Which schools suit what your child loves?

Review Preparing for entry

I did not do any specific preparation solely for the entrance exam. However, in the years leading up to the exam, I took tutoring classes including both private and public ones like Kumon. As the exam tested academic areas including writing and mathematics skills, I would say tutoring was especially helpful.

Review What had the biggest impact

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 Getting extra help

Very accessible. There are plenty of support systems SMT students had access to. Not only did they run peer tutoring sessions during lunchtime, but also students often visited teachers during the teacher-run tutorials during break times. Along with that teachers often host after school or before school classes to provide additional support to students. THe school also hires alumnis to share study tips, and even to teach students after school.

Review Preparing for entry

Although the entrance exam was a academic competitive selection process, the exams for QA are difficult to prepare and get tutoring for. As maths was my strong subject, I did not receive external help on that but rather just focused on refining my ability to write under short times. As for the interview, it was mainly for the school to get to know you as a student, and it is almost impossible to fail the interview stage.

Review Support for students who struggle

I’m not too sure about this one. My children were all pretty quiet and reserved so they didn’t like getting extra help unfortunately.

Review Getting extra help

I do know there is tutoring for free and its optional for others students to join too. Im not during about any other sort of appraches

Review Would you recommend it?

…very supporting and incase they find that someone is struggling in a class they give out extra help classes and it was optional for other students are completely free. I used to attend these just to get the extra help. My overall experience is good, I made a lot of friends. My brother who is disabled… Read all

Academically, craigslea is decent as they are very supporting and incase they find that someone is struggling in a class they give out extra help classes and it was optional for other students are completely free. I used to attend these just to get the extra help. My overall experience is good, I made a lot of friends. My brother who is disabled attended that school and he got so much support from that school. So yes, I recommend this school

Review Getting extra help

The teachers were extremely accessible when it came to providing support. At least in my experience, they had always encouraged us to reach out if needed and would also always be willing to have private conversations if needed.

Review Getting extra help

I think there would be after school tutorials sometimes for extra help, or you were always able to email the teacher any questions. I think there was a list of tutors or past alumni that could offer there services but I never used it so I’m not too sure about it.

Review Subject range and curiosity

They had a good range of subjects and once I wanted to study something they didn't offer and they supported me to do this online. I changed my mind but they are very open at getting students to achieve their goals however they need learning to be. They have great support staff to discuss careers and… Read all

They had a good range of subjects and once I wanted to study something they didn't offer and they supported me to do this online. I changed my mind but they are very open at getting students to achieve their goals however they need learning to be. They have great support staff to discuss careers and goals which help students follow their passion and this is encouraged. They will help people find opportunities. They have intensives with universities to experience the course. For dance they had numerous guest choreographers to teach different styles and cultural dances to expand our horizons with dance.

Review Getting extra help

As I said before teachers were super accesable, you could ask them during class to come to throwing and they would almost always be obliging if they didn't have prior plans, again the after school tutoring is completely free. And peer feedback was very plentiful and engaged, we did so in each class essentially in a weekly basis.

Review Getting extra help

Very accessible. The school offered free weekly tutoring sessions for all students, and teachers were generally happy to help out at breaks if need be.

Review Getting extra help

There were weekly morning and after school tutorials for each subject, which were run by different teachers according to the subject and the week. I barely attended them because they were just there if you had questions, but they were promoted at least once a week and were well known.

Review Why we chose this school

I chose this school because it offers a solid education and helps my child grow in every way. I moved into the catchment area and paid for extra programs to make sure they got the best experience. It’s definitely worth the cost, as my child is getting a great education and opportunities for the future.

Review What we like and dislike

I really like the supportive community and how the school offers a lot of opportunities for growth, both academically and personally. The teachers are great, and my child has access to a variety of extracurriculars that help them thrive. The only downside is the extra fees for programs; it would be nice… Read all

I really like the supportive community and how the school offers a lot of opportunities for growth, both academically and personally. The teachers are great, and my child has access to a variety of extracurriculars that help them thrive. The only downside is the extra fees for programs; it would be nice if some were more affordable or included in the regular costs.

Review Getting extra help

Very accessible. You could very easily reach them through email, before or after your class with them, or at their office which was near the class rooms. They would very easily answer any questions about assignment and would offer some words of encouragement if students were struggling.

Review Would you recommend it?

…highschool which meant that there were far more opportunities for students such as sports, tutoring, extracurricular activities. Additionally there’s something for everyone, for example bayside offers stem programs academic excellence programs, sport extension programs. Although bayside has gotten a… Read all

I would definitely recommend Brisbane bayside to others. Brisbane bayside is a smaller highschool which meant that there were far more opportunities for students such as sports, tutoring, extracurricular activities. Additionally there’s something for everyone, for example bayside offers stem programs academic excellence programs, sport extension programs. Although bayside has gotten a bad rep due to the area it is in there were never any issues for the students and overall it was a very good highschool experience for me.

Review Getting extra help

If a student was struggling in a core subject, it was very easy to access teachers or others for help. E-mails are always open, and there are tutorials for math's, science's and English's throughout the week that are open to everyone.

