Methodist Ladies College, Kew School Reviews

Methodist Ladies College, Kew

School Reviews

By Student - 22 Aug 2024, Rate: excellent

The amount of effort the school puts into providing us with new facilities is amazing. I'm so excited for the sports precinct even though I'll be finishing my school life this year, as my little sister is going to come to MLC next year. There can be bullying and it might feel a bit impersonal being in such a large school but the teachers truly do care and there are many nice students, especially as you progress into the older year levels and get to select your classes and can befriend others who like the same subjects. Uniform can be strict at times but other than that, I really like the education here and all the opportunities and facilities that MLC has to offer. I'll be missing here when I finish school soon but I definitely recommend sending your daughter here. While she might have bad days with a few bad apples or uniform issues every now and then, the learning opportunities, fantastic teachers and environment makes up for it all!

By Parent - 06 Aug 2024, Rate: good

Many sports available which my daughter who is a boarder at this school loves. However some rumours we have heard regarding the boarding house is concerning and we are worried for our daughter who is currently in year 8 and whether the girls in the boarding house are setting a good example or not. I trust the school to do their job well although I do advise parents to be cautious and keep up with their daughters regularly and ensure they are associating with a good crowd. Overall my daughter likes the boarding house and is enjoying her school’s curriculum so far, I do have positive hopes on MLC and that this was merely a one-time occurrence. MLC has been a supportive and responsible environment for our daughter and her younger sister wants to start here as well in year 7 in a few years. I think the school is good and is doing all it can but some of the students are not the best crowd to hang with so you must ensure a close relationship with your daughter’s teachers and monitor her academic performance.

By Student - 12 Jun 2024, Rate: good

Not the best school, nor is it the worst school. It does its job by educating students, has a few bullies along with many lovely students. It's overall your typical girls school. Academics not too competitive but quite high standard, uniform rules exist although they aren't as bad as some other reviewers mention. Good opportunities for sport but not the best house spirit. Overall it's a decent school and it's a completely fine place for your daughter to attend. She'll learn well academically and will have lots of opportunities but may not have super close friendships as the years progress as the large cohort makes it difficult for your friends to be in the same classes as you when you get to the older years. My recommendation is that your daughter participate in sports or clubs so she can regularly meet her friends and bond with other students. Teachers are helpful and good, they do their job. Only negatives is, really, it's quite a mixed bag. The experience you get highly depends on your classes and who you have in them, the teachers you get, etc. It's a big school, while my experience has been great, I know others who have less than ideal, so I rate it good instead of excellent.

By Student - 02 Jun 2024, Rate: excellent

(PLEASE READ)
Hi Everyone, I may be attending this school in 2025. I luckily already have friends at this school, but live halfway across the world. I have read some reviews left by "Teachers" or "Students", and I find these reviews very hard to believe. I have met some staff at the school, and they are so inviting and care about each student and their belief to do well and become world ready woman. My friends say the teachers are excellent, and care 99.9% about your learning. The 0.1% is the dress code, and this occurs when a student is wearing wrong uniform, or wearing un- registerd MLC wear. The uniform looks so formal, and puts you in a mood where your willing-ness to learn increases because you don't only feel the part- you look it! The food I hear is also very good, and have a wide variety of options to choose from wether your a vegetarian or are gluten free. Many people on here are complaining about "girl drama". Please be well aware this happens everywhere, especially at private girls schools. MLC encourages a no bullying policy, and doesn't tolerate any absurd behaviour towards students. If you're a student at MLC who is currently receiving hatred towards themselves, please reach out to a councillor, parent, or trusted adult. The campus is beautiful, especially the boarding house. The learning space for years 7 & 8 helps build a foundation of knowlage and understanding throughout their early secondary years learning. The amount of extracurricular sports and activities that you can self enrol in is beyond amazing, and it's a rewarding opportunity to make new friends and try something new (facilities are amazing for sports such as swimming, dance, rowing, gymnastics, you name it)! Overall, if you are looking into going to MLC it is 100% the right decision to make if you would like your daughter (or whatever your child identifies as) to become a world ready woman, and build a strong foundation of learning. Also, if you are currently a student, I would like to hear ONLY postive feedback. If you are a student who is on here to type silly, negative reviews about MLC, please be mindful you are ruining this amazing schools reputation, and are also making them loose business as this is the #1 website that pops up when you type "MLC Kew reviews". Thank you for reading my experience on this school from information I have so far, and I am more than looking forward to attending this school starting in 2025!
-Student, 2024

By Parent - 01 Jun 2024, Rate: average

Very mediocre school, academic subjects are ok and my daughter seems to have a decent group of friends. School is very strict in terms of uniform however so this must be taken into account if you send your daughter here. Otherwise, it is an ok school with some good students and teachers and my daughter seems happy so far at the school aside from a few uniform reminders.

By Parent - 30 Apr 2024, Rate: excellent

My daughter moved to MLC halfway through high school from a smaller school where the girls were very cliquey and it was the best decision we made. She is able to participate in so many activities and their subject options are excellent. Her class teacher was very encouraging of her joining in new things which she hasn't had before.

