Would you recommend it?
I would, there was a good culture within the school (very few fights, generally good student body). The school provided a lot of opportunities to extend yourself if you wanted to, lots of committees and programs and events to participate in.
What had the biggest impact
The arts program was fantastic, and run by extremely passionate teachers. There were some poor teachers there - at one point I was sexually harassed by a teacher who the school knew was creepy to students and it ended up becoming a legal matter. He was let go after it escalated legally, though. Other teachers were openly racist or homophobic. Generally, a culture of permissiveness towards whatever teachers did, even if it was objectively harmful.
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Year 12 subject choices
General English, General Maths, Legal Studies, Ancient History, Drama, Music. I also did Philosophy through distance ed as an additional subject. I wish I could have done Modern History instead of Music, but there wasn't enough interest.
Getting extra help
There was maths tutoring once a week which was helpful, plus homework club once a week too. Generally teachers were open to help if you asked for it before or after school, but obviously that depends on the teacher.
Readiness for life after school
I breezed through school with very little effort which made it kind of hard for me to learn how to apply myself once I started university and work. I wish overachieving wasn't treated as an excuse to neglect building the life skills school is supposed to teach in addition to the academics.
Subject range and curiosity
Subject choices, no. I ended up taking two subjects I didn't really want to because three subjects I wanted to take weren't offered (psychology, philosophy and modern history), plus no languages offered. In terms of extracurriculars, there was a pretty wide range of options, which I appreciated.
Bullying and getting to school safely
All schools have a bullying problem, but I'd say Rochedale handled it as well as was able. The location of the school was isolated, which did make it feel safer. They were proactive with lockdowns whenever anything suspicious did happen.
Camps and excursions
Fairly strict, which I don't think is a bad thing, kids need structure in order to work at their best. Individual teachers could be more or less strict, so rules were somewhat unevenly applied, but that'll be an issue at any school. Different year levels had distinctly different cultures - my year had so many students who wanted leadership positions that they invented new roles, the year below couldn't get enough people to fill even the original roles.
Something only students would know
Reggie the Rhino is the school mascot and the principal is freakily obsessed with it, rhino statues all over admin, school motto to do with rhinos every year (i.e. "invite the rhino"), total rhinomania.
Coaching and chances to compete
I never did sports, so can't super speak on it, but I know we tended to do pretty well in regional competitions so I imagine the sports offerings were pretty good. Non-sports students often complained that the school was too focussed on sporting.
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.
- Played sport: No
- Did an arts activity: Yes
- Arts activities done: Drama / Theatre, Choir / Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre
