Which schools suit what your child loves?

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 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 Year 12 subject choices

In grade 12, I took Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, and History. I chose these subjects because I was interested in pursuing a career in engineering, and these subjects aligned with the prerequisites for university engineering programs. I was also particularly good at Mathematics and Physics, which made them enjoyable to study. If I could change anything, I might have considered taking a subject like Economics to broaden my knowledge, but overall, I am satisfied with my choices as they helped me get into my desired university program.

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 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 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 Would you recommend it?

I would recommend this school to others due to the quality of the teachers. While it didn't offer as much variety in senior subjects compared to larger schools in my time, the teachers I had were not only engaging and enjoyable, but taught me in a way that allowed me to achieve an adjusted 99.95 ATAR without any fancy subjects that are offered at other schools. On top of that, the school culture in senior grades was amazing, and my classmates developed strong bonds with each other and the teachers.

Review What had the biggest impact

My senior subject teachers were amazing, and the way they taught was not only vital to my academic success, but also inspired me to pursue a career in teaching senior maths. I had plenty of opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities or community events, and I was able to network with politicians, government officials and the Regional Director of Education through my school. The college has also recently constructed a new engineering precinct, and they are planning to offer senior engineering and design subjects to extend the variety of senior subjects.

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 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 Getting extra help

Teachers were generally very accessible and willing to provide extra help to students struggling in core subjects. There were regular after-school tutoring sessions, and many teachers offered one-on-one support during their free periods. Additionally, the school had a peer mentoring program where older students helped younger ones with their studies. For example, when I struggled with Chemistry, my teacher arranged extra sessions to go over difficult concepts, and a senior student helped me with practice problems, which made a significant difference.