By Parent - 10 Apr 2024, Rate: bad

My daughter is increasingly depressed and anxious as the school term is about to start due to the sheer amount of bullies at this school. The teachers are quite ridiculous with their rules and criticise my daughter about her earrings, which are practical studs but have little crystals, or the style of her socks, even though they are white plain socks with small lace at the top. I find it to be ridiculous, the teachers waste 5-10 minutes of class telling off girls about their uniform instead of teaching and handling bullies. My daughter is in year 11 and the school should be teaching her the curriculum to prepare for year 12 exams instead of chastising her for petty reasons about her socks! My daughter's depressive episodes appear during the school terms and I believe it is best to take her out of this school for year 12 next year, as the teachers are not doing any benefit for her learning either. This school has gone downhill since 2020 when we enrolled her and I do not recommend any parent who wants their daughter to be happy in her school environment and focus on her studies to choose this school. It is purely focused on rules, restriction and promoting bullies.

By Student - 30 Mar 2024, Rate: bad

incredibly bad bullying, ruined my mental health for many years and very glad i will be leaving soon.

By Student - 16 Mar 2024, Rate: good

Coming from a student who went to a co-ed school that had some sexist beliefs, I’m so glad I can participate in a variety of sports and activities without being seen as lesser as my old school did. The school is good but I don’t like how they support girls being they/them and other stuff like that, because as a girls school they should support women being confident in their own sex! Every year level has an increasing amount of girls who are opting out of womanhood which is really disappointing to see in a space that’s supposed to make girls feel empowered. I really like all the sports opportunities and think the school does a good job at respecting students, aside from the progressive pandering.

By Parent - 09 Mar 2024, Rate: poor

bit of discrimination towards girls who are not popular and rich. i will be sending my daughter to another school next year as she has been targeted by snobby students. teachers need to acknowledge cliques and bullies instead of uniform problems such as not wearing the right colour socks or accidentally wearing pe uniform on a day without pe. rules are ridiculous at times and students are very loud on public transport as well

By Student - 03 Mar 2024, Rate: bad

An incredibly horrible place. My friend who left this school a year ago still has trauma about this place, particularly about being forced to go to marshmead despite clearly stating the need to not go there and having said request denied. My friend and I were bullied relentlessly by a group of kids who claimed to be nice to others and we ended up struggling with our mental health a lot. I'm particularly flabbergasted that the school could force someone to go to marshmead against the student's desire, absolutely horrendous behaviour on the school's behalf. I'm glad my friend was able to leave before needing to go to marshmead and I'm more than glad to be in my last year at this nightmare centre. To be forced to spend a month in a secluded environment with the people who bullied you is absolutely nightmarish and I'm thankful my friend and I did not have to experience that. However, we did deal with a lot of trauma and fear every time we went to school. My friend still gets anxiety when going anywhere near MLC, and I am extremely terrified to go to school most days. The teachers did not seem to help with this bullying and it still continues to this day, particularly with students "accidentally" pushing you and gossiping behind your back. Things were physical in the younger year levels although thankfully it seems to be toned down these days. I'm absolutely disappointed in this school and beg you to never send your child here. Being a student at this school is horrible and I'm truly counting down the days until I, too, can leave this place. It has left lasting scars and an awful impact on both my friend and I, and I believe these bullies should NOT be getting away with this at all.

By Student - 19 Feb 2024, Rate: bad

Is the cause of my depression. This school has lovely teachers and a beautiful environment but the bullying is beyond horrible. I attempted to join a variety of clubs during lunchtimes only to be met with exclusion and bullying. I'm often terrified to participate in class because of my bullies and avoid drawing attention to myself in fear that I will be targeted. Every day is like hell and nothing stops these bullies. I am naturally a very extroverted, talkative person but every time I step foot at MLC I keep my mouth shut and suffer alone because the school is peppered with bullies.

By Student - 24 Jan 2024, Rate: bad

As the school starting date comes closer, the more terrified I become. I am unable to sleep at night during school days because of the bullying, and the trauma it caused me continues to haunt my worst nightmares.
I wish my parents sent me to another school. Very very miserable 4 years so far and 5th will be just as bad. I have had nothing but negative experiences at MLC.
I have dealt with self esteem issues and diagnosed depression due to the immense bullying at this school.
Unfortunately the school cares more about uniform than handling bullies. My bullies are being awarded big sister roles despite their actions. I am scared and have panic attacks when I think of school and the bullies.

By Parent - 08 Dec 2023, Rate: good

My daughter likes the school. Teaching and Materials are good. Your daughter can find many girls that fits. Every school has couple of bad apples.We don't know much because we are new to the secondery school.

By Student - 23 Nov 2023, Rate: excellent

Very supportive of academic changes in the older years and understanding towards students. Teachers ensure you will be supported for the next year towards the end of the current one and lots of communication with parents and students.
Good teaching and students are quite nice as well. Some bad apples but that is everywhere. Some teachers are a bit strict but otherwise very good and understanding towards academic struggles, the school counselling helped me a lot during this year and I am pleased to have been supported tremendously during my final years of school.

