Would you recommend it?
I think that QACI really cares about their students and wants everyone to strive academically. They have an independent framework that makes students more accountable for their learning and more prepared for the real world.
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 dance program was very special to me, I was originally very anxious to perform but QACI nurtures and encourages you to express your creativity.
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Preparing for entry
I did not do any specific preparation. I just made sure I understood everything I was currently doing at school and read through all the details to be as prepared as I could be. I think I discussed my dance in my interview as well as my other commitments like drama and stem club, which may have helped me.
Year 12 subject choices
I did Math AA HL, Lang and Lit HL, French ab initio, Dance HL, Psychology HL, ESS SL and TOK. I liked all my subjects, I wish I did a different science but I really enjoyed ESS because the environment is very important to me but other sciences would help me more in uni. I think I liked learning all the subjects and I was good at them.
Getting extra help
The teachers are really great for extra support. There is a list of alumni tutors that teachers send out, including me :). That are great at understanding the subject and the assessments. Teachers also are great at giving specific feedback to help students improve. They will often have workshops and study sessions towards exams and consultations around assignments periods. They are also very open to emailing with all your worries and questions.
Readiness for life after school
I felt very prepared. QACI really gets students to be proactive and independent with their learning. They will help you if you ask but they aren't holding your hand. They emphasise the importance of thinking critically and doing things your own way. QACI culture is a big thing. It is essentially just the values of the students and it is really built well into the environment without it feeling forceful.
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 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.
Bullying and getting to school safely
Bullying wasn't a big issue because lots of the students wanted to be at QACI everyone had a similar mindset. There is a lot of public transport nearby that were very helpful to get around school. There is not much parking if you want to drive in the later years but most people used public transport. It is right near QUT Kelvin Grove campus so there is a nice atmosphere around the school with other students and great places to eat and study.
Camps and excursions
QACI only had one camp for everyone at the start of year 10 which I did not love. But we also went to Dreamworld for a science excursion which was fun. The dance students also did trips to see performances which was really great. I liked when we went to QUT and joined in with the uni program.
Something only students would know
QACI is a big building with seven floors, it was often a joke that there was a secret 8th floor that people would go to.
Coaching and chances to compete
We didn't have any sport facilities. We did some sport days but they were mostly for fun. I know they supported students who had sport talents but I don't know how because I was not one.
Chances to take part in the arts
They have so so many opportunities for the arts. They have amazing art studios with great resources. They have drama studios and a great theatre. They have good film technology. For music they have an array of instruments and recording studios which students even used to produce their own music. They have showcase nights for all the arts.
- Played sport: No
- Did an arts activity: Yes
- Arts activities done: Dance
