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 miss, but it's still a wonderful school with plenty of facilities and experiences for all types of students.
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.
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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.
Getting extra help
Teachers were readily accessible and willing to help, especially via emails and after school tutorials.
Readiness for life after school
I felt conflicted about life after high school. I feel like I prepared myself, since I've had a job from 14 years old. School didn't even really prepare me for uni, since the atmosphere is so different and same with the assessment requirements. This isnt really a fault of my school, I know plenty of schools leave students feeling underprepared for uni life.
Subject range and curiosity
We had some diverse subject choices, but not the whole spectrum of subjects available through ATAR. Some subjects, like psychology, were only available through our IB pathway, but that pathway had even more restricted choices, with no arts subjects at all.
Bullying and getting to school safely
Bullying is a very prevalent issue. Unfortunately, the school is lackluster in the way it combats this. It took 3 separate incidents and several emails from my parents and I before the school did anything about my younger brother's bullying. The roads around the school lacked proper management and had abysmal traffic flow, and many parents drive recklessly, including crossing double white lines at no right turn signs into the drop off zone. It took until my dad's car got hit by a reckless parent for the police or the council to take any action about it.
Camps and excursions
It was a fairly relaxed culture. The students were mostly nice and welcoming, apart from some students with poor attitudes and terrible behaviour management.
Something only students would know
There's a "ghost" that lives in the performing arts centre (CPAC), and that's why all the doors slam and the wind rustles in strange ways.
Chances to take part in the arts
There are plenty of opportunities for arts students. We have the annual musical, as well as two additional plays throughout the year. There was an extracurricular choir, dance club, visual art exhibitions, a short film company, and more.
- Played sport: No
- Did an arts activity: Yes
- Arts activities done: Drama / Theatre, Choir / Vocal Performance, Dance, Musical Theatre, Film / Media Production, Visual Arts (Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, etc.)