By Parent - 04 Nov 2023, Rate: bad

Too much screen time assignments at secondary school. This is not good.They should provide work on papers and let children to write on papers and books. Creativity is not promoted. Academic studies is general like an ordinary public school.We are moving next year.

By Parent - 21 Aug 2023, Rate: excellent

The way teachers police uniform is bizarre. My daughter is often targeted for miniscule things such as the colour of her hair tie, which was a pink hair tie she had found lying around as there weren't any other ones available, and is then upset for the entire day due to being singled out and chastised by a figure of authority when she is almost an adult and should be learning how to express and take care of herself as she pleases. She saved up for a long time to buy a pair of gold earrings that were a pair of sleepers, which are accepted in the uniform policy, and then were told that they were "slightly too big" to be acceptable earrings for school. This school is ridiculous with its uniform policy and should concentrate on actually teaching the students instead. It only serves as a distraction from education. Who cares what colour your hair tie is, or if your simple gold earrings aren't appropriate.

By Parent - 02 Aug 2023, Rate: average

To 02nd of August parent,
I got a feeling recently the school is not focus on academically gifted kids and no extention/accelerated classes for highly able students.What school you are moving to because I am looking for options?

By Parent - 02 Aug 2023, Rate: poor

Not a good option if your daughter is gifted or in need of extra supports. She is moving schools soon. Do not be charmed by the marketing of this school like we were, it’s all talk and they do not have the framework to support your gifted daughter. Too much focus on athletics & cheer/dance/gymnastics for us. No one takes responsibility for the gifted kids and my daughter (who is sensitive to rejection or even perceived rejection) feels bullied and is overwhelmed by the sheer number of girls. She doesn’t know who her friends are from day to day.

By Student - 25 Jul 2023, Rate: good

education is good and teachers are helpful and friendly. couple bad apples but its a big school so you dont have to interact with them. ib program is very good and marshmead for year 9 is an unforgettable amazing experience. only problem is that its slightly competitive academic wise, youve got high expectations but its a part of life and you have to learn to cope with that

By Parent - 22 Jul 2023, Rate: bad

My daughter has been regularly bullied here and lots of gossip is here, definitely do not recommend.

By Parent - 16 Jul 2023, Rate: bad

My daughter is currently in year 12 and dealt with extreme depression during her time at MLC. We are very grateful it is her last year, as she is struggling immensely although the school does not seem to acknowledge or do anything about snobby girls who make the environment awful for everyone else. The school cares more about its image than its students.

By Student - 09 Jul 2023, Rate: bad

counting down the months until i graduate. please don't send your child here, please. there are so many bullies, it's a toxic environment and very miserable overall. my friend who just got out of mlc and i endured a lot of bullying from a group of kids throughout the years. the academics is ok but its hard to focus and study when you are beign bullied. reading all these negative reviews here i notice a pattern in bullying, at least it makes me feel less alone that ive had to endure this for my whole high school years

By Student - 23 Jun 2023, Rate: bad

They do not offer any help for students who are getting bad grades. Instead, they contact the parents about the disappointing grades and as a result, the child endures abuse and punishment from the parents.
This school is atrocious at maintaining students wellbeing. Discouraging and punishes students for not getting good grades instead of attempting to fix the problem.

By Student - 19 Jun 2023, Rate: average

couple bullies but some kids are nice, got to find where u fit in. the girls get nicer in year 11 and 12. good education

By Parent - 31 May 2023, Rate: good

My daughter seems to be happy at MLC. She loves the school and what it offers.She told me teachers do care about children's education.

By Employee - 24 May 2023, Rate: bad

There are big problems here. Very, very depressed and over worked staff. Antiquated ways of infantalising girls eg bringing their lost property to them by security delivering it to their classrooms rather than expecting them to be responsible and actually not lose expensive uniform or go and look in the lost property box yourself! Many sexist PE teachers and make teachers in general who the students have wrapped around their little fingers as all they have to do is batt their eyelashes and dorky Dr Geekipants or Mr Mascy will suddenly go all jelly like and let them do what they like. The students can be nice but are largely rich and entitled and incredibly vacuous. They will not extend your gifted child as the teachers are too stressed and are treated like children by management. Be careful what you wish for if you've been charmed by this school. Their marketing budget of over a million is sure to be convincing.

