State school

Whites Hill State College

138 Burn Street, Camp Hill

3 reviews: 3 alumni. Full stories, no rankings or overall ratings.

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Whites Hill State College

At a glance

The facts, without the digging

Fees

Minimal fees

Queensland state school Student Resource Scheme

Sector
State
Year levels
Prep to Year 12
Students
832 (Aug 2025)
Gender
Co-Ed
Established
1957
Boarding
No
Motto
Imagine, Believe, Achieve
Website
whiteshillsc.eq.edu.au

Figures come from publicly available sources, checked against what families tell us.How we check our data →

Location & catchment

Where it is, and who gets in

Getting there

138 Burn Street, Camp Hill QLD · View on map

Catchment boundaries can shift and don't always match local assumptions. For the current official boundaries, check the Queensland Government's eDMap tool.

Reviews

The story of this school, told by 3 families

We don't rank schools and we don't hand out an overall score. Every review here is a personal experience from a parent or recent graduate.

2 of 3 reviews are free to read. The rest are free with an account.

DB · Alum · Graduated recently (2022, 2023, 2024)
Free preview

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.

What had the biggest impact

One of the most impactful aspects of my school experience was the mentorship program. I was paired with a senior student who guided me through my first year, helping me adjust to the new environment and offering valuable advice on managing coursework and extracurriculars.

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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.

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.

Readiness for life after school

By the time I graduated, I felt reasonably prepared for life after high school. The school provided strong academic training, which helped me develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, I felt that there could have been more emphasis on practical life skills, such as financial literacy and time management. The career advice offered was helpful, but I think more exposure to different career paths through workshops or internships would have been beneficial. Overall, I felt equipped to take the next step into university, but there were areas where I had to learn and adapt independently.

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.

Bullying and getting to school safely

Bullying was not a significant issue at my school, but when incidents did occur, the school dealt with them promptly and effectively. There was a clear anti-bullying policy, and students were encouraged to report any issues to the guidance counselors or teachers. I generally felt safe traveling to and from school, although there were some busy roads near the campus. The school addressed this by organizing safety workshops and providing crossing guards to help students navigate the traffic. Additionally, the school had a good relationship with local law enforcement, which helped ensure the safety of students in the surrounding area.

Camps and excursions

The school culture was a blend of traditional and modern elements. While there were strict rules regarding attendance and academic integrity, the overall atmosphere was relaxed and supportive. Students were encouraged to express themselves and participate in various activities. The vibe was collaborative rather than overly competitive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and mutual respect. Most students were friendly and inclusive, making it relatively easy to fit in, although there were some established social groups.

Something only students would know

One unique aspect of the school that only students would know is the "Secret Staircase" tradition. There's a lesser-known staircase in the old building that students believe brings good luck if you walk up it before a big exam.

Coaching and chances to compete

The school's coaches were highly effective in developing students' athletic abilities and providing numerous opportunities to compete. The quality of coaching was excellent, with coaches who were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about helping students improve. They offered tailored training sessions that catered to students of all skill levels, ensuring that everyone, from beginners to elite athletes, had the chance to develop their skills. The school participated in various inter-school competitions and regional tournaments, giving students the opportunity to compete at higher levels. Additionally, the coaches emphasized teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth, which made the sports programs inclusive and rewarding for all participants.

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.

  • Played sport: No
  • Did an arts activity: No
  • Emphasis on academics ◆◆◆◆◇
  • Quality of academic resources ◆◆◆◇◇
  • How healthy the tuckshop is ◆◆◆◆◆
  • Investment in sports facilities ◆◆◆◇◇
  • Quality of arts teachers ◆◆◆◆◇
  • Focus on showcasing talent ◆◆◆◆◆
Khai, Sanchez · Alum · Graduated recently (2022, 2023, 2024)
Free preview

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.

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.

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Year 12 subject choices

I did Math Methods, Specialist Maths, Chemistry, Physics, English and Geography. I chose those subjects because I wanted to achieve the highest ATAR I could and apply for scholarships. I chose Geography as a backup subject in case I did terribly in any of my main 5 subjects, but I would've picked a higher scaling subject instead if it were offered. As mentioned before, the college has invested in providing new, high-scaling senior subjects, so senior students now and in coming years will have that opportunity. I enjoyed the subjects I chose and wouldn't pick differently if I had the opportunity again. I arrived at my choices because I knew I wanted a high ATAR, and I was really good at maths and sciences.

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.

Readiness for life after school

I felt extremely prepared for life after highschool. Thanks to my teachers, I not only had the academic knowledge I needed to succeed at university and enter my desired career, but plenty of valuable life advice and practical knowledge that they imparted to me. There were many lunchtimes and lessons where my teachers would talk about their life experiences and I learnt valuable lessons about financial and mental wellbeing and stress and work management. My teachers often felt a lot like mentors rather than unknown lecturers, and thanks to them, I graduated highschool with confidence, prepared for whatever came next.

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.

Bullying and getting to school safely

Bullying was not an issue at my school. There were always students who were mean or picked on others, but the school always intervened before it escalated to bullying. Ever since the change in administration in 2023, the principal and vice principal immediately took disciplinary action on any students who were engaging in bullying or other banned behaviour such as vaping. I feel that they dealt with this issue a lot better than the previous administration, and in my senior years I was glad to see that a lot of those students were simply suspended or expelled if their behaviour continued. The school itself was in a very safe area with no suspicious roads or persons around. There were a couple busy main roads around the school, but the traffic control system was efficient and effective at managing that risk.

Camps and excursions

My school was strict when it came to enforcing serious rules as mentioned before, but a lot more relaxed in the classroom. Teachers were always happy to joke around and have a laugh with the students, but we always got the work done and got back on track if the conversations steered too far from the content. My school was definitely more modern than traditional, and students were a lot more relaxed and happy to support each other rather than compete with each other. I remember my friends and I would always organise large study groups to help everyone do their best for externals, when we could've just kept to ourselves and fought for the best ATAR. It was also easy to fit in with other groups; everyone was always open and welcoming and happy to hang out. New students in particular were treated like royalty; everyone wanted to get to know them and show them around and make them feel welcome and comfortable, which was really good to see.

Something only students would know

The inside jokes about teachers that the teachers themselves were often a part of were amazing. It was always great to enter a lesson and be able to make a joke to the teacher and have them laugh at it as well; it made everyone feel more relaxed and happy to work and start the lesson. On top of that, the teachers were always really friendly, and often had conversations with student groups at lunchtimes, which made it really enjoyable to have them as teachers.

Coaching and chances to compete

My school worked extremely hard to organise interschool competitions for sports, and promoted these sports a lot. There was a lot of engagement amongst the cohorts, and even though my school didn't offer elite athlete programs or academies, we still placed within the top 4 for all our competitions. The team coaches were often PE teachers who specialised in their respective sports, and their dedication and commitment to the students on top of their regular teaching workload was admirable. Students of all athletic abilities were supported and encouraged to participate and get involved, and many students commented on their individual improvement after engaging with these sport teams.

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.

  • Played sport: Yes
  • Sports played: Rugby, Touch Football
  • Did an arts activity: No
  • Emphasis on academics ◆◆◆◆◇
  • Quality of academic resources ◆◆◆◆◇
  • How healthy the tuckshop is ◆◆◆◆◇
  • Investment in sports facilities ◆◆◆◇◇
  • Quality of arts teachers ◆◆◆◆◇
  • Focus on showcasing talent ◆◆◆◆◆
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