Which schools suit what your child loves?

Review Expectations versus reality

My expectations were met academically in terms of the grades my child achieved and the level of support from teachers in terms of draft feedback and if my child reached out to them to ask questions.

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were generally approachable and willing to help if you reached out. There were also lunchtime tutorials and study sessions for subjects like Maths and English, which made a big difference. Some teachers went out of their way to check in or explain things one-on-one, but you did have to take… Read all

Teachers were generally approachable and willing to help if you reached out. There were also lunchtime tutorials and study sessions for subjects like Maths and English, which made a big difference. Some teachers went out of their way to check in or explain things one-on-one, but you did have to take the initiative. Peer support and study groups were pretty common too.

Review Would you recommend it?

QASMT is a school where the experience greatly depends on your character. It is fast-paced, competitive and highly academic-focused. If you thrive in these environments and are disciplined and self-motivated, I would highly recommend QA to you. Not only are you surrounded by like-minded students whose focus is all on achieving good grades, which in turn motivates you to work harder, but the school provides an abundance of academic-based opportunities such as clubs and events to increase your knowledge. On the other hand, if you tend to procrastinate or are not very disciplined, QASMT will likely be more harmful than good. It is incredibly easy to fall behind on studies due to the difficult nature of the IB program, and I, along with many others, were burnt out and sleep-deprived, particularly in the senior years. The IB program demands much more than the ATAR system- we have to write an extended essay, do philosophy (TOK) and undergo the CAS (creativity, activity, service) program on top of the six regular subjects. Additionally, the subjects offered at QA are much more restricting than other schools. Ultimately, whether I recommend QASMT depends on the person. If you work well under high pressure and can stay on top of your studies, then I would recommend it as it provides an environment where you can shine. On the other hand, it is incredibly demanding and stressful, so if you struggle with procrastination or do not care much for academics, then QASMT is not for you (and that's okay!).

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 Readiness for life after school

Very prepared. The academic rigor of the school, along with the stress, and difficulty definitely made me more than capable to face university. Most students have developed good study habits find first year of university very easy. The school also hosted and invited many career expo/experts, so students were very well equipped with career advice.

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 Would you recommend it?

Although there are many things that needs to be considered when selecting IB (ATAR conversions, whether you are planning to study domestic vs international), overall, I would still recommend QA to students if they enjoy working with like minded peers and work well under pressure. The teachers really have a passion for their job, and it shows through their interaction and willingness to help their students. However, I do agree that IB places too much stress on students, so therefore I only recommend the school to students that are up for the long term challenge. Other pros for the school includes the fact that the 80% of the students are also dedicated and hard-working which creates a sort of competitive/encouraging environment that is hard to find in other schools. Furthermore, there is hardly no stigma around being "nerdy" or trying hard, which is also uncommon in most high schools. As for extracurricular activities, QA does not place a huge emphasis on sports as participation for extracurricular activities is less than the average school.

Review What had the biggest impact

The school environment and constantly being surrounded by people that are also so hard-working and motivated definitely had the largest positive impact on me in terms of encouraging me to achieve my best. IB is an extremely academically demanding program, and as a result, my last final 2 years really tested my ability to time manage, balance my extracurriculars and work efficiently. These skills I feel have allowed me to find strengths and weaknesses in studying which was useful in university. Furthermore, as a result of school's emphasis on STEM, students at SMT often get the opportunity to join many university based programs, listen to specialists and attend seminars, all of which I know has inspired many students to pursue a career in STEM> Overall, my interactions with my teachers, and their willingness to always help, as well as their genuine passion for teaching has left a lasting impact on my view on ability to communicate my problems and seek help. I know the teachers at SMT has not only inspired but also challenged the students to always keep learning.

Review Something only students would know

Some things unique to the school is that doing QA/IB is a lot different from ATAR curriculum, in that there is a lot of independent learning that needs to be done. Therefore, I would not recommend the school for students who struggles to understand concepts or work off/ search for their own online resources. Furthermore, diversity is really big in QA, so there is a huge emphasise on sharing cultures and celebrating differences, which I really enjoyed. Extracurricular activities such as robotics are also very popular in QA, and students often spend their lunch times either attending the clubs for these activities, or involving themselves in clubs for service, or even beekeeping. The SMT community is also very small and everyone basically knows eachother. Students are also very willing to help others.