By Parent - 23 May 2023, Rate: bad

Lots of bullying here. My daughter has been struggling badly due to it do not recommend at all

By Student - 21 May 2023, Rate: bad

The academics, the teachers, it isn't the problem. They have amazing programs and learning, although it is extremely hard to learn and concentrate due to the immense amount of bullying amongst the students. The students here, put it lightly, are selfish pricks who do everything in their power to make anyone who isn't like them feel horrible. The amount of severe bullying, exclusion and plain unpalatable behaviour is utterly appalling. Students who are different, whether it's due to being neurodivergent, a little odd, having different interests, anything, really, are bullied to the maximum and beaten down to the point where depression is bound to occur. I'm currently in my last few years here and I'm surprised I've survived this long. I have severe depression due to endless bullying and can't focus on my studies as a result. I spend lunchtimes avoiding the bullies and dread going to school every day, although I have no choice but to stay here. This school is full of atrocious students who will ostracise anyone who doesn't fit in for any reason, and will chew and spit you up like nothing. The students create a school full of entitled brats, with a couple intelligent folks thrown in who form their own crew and the rest are floating outsiders who don't fit in and are left struggling. Don't send your child here if they struggle to fit in, as they'll definitely end up suffering from depression, school refusal or loneliness.

By Parent - 02 May 2023, Rate: bad

We enrolled our daughter in Year 5 at MLC believing it would offer many opportunities that we were not afforded during our time at school. Our daughter spent 5.5 years there until she eventually agreed that it was taking a huge toll on her well-being. I expected this school to be elitist but not the ice cold culture it was. Unless you looked a particular way, spoke a particular way and were utterly superficial, most girls at this school would completely ignore you and treat you like you were literally a nobody. My daughter made 1 really nice friend at this school in 5.5 years.
She has now spent a year at a different co Ed private school and is a different person. She is happy. People treat her the way she treats them. Friendships seem easy compared to the horrible struggle we experienced. She no longer sits in the car after school silent and ready to cry. I am so utterly relieved.
The teachers at MLC in the junior school were truely wonderful and my daughter had an overall good time there year 5 and 6. Not after that.
I cannot describe on here how awful it was.
One positive was the 8 week experience at Marshmead. She will forever have great memories from the experience there.
There was no real support. Teachers and head of school threw the onus back on her, nothing at all was ever done to help her. I couldn’t force her out so I gave her time but she felt stuck, had lost all confidence in herself and felt like going somewhere else might even be worse. After many conversations and late nights she took the chance for change.
MLC does not develop “world ready women” like their slogan a few years back instead it develops world ready leftist activists and girls who are not encouraged to be kind at all.
My daughter is thriving now, happy and her confidante is growing every day. it’s never too late to change your environment and find peace.

By Student - 23 Apr 2023, Rate: average

Yes, some girls are very bitchy and wealthy. They don't respect other girls and try to bully them. Teachers and management do not know how to handle those girls. They are dumb and just wealthy. Some girls behavior is unacceptable. The school should care about how to handle bullies, not uniforms.

By Parent - 29 Mar 2023, Rate: average

Some girls are very much snobby and bullies. Staff is helpless and they can not control them. They do not want to loose children who pay money and who are wealthy. The school should be able to find ways to control bullies and snobby. Bullies know how to lie and control the whole situation and escape. They need to get psychological treatment. My advice is to inform the school at an early stage if your child gets targeted by a bully. Email the school and keep records. Don't give a chance for bullying your child because it will damage your child's confidence. There are many schools really strict on bullies and create a better learning environment for children. There are many ways children can learn how to be resilient independent, and strong. They don't want to get bullied at school. Speak up, please

By Parent - 06 Feb 2023, Rate: average

Does anybody know how academics works for academically gifted students? Any special or accelerated programmes? Do they cater the needs of academically gifted kids?

By Student - 07 Dec 2022, Rate: poor

As a current high school student here who has spent my whole schooling journey at MLC, I have mixed feelings reading these reviews. The academics at this school are hit-and-miss but the opportunities are amazing. Unfortunately, the preference for sports over music is very significant, and the school shows an obvious bias toward athletes. The Junior School has some gems of teachers but doesn't raise kids to be kind. Almost everyone I know has had a bad Junior School experience at MLC. MLC is a big school, With an intake of 150 students in Year 7, students get washed away in a crowd and it is very hard to get help in a bullying-type scenario. Snobs rule this school and disrespect is normal. I've been bullied. Every year. I am a G&T (gifted and talented) student and the extension programs in the Junior School are AMAZING, but as soon as you hit Year 7 it goes downhill. Send your kid here if they are a Sport loving, popular kid. They will fit right in. But to those with gifted kids or those with kids in the performing arts- YOU CAN DO BETTER. If you do decide to send your kid to MLC- PLEASE DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF STICKING THROUGH ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS THAT MAKES THEM UPSET. PLEASE SPEAK UP!

By Parent - 01 Oct 2022, Rate: good

Can more parents of high achieving girls provide more comments? I want to know what support they provide for gifted children because it is hard to take a decision whether private or public best suit for high achivers.It's always good to be with like minded kids.

