classes had a much higher fail rate than the rest of the other classes for an exam. The difference? The teacher. I had friends from that class improve substantially the following term when their teacher left and a new one came in. Although my experience wasn't as dramatic, teachers were still incredibly important. While some teachers helped me understand the concept immediately, others like my chemistry teacher were confusing and I ended up having to resort to external tutoring to understand. It was also a shame that the school had a high staff turnover rate. I had three different English teachers in Grade 11 because they kept leaving. This was particularly frustrating as personal feedback (e.g. feedback on progress over different exams) is incredibly important in subjective subjects such as English. When new teachers come in, they know nothing about you or your knowledge as a student, and thus their feedback is limited and may not be as helpful as it could be.

Review What we like and dislike

I like the academic programs the school provides and the music and culture programs. I dislike the bullying system and child support the school gives.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

There used to be more opportunities but COVID heavily impacted a lot of the clubs and performances. There was meant to be a musical every 2/3 years but due to lockdowns it got delayed significantly. The choirs started back up again a year before I left though, and there were different choirs for different vocal skill levels.

Review What we like and dislike

…awareness. Good music and sports programs. Modern facilities, especially the science labs and the new performing arts centre Dislikes: The school can feel quite large and sometimes a bit impersonal. Parking and drop-off zones are often congested. Read all

Likes: Dedicated teachers who go out of their way to support students. Strong academic focus with extension and enrichment options. Diverse cultural environment that teaches respect and global awareness. Good music and sports programs. Modern facilities, especially the science labs and the new performing arts centre Dislikes: The school can feel quite large and sometimes a bit impersonal. Parking and drop-off zones are often congested.

Review The parent community

Indooroopilly SHS is a fairly large school, so the parent community isn’t especially close-knit overall. However, parents involved in specific programs (like music, sports teams or P&C) do get to know each other and form connections. There are regular concerts, information nights and events that give parents chances to meet.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

…opportunities for the arts. They have amazing art studios with great resources. They have drama studios and a great theatre. They have good film technology. For music they have an array of instruments and recording studios which students even used to produce their own music. They have showcase nights… Read all

They have so so many opportunities for the arts. They have amazing art studios with great resources. They have drama studios and a great theatre. They have good film technology. For music they have an array of instruments and recording studios which students even used to produce their own music. They have showcase nights for all the arts.

Review Year 12 subject choices

English SL, Mandarin Ab Initio, Psychology HL, Biology HL, Math AI SL, Music HL I wish I had done a different language instead of Mandarin, as it was very difficult. However, I loved the teacher and the class so it’s not a deep regret. I also wish I took biology at an SL level or did chemistry instead,… Read all

English SL, Mandarin Ab Initio, Psychology HL, Biology HL, Math AI SL, Music HL I wish I had done a different language instead of Mandarin, as it was very difficult. However, I loved the teacher and the class so it’s not a deep regret. I also wish I took biology at an SL level or did chemistry instead, because I later realised it was not a strong subject of mine.

Review School culture

…students being late, and could handle overall "students being students" without resentment or drama. My cohort/year level got involved alot with athletics day, carnivals and multicultural week, so students were quite collaborative and it wasnt hard to fit in, even as a migrant student. Across year levels,… Read all

The school was about in between. Teachers were patient about students being late, and could handle overall "students being students" without resentment or drama. My cohort/year level got involved alot with athletics day, carnivals and multicultural week, so students were quite collaborative and it wasnt hard to fit in, even as a migrant student. Across year levels, students also worked together really well. Being in multiple extracurricular activities, I had been in the position to teach, learn and mentor across every aspect of school. Student leadership was also critically based on teamwork and synergy; captains worked very well with younger leaders and being friendly and supportive was centred in the centenary culture.

Review Something only students would know

The school "dungeon" which is a cavelike space under the auditorium filled with old props from the schools musicals/plays. Quite a few ghost stories or jokes based around that creepy place.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

Opportunities to participate in arts programs, such as music, drama, and visual arts, can vary depending on the location, institution, or community offering them. In general, these opportunities are abundant and accessible at various levels, ranging from local community centers to schools and universities

Review Camps and excursions

Favorite memory from a school excursion was going to QPAC and watching Frozen the Musical. Wasn't meant to go as it was for the drama excellence kids but got a ticket because some students couldn't go. A bit spontaneous, but it was fun.

Review What had the biggest impact

Negatively, the time I was once transferred from an English class I loved to an English class to a teacher I hated. Also the time at which I was effectively thrown out from one group of friends and forced into solitude from one girl. As for positive, there was the drama teachers in 2021 and 2022.