Review Getting extra help

If a student was struggling in a core subject, support varied depending on their teacher. some teachers were more available unhappy to help whilst others why not as open and friendly. Although if a student was failing, they would be forced to attend tutorials and would not. We’re not allowed to go home during sports on Wednesdays.

Review Would you recommend it?

…They have little academic support for senior students only having sessions once a week for tutorials in which also get crowded closer to exam Weekes with only one teacher to share. However they do offer guidance counselling and career counselling to all senior students in order to make sure that they… Read all

I would not recommend because they do not offer all the senior subjects that other larger schools with more students who are interested in academia would have like engineering or literature. They have little academic support for senior students only having sessions once a week for tutorials in which also get crowded closer to exam Weekes with only one teacher to share. However they do offer guidance counselling and career counselling to all senior students in order to make sure that they can maximise their studies. Yet I don’t think it is significant enough to be a reason to choose the school in particular.

Review Getting extra help

It was very difficult to find help. I was failing math and noone helped me at all.

Review Getting extra help

Fairly accessible as weekly tutoring sessions for a variety of subjects were held, with extra sessions for senior students.

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were happy to help students that were struggling and wanting to improve, this included additional support resources, lunchtime catch ups or 1 on 1 guidance during lessons.

Review Readiness for life after school

I felt quite prepared, especially in grade 12 many teachers would share their own stories from university, giving advice on maintaining study skills and how the shift can be quite jarring. The school was very supportive of pathways outside of university as well such as Tafe and apprenticeships.

Review Getting extra help

Had amazing physics teacher, she was helping me even after school finished, she let student ask for help at school after school finish

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were extremely accessible and open to supporting students. Many subject clubs were ran by teachers including Maths Club, English Study and Science Club, where students could come in at lunchtime or after school and spend time with teachers going through problems or understanding content. It… Read all

Teachers were extremely accessible and open to supporting students. Many subject clubs were ran by teachers including Maths Club, English Study and Science Club, where students could come in at lunchtime or after school and spend time with teachers going through problems or understanding content. It was a very open space, with lots of group work and one-on-one mentoring available. On top of that, the school had many other opportunities available for students who didn't want to pursue an academic pathway. The vocational department was exceptional at organising TAFE courses, internships, work placements, apprenticeships and certificates and qualifications that allowed students to move straight into full-time work after graduating. Overall, struggling students had a plethora of resources and support from both students and staff for academic and non-academic pathways.

Review School culture

My school was strict when it came to enforcing serious rules as mentioned before, but a lot more relaxed in the classroom. Teachers were always happy to joke around and have a laugh with the students, but we always got the work done and got back on track if the conversations steered too far from the… Read all

My school was strict when it came to enforcing serious rules as mentioned before, but a lot more relaxed in the classroom. Teachers were always happy to joke around and have a laugh with the students, but we always got the work done and got back on track if the conversations steered too far from the content. My school was definitely more modern than traditional, and students were a lot more relaxed and happy to support each other rather than compete with each other. I remember my friends and I would always organise large study groups to help everyone do their best for externals, when we could've just kept to ourselves and fought for the best ATAR. It was also easy to fit in with other groups; everyone was always open and welcoming and happy to hang out. New students in particular were treated like royalty; everyone wanted to get to know them and show them around and make them feel welcome and comfortable, which was really good to see.

Review Getting extra help

I believe that there was not many options for helping students struggling in core subjects within school grounds?

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were an email away and were pretty good just dont think their teaching style suited most and had alot of changing/ leave of teachers especially english and maths

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were readily accessible and willing to help, especially via emails and after school tutorials.

Review Getting extra help

I think that each student can still receive help from teachers to a considerable extent. Because our school is not a large one in scale, generally speaking, during breaks or after classes, if you go to ask teachers for help, they will have time to individually answer your questions.

Review Readiness for life after school

I felt prepared for university and work as every year there was a career expo that allowed you to see future opportunities. This really helped me narrow down what I wanted to study and eventually what field I wanted to work in. I feel that even if you didn't take the uni route you were also supported… Read all

I felt prepared for university and work as every year there was a career expo that allowed you to see future opportunities. This really helped me narrow down what I wanted to study and eventually what field I wanted to work in. I feel that even if you didn't take the uni route you were also supported as there were many programs you could do if you didn't want an atar such as trades etc.

Review Getting extra help

I think if you reached out to your teachers they would help but I never did that so I’m not too sure about this.

Review Getting extra help

I found the teachers to be accessible when we needed extra help. I found them to be supportive as well. They were quite nice.

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were always very helpful and communicated when they were available to help students consistently.

Review Getting extra help

very accessible if they are a helpful/good teacher that wanted you to succeed in your class

Review Getting extra help

very accessible. It a small school, we could go into the staff room when ever we wanted, and if we emailed teachers, they would help us heaps.

Review Getting extra help

Pretty good? the teachers would always say we could go to their tutorials even if we weren’t in their class. and it was probably better to go to theirs anyway cause they could tell us things our teacher wasn’t supposed to.