By Parent - 09 Sep 2022, Rate: excellent

This is great school. With absolutely unparalleled understanding of how to deal with girls in different age groups. They truely build girls up as resilient beings. They understand diversity and discipline. School is invested in your child’s well being and constantly educates you as parent too. In this ever changing landscape of virtual reality challenge and artificial intelligence school knows what they are doing

By Alumnus - 06 Sep 2022, Rate: average

Good buildings, the teachers are well qualified and knowledgeable in their fields. But the school doesn't support you well especially in later grades unless you're a student who gets an A grade average across all subjects (or if you're a really great athlete, or if your family is prestigious/rich). Wellbeing programs are a hit and miss - some staff and facilities are really good in these areas, others only care about damage control once the problem has already occurred. Most of the teachers I knew were pretty good though. Marshmead is also very much a hit or miss sort of thing... only go if you're absolutely 1000% sure you're able to cope, because if you struggle, you won't get support aside from the occasional threat of getting sent home. There's usually heaps of pressure to go on the camp, but for lots of people I know, the long term consequences it had for their mental health and relationships completely outweighed the benefits. For me personally, there were some not so great events that happened (out of both my and the school's control) so my viewpoint probably has some negative bias. If it's the right sort of school for you, then you'll thrive for sure.

By Alumnus - 06 Sep 2022, Rate: good

honestly, for me it wasn't that bad. the lower grade teachers are... questionable but through 11 and 12 mlc puts a decent effort in providing a good education. ive never been bullied before and had an overall positive perspective on my cohort. i think the biggest takeaway is that it really depends on your luck/the people you associate with. mlc provides both the worst and the best teachers. i remember seeing this review board a few years ago when i started mlc but the mlc experience for me has been nothing but neutral. i disliked some teachers, others taught me lessons of a lifetime. the counselling at mlc is a joke but that's not really surprising. the variety of subjects available at mlc is something that really sets it apart from other schools. i really got to do many of the subjects i loved with teachers who would support me through year 11 and 12. marshmead was a great experience from me and id go again if i could. its a pretty good school, just good luck and dont think too much.

By Parent - 05 Sep 2022, Rate: excellent

Is this a good school? We are planning to enroll our daughter. The comments are really bad here. Please help.

By Parent - 29 Aug 2022, Rate: good

I have two daughters at MLC and can say the junior school is excellent. The senior school is pretty good if you stay on them when there are issues. That means we have had issues but the school takes parent feedback seriously and has put things in place to make sure the issues don't continue - I've been really impressed with the response. We don't live in Kew/Hawthorn and I have never heard the girls say that they're made fun of because we're not as well off as some of the families. One of my daughters receives learning support and the improvement in her academically since moving to MLC is amazing. New Principal next year so will be interesting to see what happens.

By Parent - 27 Aug 2022, Rate: excellent

Can anyone tell whether MLC good for academically exhell students? I can see a lot of negative reviews here. I enrolled my daughter for next year. After seen these comments we have started to worry a lot.

By Alumnus - 04 May 2022, Rate: bad

Do not waste your money. The school is terrible. I was bullied relentlessly by students and staff. Going to marshmead has scarred me indefinitely even though it is over 20 years ago i can't recover psychologically. I was persecuted by my house mates and the house teachers just joined in. I am still so angry at the breach of trust. Many teachers were cruel to me. I was made to feel worthless and stupid. The the majority of girls are just horrible, cruel,evil people. The school just loves the rich and the famous. When i left mlc i discovered i wasn't as stupid as the teachers told me. I was even assaulted by a teacher in year 10 and the class just joined in and laughed at me. I relive the pain and trauma of this place daily. What is worse that the teacher/s that bullied me at marshmead go on to get prestigious jobs in education in melbourne whilst my life is in tatters. Do not send your daughter there if she is a bit different, got a learning disability or doesn't live in camberwell or hawthorn. I lived in a poor suburb at the time and was the butt of a lot of jokes. Reading these reviews online the school hasn't changed. I thought the school was expensive but nothing is as expensive as psychiatrist and psychologist bills that have no end date in sight.

By Student - 30 Apr 2022, Rate: average

Regarding the review “ They say that they care ABOUT EACH AND EVERY STUDENTS WELLBEING but doesn't do any about it! ” It’s been a few months and I have actually changed my opinion. Like all schools, MLC has its ups and downs. If you’re starting new at MLC, I suggest you pick the right people to be with, right from day one.

By Student - 08 Apr 2022, Rate: average

Very money hungry. Majority of their facilities were by donation although they very well and truly can afford it. We have 4 lessons a day with each one being 70 hours instead of other schools where they have 6 lessons a day each being 40-50 minutes. Teachers care a lot about uniform, you get punished walking out of school wearing a jumper which is absolutely ridiculous. Teachers claim to care about students when they don't actually. There has been reports of racism especially to international students. At least none of the teachers are pedophiles i think. Teachers aren't that good though. Mean to students although the student's parents are the reason why they aren't homeless begging in the streets. Some teachers just make us do work and never teaches which is rather unreasonable since we can't do something we haven't learnt. There are worser schools but if you ask me, save the money. Go to PLC or Ruyton or somewhere.

By Student - 22 Mar 2022, Rate: average

I am going to start at this school and a lot of negative comments about the school. I asked my mum to check with her friends. My mums friends are from Chinese culture and said the girls there are so rude and the staff is bit scared of their parents and remain silent. Is this true? As well said the school over use students for marketing. Is this true? Can anyone explain me the truth? How's the teachers there? Any problems?