Review School culture

As mentioned previously, QASMT is highly competitive and academics-focused. Students strive for good grades, and this culture is supported by the school itself in the way that award ceremonies are constantly held and students are praised for their achievements. QASMT prides itself in this, additionally expecting students to maintain a high standard of dress and behaviour both in and out of the school with strict rules. Because of this, most students had the same mindset- do well and graduate with a high score. Although it was competitive, it was more the reason for students to band together and support one another. In a program like IB that's incredibly difficult, it was almost impossible for anyone to get through it alone- at least, that was my experience. I found that people were more than happy to help each other, sharing notes and teaching each other concepts. As the IB does not rely on a bell-curve grading system like the ATAR, this means that one person getting a high score does not make it harder for another person to do well. This is one thing that I appreciated- that we competed with ourselves to be constantly better rather than be in competition with others where people would ultimately be more selfish with resources etc. in order to do good.

Review Expectations versus reality

I had high academic expectations for Mansfield and was greatly pleased, as the school has many high achievers who get into great courses and the teachers are highly skilled at teaching and controlling classes.

Review Getting extra help

Teachers were generally accessible and willing to help students struggling in core subjects. They offered extra support through after-school sessions, one-on-one guidance, and helpful resources. Peer tutoring and study groups also played a role in assisting students. The supportive environment made it… Read all

Teachers were generally accessible and willing to help students struggling in core subjects. They offered extra support through after-school sessions, one-on-one guidance, and helpful resources. Peer tutoring and study groups also played a role in assisting students. The supportive environment made it easier to seek help and improve understanding.

Review Expectations versus reality

The school generally meets or exceeds academic expectations, particularly in STEM and arts. For instance, the **Enhanced Learning Program (ELP)** challenges high-achievers with advanced coursework, while vocational education (VET) provides practical pathways. Some students note uneven teaching quality… Read all

The school generally meets or exceeds academic expectations, particularly in STEM and arts. For instance, the **Enhanced Learning Program (ELP)** challenges high-achievers with advanced coursework, while vocational education (VET) provides practical pathways. Some students note uneven teaching quality in elective subjects, but overall, the school’s strong NAPLAN and ATAR results reflect its academic commitment.

Review What we like and dislike

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… 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 Expectations versus reality

I expected strong academics, and the school delivered that, but it lacked personalized support for struggling students. It focused more on grades than overall growth.

Review Year 12 subject choices

I did English, Methods, Biology, Health and Japanese. I chose these subjects because I was aiming to get a specific ATAR to do the course I wanted in Uni. Additionally, I figured that biology and health would also help me in my future nursing studies. I do not wish I chose differently because I enjoyed each subject thoroughly.

Review Expectations versus reality

I didn’t really have any expectations for the school considering it was a public school, but I don’t like how nosy the school is. I dropped my daughter to school very early one time and she got a detention for being on her phone at 7:30 in the morning and got it taken away. Quite ridiculous I don’t think… Read all

I didn’t really have any expectations for the school considering it was a public school, but I don’t like how nosy the school is. I dropped my daughter to school very early one time and she got a detention for being on her phone at 7:30 in the morning and got it taken away. Quite ridiculous I don’t think the school should be able to take my children’s belongings like that, especially that early in the morning. She was then told to go to the library and borrow a book to read instead of being on her phone. Mind you the library opens at 8.

Review Getting extra help

I think there was after school help on a few days with tutors from uni so they could get help from there, help from teachers honestly depends on how much they want to help because I know some teachers wouldn’t help outside of class time or say to study independently however if you had a good teacher… Read all

I think there was after school help on a few days with tutors from uni so they could get help from there, help from teachers honestly depends on how much they want to help because I know some teachers wouldn’t help outside of class time or say to study independently however if you had a good teacher sometimes they would start class 30mins early for anyone seeking extra help.

Review What had the biggest impact

the first swimming carnival i attended there was a sense of community and belonging there. there was a lot of opportunities for sport which had a great impact on me during the earlier years but when it was time to get serious about study in the later years cleveland was not much help.

Review School culture

extremely relaxed it was only strict about the uniforms but about actually doing the work they didn’t care. the teachers became a lot more relaxed in the senior years with giving no homework or anything really to do and even in class not many students actually did any work and the teachers didn’t care.… Read all

extremely relaxed it was only strict about the uniforms but about actually doing the work they didn’t care. the teachers became a lot more relaxed in the senior years with giving no homework or anything really to do and even in class not many students actually did any work and the teachers didn’t care. but if you wore a ring they were very strict.

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 What had the biggest impact

I had so many amazing teachers that really went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good learning experience. They would volunteer their personal time to set up practice exam sessions and consultations. The teachers took time to notice the people in their class and what might help them. The… Read all

I had so many amazing teachers that really went out of their way to make sure everyone had a good learning experience. They would volunteer their personal time to set up practice exam sessions and consultations. The teachers took time to notice the people in their class and what might help them. The dance program was very special to me, I was originally very anxious to perform but QACI nurtures and encourages you to express your creativity.