Review Subject range and curiosity

…interests and career paths. In addition to core subjects, there were numerous electives such as Drama, Music, Computer Science, and Environmental Studies, which allowed students to explore their passions. The school also encouraged curiosity and engagement through various initiatives. For example, we… Read all

Yes, my school offered a wide range of subject choices that catered to various interests and career paths. In addition to core subjects, there were numerous electives such as Drama, Music, Computer Science, and Environmental Studies, which allowed students to explore their passions. The school also encouraged curiosity and engagement through various initiatives. For example, we had a "Curiosity Week" where students could attend workshops on topics not covered in the regular curriculum, such as robotics, creative writing, and sustainable living. Additionally, the school promoted character values and creativity through community service projects, like organizing charity events and participating in local environmental clean-ups. These activities helped students develop a well-rounded perspective and fostered a sense of responsibility and teamwork beyond academic achievements.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

I didn't engage in these subjects, but I had friends who did and I was a member of the music club. The opportunities to participate in arts programs were vast and diverse; the school promoted these subjects a lot and hosted many large events to showcase the creative talents of our students, such as expo… Read all

I didn't engage in these subjects, but I had friends who did and I was a member of the music club. The opportunities to participate in arts programs were vast and diverse; the school promoted these subjects a lot and hosted many large events to showcase the creative talents of our students, such as expo nights and live music and art nights. The music department in particular was amazing; the teacher organised a music club where students could simply come along and play music with all the different instruments. My friends and I, along with the teacher, would often come down and play songs together and engage in our passion and hobby of music, which was a really great way to take a step back from the academic workload.

Review Year 12 subject choices

Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, General English, General Maths, Music. I love my subjects I chose accounting out of curiosity and potential career choice (which I am now pursuing), I did the sciences because I was interested and the experiments we did were interesting, did music bc i liked it because we get to compose music/do performances for assessments and English and math were compulsory

Review Would you recommend it?

If you are looking for a multicultural school, this is the one to go to. I was a music student and can say that the music department are very passionate about music. There were plentiful amount of opportunities to perform depending on which ensemble you are in. it can range from semi-annual school performances, workshops, music camp, visiting primary schools to perform, music fest, fanfare etc

Review Chances to take part in the arts

many opportunities, there are many music bands you can be apart of as it’s separate from beginner level, intermediate level and advance levels. I believe they recently introduced an orchestra as well which I wish they had earlier. The music department also loves having more students join them

Review Chances to take part in the arts

There were plenty of art subjects to choose from and they recently built an arts all where they do visual art, drama and music which is very modern and has all the recourses needed.

Review What had the biggest impact

Doing the drama class in grades 10-12 was very impactful as I learnt a lot, had a very fun time, and made many friends. Volleyball was also super fun in senior year.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

There were lots of music programs as the school has a reputable music program and many of my friends participated and enjoyed the programs

Review Chances to take part in the arts

Really high quality! Very passionate teachers who built an extremely strong arts program. Musicals every second year written by students and teachers in collaboration, lots of performance opportunities and an after school arts excellence program with professional workshops.

Review What had the biggest impact

I suppose the creative arts element of my education there made a huge difference. I was in the musical for 4 years and learned to become myself more over those years.

Review What had the biggest impact

The school musical was an absolute standout for me. I was involved in the musical for 5 years, and the whole teaching team (J. Wood, J. Forman, J. Gill, M. Angelino, C. Ramsay and K. Rodrigues) were absolutely wonderful people who changed the course of my high school. I would not be in my current degree if it were not for them.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

Very good - the instrumental music department is run by an incredible lady, who transformed the department from one big band and one senior band, to 6+ (probably more now) bands, ranging from a vocal group, string band, percussion ensemble and more. She did all this in just my six years at the school, by herself.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

AMAZING. So many events for performing arts, art gallery tours (with student artwork), student film screenings in actual cinemas

Review Subject range and curiosity

yes there were so many subject choices. part of me wishes i had done hospitality instead of music but i loved doing music and my music teacher was so lovely. i remember every year we do a career expo and they have stalls in the hall for basically every subject and it was really fun to walk around and… Read all

yes there were so many subject choices. part of me wishes i had done hospitality instead of music but i loved doing music and my music teacher was so lovely. i remember every year we do a career expo and they have stalls in the hall for basically every subject and it was really fun to walk around and see what the subjects had displayed for everyone—like you could see what they were doing in robotics, science, media, etc. it was just really interesting to get to see inside of other subjects and interact with them

Review Chances to take part in the arts

i initially loved doing media as it was really fun and we had access to cameras and tripods and photoshop and all that stuff, but i dropped out pf it in year 10 to do music, which i loved and stayed in until the end of high school. music was great because i had such a nice teacher and i loved how we… Read all

i initially loved doing media as it was really fun and we had access to cameras and tripods and photoshop and all that stuff, but i dropped out pf it in year 10 to do music, which i loved and stayed in until the end of high school. music was great because i had such a nice teacher and i loved how we had the opportunity to have our own time by going into the music rooms and practicing. the school also hosted a night of music which you could go to at night by gold coin donation and watch the students perform which i thinj was a really fun experience

Review Chances to take part in the arts

lots of opportunities if you participated in arts programs (music camps, plays, talent shows)