By Parent - 24 Jan 2022, Rate: good

The school is wonderful academically. However, my child was bullied by a group of six girls. I suggest sending your child here, although being careful of certain people like this.

By Student - 18 Sep 2021, Rate: bad

They say that they care ABOUT EACH AND EVERY STUDENTS WELLBEING but doesn't do any about it! I've seen many girls been bullied and on top of that, teachers reward them with leadership roles, praises etc. Yes, this school does have a lot of opportunities, but if their wellbeing sucks, many girls who need extra support don't feel welcomed, what's the point? If your daughter isn't outgoing, straight A student, athletic, don't send her here! It's only going to damage her mental wellbeing even more. There are much better schools such as Ruyton or even Carey and they're just right around the corner.

By Student - 23 Aug 2021, Rate: bad

its horrible and teachers are mean and dont help

By Student - 10 Aug 2020, Rate: good

I'm a secondary school student here. In the earlier years of high school, I was bullied by a group of "popular" girls. It damaged my self-esteem a little, although the next year I was placed in a much better class, where students actually cared about their grades.
Overall, in my opinion it depends on your luck. If you're surrounded by ungrateful brats who don't care about education, your experience will most likely be more negative.
My experience with the teachers at this school is quite positive. They care about your learning and want the best for you. I'm not sure if it depends on your grades, as I do achieve quite well in studies.
I wouldn't discourage you from sending your daughter here. It'll teach her how to stand up for herself and develop a thick skin. I learnt that through my early years of high school and also figured out the importance of being yourself.
Yes, the dress code is quite strict.The peer pressure to break rules is there, which again, could teach your children the importance of standing up for themselves and knowing what's right or wrong.
I'd rate this school a 7/10.

By Parent - 11 Feb 2020, Rate: good

MLC is a good school, although the recent new building (only for year 7’s) has taken away what little sports grounds they had and they didn’t actually need more class rooms, the school has plenty. Some of the older buildings, the year 8 Cato building as an example, has a very limited air conditioning and gets extremely hot on some summer days.

By Parent - 25 Jan 2020, Rate: average

There are positives at MLC, but there are also negatives. The opportunity to attend Marshmead and Banksia gave my daughter a well rounded school life experience that gave her confidence and more independence. However, the cliques and friendship groups were unhealthy and many girls were unhappy, the school focuses well on education but fails to care about, teach or encourage the values of getting along, inclusiveness & kindness. Also, the the focus on caring for the environment at Marshmead doesn’t carry over to the Kew campus, maybe instead of the exorbitant spending on advertising, they could put the money towards recycling bins, less waste and extending the current 2 year change over on laptops to reduce landfill.

By Student - 09 Nov 2019, Rate: poor

i had the worst experience. i just finished year 9 at mlc. anyone these days can get a scholarship, there desperate for average students to climb the student population. i would recommend going to Melbourne girls or any other school. however a main issue i felt was an inconvenience towards the wealthy was the 'scholarship kids' MLC shouldn't be turning into a middle class school. it should represent everyone but the peasants from out of the city. to all the others, i personally believe it would be beneficial towards your future to go to a more suitable school where you feel connected towards you're peers. i hope this is a learning curve to realise were you will grow because teachers don't care about anyone but the rich and gifted.

By Student - 08 Nov 2019, Rate: poor

By Student - 12 Nov 2018, Rate: bad

A horrible place not at all friendly. It’s very impersonal and it was a miserable and unhappy experience. Some teachers were nice but were interested only in certain students. Basically it’s an environment of privilege and nepotism, where accountability is absent and meritocracy an alien concept. I have lots of friends from outside MLC who have had a much more positive experience. It’s run like a business not a school and even though I left 2 years ago the place still sends shivers down my spine. Don’t send your daughters here there are much better schools.

By Parent - 12 Sep 2018, Rate: poor

MLC is a toxic environment steeped in cronyism, for those on the outside you’re anonymous amongst the 3,000 plus students. The school doesn’t live up to the advertising and hype, student wellbeing is non-existent, in fact they reward the “outgoing” bullies with leadership roles and discourage individuals more deserving. A majority of staff present as disingenuous and a couple in positions of some authority have an arrogant, dismissive and dictatorial attitude. There is a huge turnover in staff and although a few good teachers mostly they weren’t very impressive. In VCE my daughter was given two teachers who were new to teaching VCE and one new to the school. My only regret is that I didn’t move her from the school after Year 8 and saved her from feeling totally disheartened. I’m sure those with previous associations with the school will have a more positive experience but for our family it was a different story. I would not recommend MLC for the cost there are much better options.