Review Expectations versus reality

It is very good. It is an International Baccalaureate school and focuses on providing an individual approach for each student.

Review Balancing academics and wellbeing

The school has a strong focus in the overall well-being of students, through HPE classes and workshops in mental healthy, cyber security, social skills etc.

Review Expectations versus reality

I had high academic expectations for the school, hoping for strong teaching, a well-rounded curriculum, and opportunities for advanced learning. I’m happy to say it has exceeded my expectations, especially in providing a solid foundation in both core subjects and critical thinking. The school has also… Read all

I had high academic expectations for the school, hoping for strong teaching, a well-rounded curriculum, and opportunities for advanced learning. I’m happy to say it has exceeded my expectations, especially in providing a solid foundation in both core subjects and critical thinking. The school has also offered enrichment programs that I didn’t initially expect, which has been a pleasant surprise and has really challenged my daughter in a positive way.

Review Balancing academics and wellbeing

In my opinion, the school does a great job balancing academic rigor with student well-being. While academics are important, they also focus on mental health, emotional support, and creating a positive environment for students to thrive. It’s clear that they understand the importance of both strong academic… Read all

In my opinion, the school does a great job balancing academic rigor with student well-being. While academics are important, they also focus on mental health, emotional support, and creating a positive environment for students to thrive. It’s clear that they understand the importance of both strong academic performance and overall happiness.

Review Love of learning

As I said earlier the school had many other activities that were held for fun like maths competitions, writing competitions, stem competitions so there was something for everyone

Review Getting extra help

Tutoring is offered to everyone and in general classes were structured in a way that allowed us to ask for help and work with others as well as separately whilst being quite supportive and if extra help was required tutoring was available. In the lead up to our atar exams teachers often offered extra… Read all

Tutoring is offered to everyone and in general classes were structured in a way that allowed us to ask for help and work with others as well as separately whilst being quite supportive and if extra help was required tutoring was available. In the lead up to our atar exams teachers often offered extra help and offered extra resources that they would mark and give personal feedback on

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 Subject range and curiosity

The academic subjects were a bit limited in my senior years, and only covered the sciences and maths departments. However, my school offered plenty of diverse arts and creative subjects that many students elected to study and pursue. On top of that, my school made up for the limited academic diversity… Read all

The academic subjects were a bit limited in my senior years, and only covered the sciences and maths departments. However, my school offered plenty of diverse arts and creative subjects that many students elected to study and pursue. On top of that, my school made up for the limited academic diversity by offering plenty of opportunities and pathways to explore subjects that weren't offered, and this sparked a lot of engagement and curiosity amongst students about these pathways. There were over 75 different careers that students wanted to pursue by the time I graduated, and this was a direct result of the opportunities my school provided to explore diverse interests.

Review Expectations versus reality

I didn't expect the school to be extremely academic. I just wanted my son to grow up with some good friendships, but the school does have award ceremonies and celebrate academics well. I would say it met my expectation because of how they acknowledge good grades.

Review Compared with other schools

I had to buy an iPad for my son to learn on, and he seems to use it a lot in his studying. I also get updates if something happens, but my son usually just tells me if he needs to get something for school. No need to improve.

Review Expectations versus reality

Supportive teachers who genuinely care about students' success and well-being, both academically and emotionally yes.

Review Getting extra help

There was no tutors, only select teachers available on select days at this thing they called 'homework club.' Never used that resource, peer mentoring got me through school.

Review Readiness for life after school

I was equipped with self-study skills and good independence. The school had very little part in equipping me with any skills besides a sense of cynicism and disillusionment with authority.

Review Year 12 subject choices

Math Methods Physics English English Extension Legal Studies Economics Spanish I was good at the humanities, and had prepared to study mathematics and economics which i now do at university. I would've changed instead to study specialist maths, but it wasn't a big deal. No regrets.

Review Getting extra help

During exam blocks, teachers in maths and science had after school tutoring available for students' pressing questions. English and humanities teachers were always keen to look over feedback and were always welcoming for students to discuss their work. Numeracy and literacy programs were available… Read all

During exam blocks, teachers in maths and science had after school tutoring available for students' pressing questions. English and humanities teachers were always keen to look over feedback and were always welcoming for students to discuss their work. Numeracy and literacy programs were available in year 11 to prepare us for year 12 Most importantly, teachers believed in their students. They knew when to be serious to tell us to get our head in the game, but also kind enough to be encouraging. They were all about student learning and always aimed to help out students in every aspect.

