Which schools suit what your child loves?

Review What we like and dislike

…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… 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 Would you recommend it?

…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. 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 Experience of arts activities

My child was part of the orchestra, as well as studying drama for a few years. She really enjoyed the orchestra, but there definitely wasn't such a big focus on arts as there were sports.

Review Chances to take part in the arts

My school offered diverse arts programs, including music, drama, and visual arts, fostering creativity with supportive teachers and opportunities.

Review Experience of arts activities

My child was a member of the school band and also greatly enjoyed it. He got to play many different enjoyable songs and showcased his ability at many different stages outside and inside of school. The teachers are extremely talented and there is a large variety of instruments for the students to play.

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 School culture

…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… Read all

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 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 Subject range and curiosity

Specialising in the arts, the school offered numerous choices for art disciplines such as music, visual arts, dance, film, design tech, etc. For other groups, it might’ve been more scarce. For Group 3 (humanities) students only had the option of picking Psychology or Business or Environmental Systems,… Read all

Specialising in the arts, the school offered numerous choices for art disciplines such as music, visual arts, dance, film, design tech, etc. For other groups, it might’ve been more scarce. For Group 3 (humanities) students only had the option of picking Psychology or Business or Environmental Systems, so that may have limited people’s interests.

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… Read all

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 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

The school offered a wide variety of arts programs that were accessible to all students. There were numerous opportunities to participate in music, drama, and visual arts, with regular classes, after-school clubs, and special workshops. The music program included choir, band, and individual instrument lessons, while the drama program put on several productions each year, allowing students to get involved in acting, set design, and stage management. The visual arts program provided access to a well-equipped studio and organized exhibitions of student work. These activities were frequent and well-supported, fostering a vibrant creative environment. The image that best reflects this environment would be one showing students actively engaged in diverse artistic activities, such as a group painting in the studio or performing in a school play.

Review Subject range and curiosity

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 Would you recommend it?

Yes, I would recommend this school to others. The academic quality is excellent, with a strong curriculum and dedicated teachers who are always willing to help students. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and debate clubs, which provide a well-rounded education. My overall experience was very positive, as I felt supported and challenged to grow both academically and personally.

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 Year 12 subject choices

I chose English, Math Methods, Drama, Film, Visual Art, and Legal Studies. I would have been in music over legal studies however the admin wouldn't let me.

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

…students to foster their talents, and was open to students for auditions and rehearsals. Musicians THRIVE at the school. Filmmakers and backstage crew get great creative opportunities. The dance program is gradually growing. Visual arts are also slowly getting the centenary name out to the community.… Read all

The performance plus programs was the avenue for students to foster their talents, and was open to students for auditions and rehearsals. Musicians THRIVE at the school. Filmmakers and backstage crew get great creative opportunities. The dance program is gradually growing. Visual arts are also slowly getting the centenary name out to the community. There is an even split of resources to each program, and students and staff work together to build up talents and repertoire.

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 Year 12 subject choices

i did general english, essential maths, ancient history, japanese, music, and biology. i love biology but i kind of regret choosing it as i had a really strict teacher in year 12 (different from year 10 and 11) and my friend and i didn’t like her that much and preferred the other teacher. she always… Read all

i did general english, essential maths, ancient history, japanese, music, and biology. i love biology but i kind of regret choosing it as i had a really strict teacher in year 12 (different from year 10 and 11) and my friend and i didn’t like her that much and preferred the other teacher. she always gave me C’s even when i thought i did good (she was a HOD so no surprise). I also regret choosing japanese as even though i loved doing it, we got a teacher who was new to teaching high schoolers and was just really bad at teaching so we learnt basically nothing for the last 2 years of school.

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 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 Chances to take part in the arts

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

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.