By Alumnus - 18 Aug 2018, Rate: bad

Although I graduated just about 10 years ago from today, this school gives me nightmares all the time. It's as clear as yesterday and unfortunately no compensation can replace "what once my childhood" was here. The junior school was fine with the teachers, so far as I remember it. The teachers looked after me, especially in the specialist units. Just the girls were not that well taught in proper respect and attitude towards different people from an early age. My happy childhood completely ended at 10 years old.
From Year 7 onwards (high school), it was a nightmare - teachers did not help out girls being bullied. In my case, because I was different from everyone else, I was shunned which made me feel very depressed. Still remember teacher asking if I actually had any friends to hang out with and I said no, and they said 'You must have' and kept saying 'No'. They refused to help me out on that basis and the counsellors too. I was always lonely at lunchtime feeling depressed because I was just a "number" to this school, and not treated as a proper teenager or helped at all because I had special needs. Despite not having a lot of choices in academia (I was not very good to be honest!) in the high school, it was the only thing I enjoyed out of my childhood.
Some of the subjects were not great like history (should have been world history), computer sciences (not offered back in the early 2000s), religion (which was taught until Y12) so I self-taught myself how to do some of these things.
To be honest, the school academia was actually very poor compared to schools in the UK or NZ and yet they want good advertising, promotion and image when in reality, the school acutally sucks.
I got bullied very severely in the high school and justice has never been served to me for the damages that they did on my mental health and wellbeing.
If there was another school with a mainstream with a specialist support unit available, I would definitely go to that one. Unfortunately people are more ignorant.

By Student - 05 Aug 2018, Rate: bad

Being a student at MLC, the campus isn’t that bad. They have new changing rooms for the swimming area (2018) and all he classrooms in wood at air conditioned. But, they are removing half the oval for a new building that we DO NOT NEED. We have plenty of space and MLC is making a whole building just for year sevens.
The teachers only focus on the smart people and make the dumb people answer the questions to make them more confused, once I asked for help on a French question and my teacher made it 150 times more confusing.
The dress code is stupid, why do we need so many rules for how we have to dress? We are forced to wear a badge in the shape of a star visable at all times, and you know what my dads friend pointed out? ‘Why do you have to wear stars? Your Jewish! Do you know how bad that is?’ We have made many complaints to MLC and they do nothing.
Once someone in my class came and sat down tear struck, teacher asked me to go outside and talk. We talked problem was solved she was just having a bad day. We went back inside, she had a smile on her face, teacher made her go to councillor and came back with tears down her face again. The councillors are terrible and make you feel bad, and even worse they tell your parents everything that has happened, even though they tell you they won’t.
In home group they make us have assigned seats, which is fine but I’m stuck with three girls who are bffs and they constantly chat 24/7 and our table always gets in trouble. I’m a introvert and don’t say a lot and it’s not fair that the teachers don’t realise that I’m not doing anything wrong. Everyone in our class, despite the seating plan, in the morning always group together in there own little groups. So much for making new friends. Everyone talks about each other behind their backs and no one understands mental illness. I remember once people in the table next to me were talking about which marsh mead term they wanted and one of them actually said this. ‘Oh I’ll just tell the teachers I have anxiety and can’t go in term 1 as it’s too stressful’ I have anxiety and this actually got me so mad. Another example is this: we had to do this random act of kindness thing over the week where we got someone’s name and we had to do something nice to them. Not even five minutes after we got the names, Sarah(let’s call her Sarah) comes up to me and says ‘OMG Bella(not my name) you are so talented and you are an amazing singer and yeah.’ And just walks back to her friends. I ran to the bathroom and actually started crying. The fact that she just told me this means that she didn’t care and just wanted to get it over with. People at MLC are such bitches, it’s when you find the non-bitches you find good friends.

By Student - 03 Oct 2016, Rate: bad

Absolutely Horrible. All they focus on are the 'amazing' or 'gifted' students. but if you're not one, you're just another number to the school. they focus very highly on their reputation and advertising, such as pulling kids out of class just to get 'photo-shoots' done for advertising.

By Parent - 27 Sep 2016, Rate: excellent

As a parent of two girls at MLC I have been VERY impressed with the school's teaching staff - and that's reflected in the very strong vce results each year. This school is consistently at the top.
My daughters have commented about the "stuck up" attitude of SOME of their peers, but most of the girls are terrific.
It may be that as most of the girls hail from Kew or other wealthy suburbs there is an entitlement culture among a minority of them

By Student - 06 Sep 2016, Rate: bad

horrible school. never let your kids go here

By Student - 02 May 2016, Rate: bad

ITS ALL LIES DONT BELIEVE ANYTHIG THEY SAY. THIS. IS. NOT. A. GOOD. SCHOOL. ID RATHER BE DEAD THAN COMPLETE ANOTHER YEAR AT THIS HELL HOLE

By Student - 30 Apr 2016, Rate: bad

i do not like this school at all. currently i am in year 9 at MLC and this is the worst school for 'becoming world ready women' yes i will agree it does have good teaching there but the school is filled with bitches. i am hoping i will move in year 10 to a less bitchy school. the counselors at mlc dont even help you so they serve no real purpose. i know a girl who has scars up her arm and she always would wear long sleeves (like the mlc jumper even on 45 degree days) and one day she took off the jumper all the girls acted like bitches and do you know what the teachers did? instead of helping her they made her put her jumper back on. mlc has actually crushed my spirit and my willingness to learn.

