[kyte]

True but knowing the kinds of lengths MacRob used to go to to get rid of students who might bring their HSC marks down, the fact that they are still top in the state does make me suspicious. I hear similar things about James Ruse HS in Sydney (where I now live).

I think some changes have been made. I have one daughter who finished at MacRob in 2010 and one who is still there now. I think the teachers there have come to understand more about students with high intelligence not all needing to complete copious amounts of work in order to produce excellent results. Mine did/do the minimum amount of homework and were/are involved in lots of extra-curricular activities, music, rowing, debating, drama etc.

[mrsjessop]

That is good to hear, Kyte.

[lxl38]

I went to a state school and then Macrobertson Girls High; I most certainly will not be sending my daughters there. For many reasons but they have very little care for students as people. It is all about the academics and even career guidance is poor. The last thing to note is for the majority of people you also ahve to travel a long way to get there and this eats into valuable study time or relaxing time.

I have 2 sisters one who finished year 12 last year and one in year 9 and my parents moved into the zone to go to a prominant popular state school only to be horrified attending open day.

You have to remember that ALL schools go through cycles and this can also depend on the principle. So I wouldnt be making any firm decsions for some time yet.

My sisters ended up going to Tintern Girls Grammer... I have only amazing things to say about this school. My sisters are very different and so are there friends. I ahve seen them deal with all different kinds of situations with care and understanding.

It is also a girls school up to year 9 when they start to share a few classes with the boys from Southwood - then to full co-ed in VCE. it gets them ready for the "real" world whilst still focusing on the differing needs of boys and girls learning styles.

It has a great attitude to learning and care of the girls and their interests. Plus the surroundings and facilities are great too. Their pastoral care is amazing my girls are in the primary school and my partner and I separated and they were amazing. I ahve also seen this follow through into the senior school. When my sister was in year 8 she found out someone wasnt coping and was even starting to self harm and my sister felt completely secure to go straight to the principle. I have also been waiting for an appointment and if a student comes in they get priority.

Tintern also offer IB as an alternative to VCE

Interesting to note is also in the last 2 years I have known of 8 different families leaving yarra Valley Grammer for all different sorts of reasons. And all from different year levels.

All the best

I have read in EB other forums that Tintern has had problems, do you know if this is still the case?
I also attended the Yarra Valley Open Day on the weekend and was not impressed, although I have heard good things. Can you please tell us why these other families left?
PS. I am new to EB, I hope this post worked.

This post has been edited by lxl38: 19/03/2012, 08:04 PM

[justcait2]

Berwick has a number of great High Schools all within a close proximity. It has the lot State school, private, catholic single sex and Co-ed. We moved our DS from the local state Primary to one of the private ones and it was the best thing that we ever did for him.

[JillianB]

I'll do the Northern/Western Burbs as thats my area

State schools

Williamstown High has a VERY good rep now, does well academically and in sporting areas, has an academic class that is sought after. My DD was going there this year but got a better offer closer to home
.
Buckley Park College Essendon
Princess Park College- Princess Hill (near Brunswick/Parkville- have no uniform)
University High- VERY sounght after and very tight zone! (they have no uniform)

Werribee Secondary College- as of 2013 only state school to offer IB as an alternative to VCE in senior school. HAs a great select entry programme also. My DD now goes here after being at a private school since Prep-6, and I am very impressed thus far as an alternative to her old school (divorce = no money for private anymore)_
Viewbank College- Rosanna

Ivanhoe Grammar School-Ivanhoe
Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar- Essendon- nice fit for a girl, single sex Ed!
Penleigh and Esserndon Grammar- very academic and sporty! (Mix of Co-ed and single sex depending on year level)
Eltham College
Catholic Ladies Colleg- Eltham
St Columba's College- Essendon

I'll chip in here too.

Uni High - is sort after (people fake addresses to get in) but has two streams. One is the "high achiever" accelerated program and the other is the mainstream program. It suits some, but I know of students who have hated it, because the perception is that all the focus is on the high achievers. They complete high school in 5 years, rather than 6. I can't understand what possible benefit there is in that.

Princes Hill: very arty. I have friends with kids there and they are very happy. Nice bunch.

Brunswick Secondary: I have a child here. I think it's a great school. Very caring and has loads of opportunities for the students.

Lowther Hall: excellent school. I can't speak highly enough of it. One of my kids went there from Kinder to Year 12 and it was fantastic.

Essendon Grammar: I'm not a fan of PEGS. In secondary it offers almost no electives (students can - and are encouraged to - do Latin, but forget doing anything like Food Tech or Drama: they aren't considered acadamic enough for PEGS). Isn't interested in anyone who won't get top marks in VCE, unless they can play footy at AFL level, in which case, they can be as dumb as a box of rocks. Regularly sends out letters to kids in Yr 10 suggesting that they look elsewhere.

St Brendans: I know a few boys who went there - great kids. Great subject choices.

St Columbus: ditto, but for girls.

Ivanhoe Girls Grammar: Good school. Great subject choices and great staff.

Ivanhoe Grammar: have friends with kids there. Seems good (but expensive). Not as wide a choice of subjects as other schools.

But at the end of the day, there are plenty of good schools and what suits one child won't suit another. I've had two who've go through private from kinder to year 12 and one who didn't suit the private system at all and would have done badly if we'd kept him there.

Find a nice place to live and then look at the schools in that area. There will be good schools there. Don't move into an area just for a school. And don't have kids travelling long distances just to get to a school. It means getting up early, getting home late and having friends far away. You'll be driving them around all weekend. Much better to have them going to a school that's close and where they can socialise with their friends easily (that's just as important as being academic).

[JillianB]

And I'll throw in for good measure that I've had a couple of friends who had kids at Balwyn High and loathed it. They moved them. So it's not for everyone.

[lottie9]

Interested in people's comments on schools that are both:

A - co-ed
B - non-religious.

What are the best options in Melbourne on those parameters (govt and independent?).