Review Camps and excursions

My favourite memory from a school camp was the night we sat around the campfire, sharing stories and laughing under the stars. It was a moment where students from different grades and backgrounds came together, and for once, there were no cliques or pressure—just a genuine sense of connection.

Review Subject range and curiosity

They offered a decent amount but they didn't offer subjects like psychology. Would've benefitted from having this subject available as some students continued to study this course at university.

Review School culture

The rules were strict and upheld tightly. But socially it varied a lot. You had many different groups from academically focussed to more laid back. Everyone was treated equally no matter what group they were apart of. It would definitely be easy to fit in as you just have to find like minded people.… Read all

The rules were strict and upheld tightly. But socially it varied a lot. You had many different groups from academically focussed to more laid back. Everyone was treated equally no matter what group they were apart of. It would definitely be easy to fit in as you just have to find like minded people. In the earlier year I found myself and others moved around a lot from group to group but as you progress you eventually settle down and stick with one group.

Review Subject range and curiosity

My school offered a lot of subjects which promoted everyone to explore their own interests. Unfortunately, in senior years, at no fault of the school, most people chose subjects that would scale the best in the ATAR system, which left many of the worse scaling subjects with hardly any students, some… Read all

My school offered a lot of subjects which promoted everyone to explore their own interests. Unfortunately, in senior years, at no fault of the school, most people chose subjects that would scale the best in the ATAR system, which left many of the worse scaling subjects with hardly any students, some subjects even being removed due to lack of selection.

Review Year 12 subject choices

I chose Accounting, Business, Design, Senior Art, English, Math Methods. I enjoyed all of my subjects accept design. The business and accounting class was the highlight as the teachers were so good and were very relaxed with their students which made everyone feel much more comfortable and welcomed while… Read all

I chose Accounting, Business, Design, Senior Art, English, Math Methods. I enjoyed all of my subjects accept design. The business and accounting class was the highlight as the teachers were so good and were very relaxed with their students which made everyone feel much more comfortable and welcomed while studying. I wish I had chosen something other than design but it wasn’t the end of the world just so boring.

Review Year 12 subject choices

math methods, biology, chem, physics, general english and modern history. We didn’t have many subjects, so this was the best way to get the highest atar.

Review Readiness for life after school

I felt very prepared. I had a good atar and the future was looking bright.

Review Readiness for life after school

I felt very prepared for the path I was talking which was University, I was equipped with all the necessary skills like note taking, studying etc.

Review Subject range and curiosity

Yes, I believe that we had quite a diverse range of subjects, so everybody was able to study what they were interested in. They fostered engagement by offering the opportunity to join after school hours clubs.

Review Would you recommend it?

I would recommend the high school to students that live in the area, as my graduating cohort (2023) received a high average ATAR score. The school also offers a wide variety of clubs, such as, theatre, photography, and various sporting opportunities.

Review School culture

My school is relatively strict with its uniform and conduct, however, other than that, it was a casual school where staff and deputies took the time to build personal connections with the students. On the other hand, most students lacked motivation to study and were usually laid back in relation to academics.… Read all

My school is relatively strict with its uniform and conduct, however, other than that, it was a casual school where staff and deputies took the time to build personal connections with the students. On the other hand, most students lacked motivation to study and were usually laid back in relation to academics. By the final grade, most people had set friend groups, but they would also regularly made friends outside their group.

Review Readiness for life after school

I felt somewhat prepared especially for exams and work life balance as we had a very high traineeship and trade based cohort.

Review Readiness for life after school

I was not prepared at all. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. But i eventually got into a traineeship and now i’m studying at TAFE so it doesn’t really matter how prepared you are by the end.

Review Would you recommend it?

It depends on the student. For someone who wants to have lots of sporting extracurricular activities, this is the school for them! Arts extracurriculars, not as many but we still have lots. If you're dead set on getting a 99 atar it may not be the school for you, some of the teachers are a bit hit or… Read all

It depends on the student. For someone who wants to have lots of sporting extracurricular activities, this is the school for them! Arts extracurriculars, not as many but we still have lots. If you're dead set on getting a 99 atar it may not be the school for you, some of the teachers are a bit hit or miss, but it's still a wonderful school with plenty of facilities and experiences for all types of students.

Review Getting extra help

Getting extra support was super easy. There was homework club which the teachers would go to which they could help with you assignments / coursework. Most teachers had office hours where you could to and see them for one-on-one feedback / tutoring sessions. Peer support was also a big part of leaderbody.

Review Would you recommend it?

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… 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.