By Parent - 14 Jun 2015, Rate: excellent

I came upon this website when browsing an auction result. Have to leave a review of this fantastic school to add some balance to the reviews above.
My family has had a long association with MLC. It is a very special place that has all the resources a school could need so that each student CAN in fact find their place and be their best. The multiple support systems including teams of counsellors, educational support staff, integration aides and heads of house, heads of school and their teams of dedicated home room teachers is comprehensive. Our daughter has had an amazing experience so far .. with all the ups and downs of adolescence and we have been well supported by MLC at every turn.
We all want to give our children the best chances and opportunities in life and my family is very very pleased with the choice and sacrifices we have made in sending our daughter to MLC.

By Student - 01 Jun 2015, Rate: bad

I agree I was good enough to be moved up a level in one of the LOTE subjects, and the French teacher Madame Lloyd discriminated against my and said I was too immature to be moved up a level. In my primary school I was good enough to do higher level maths and even if cried if one kid bullied me they didn't discriminate against students who were more sensitive, and the primary school teachers actually did stuff to correct the behaviour of the bullies. I read in one review that the drama teacher at that school encouraged bullying to recreate the atmosphere at NIDA which is why I wouldn't waste time studying drama there. One of my friends at MLC was suicidal over the bullying and they did nothing for her well being. They also had the stupidest counsellors there who gave really shit house advice. They did not address the bullying. The counsellor said she needed to see a psychiatrist and go on drugs and drop out of specialist maths, chemistry,physics because they discriminated against her being psychologically injured from the bullying, but if they were like my primary school they would have spoken to the bully and forced them to apologise to my friend and then my friend would not have felt suicidal in the long term. It's a like they call that feminist school when they discourage certain individuals even when they are good enough, and reward aggressive bitchy tyhpes. Ruyton teachers a better at looking after girls well being and dealing with more sensitive students that need emotional support. They also allow Ruyton to spend one year with Trinity so they are better equipped to deal with boys earlier. I also read that people at Carey are nicer and I would rather the government fund Ruyton and Carey in improving their grades because of the fact there is less bullying and neglect there. Carey students should be coached to outperform Haileybury and single sex schools so that people can go to a co ed school especially if they think the presence of the opposite sex reduces the pms like bitchiness of mlc girls .This place sucked the soul out of me, and I wish they compensated me for that. This place is a massive factory where they only look after a select number of students, and every just looks nice on the poster, but that school does not teach all girls to be nice compassionate and empathetic. I don't know if they can teach that to insecure girls at that troubling age of 15-16 when girls get snarky and mean.

By Student - 08 Mar 2015, Rate: excellent

My experience is very different from the other comments posted up here. Personally I think MLC is a wonderful school, most people are friendly, the teachers are all amazing and I'm having a great time here. I think whether or not you enjoy your time here or not is to do with how you adapt personally to the school, and it's got nothing to do with the school itself.

By Alumnus - 08 Dec 2014, Rate: poor

I found the culture very snobby and elitist. Pastoral care non-existent despite all the marketing. I did have a couple of wonderful teachers there though who did inspire a love of learning and the motivation to continue on to tertiary study. Emphasis was on the academic not on student welfare. Would not send my daughters there.

By Student - 23 Aug 2014, Rate: bad

I hate this school so much. They don't care about you, too expensive, lots of bullying and they try to make it look amazing but it's not. They don't spend any money on the things that need improvement. Everyone is horrible to each other and I haven't got a good word to say about it. I have never been so unhappy in my entire life. I have had issues with people here they say they'll fix it - they don't. And lastly their advertising is misleading, I haven't found my place at mlc

By Student - 13 Aug 2014, Rate: poor

the teachers don't care weather you are getting bad scores or not they don't try and help you improve. the star cafe basically only sells junk and they only want a good reputation nothing else and way to much homework.

By Student - 11 Aug 2012, Rate: poor

Very impersonal, and all about promotion and image. I've never felt so unimportant in my life. MLC does offer a lot, but unless your an outgoing, perfect A+ student and athlete, prepare to get lostin a grade of 300 sheep. Your just a number at MLC. Myself, If was also a boarder, and concidering we pay almost double normal fees we were offered a unhappy and unhealthy environment. The food is hideous and chefs lazy. Everything is broken and never fixed, and tutors are only thereforthe pay, and like the teachers, not wanting any personal relationship with the girls at all. I found MLC to be purely based on maintaining it's name and reputation, and in turn completely becoming a business, not a school.

By Parent - 22 Oct 2009, Rate: average

As an ex-parent of the MLC community I was quite disappointed after being told that it was such a fantastic big school with so much to offer. This is true- it's a large school with many subject offerings, but with that said, my daughter didn't have much freedom with what she could choose- that's a different story. Unfortunately the year level my girl was in was a bad one, and most of the girls in the whole Senior school were just like that. My daughter was bullied. The teachers weren't very impressive and MLC only catered for the smarter students. I would not send any of my other children to MLC. My girl moved to a smaller school in Toorak and enjoys it much more.