Girton Grammar School, Bendigo School Reviews

Girton Grammar School, Bendigo

School Reviews

By Student - 16 Mar 2023, Rate: bad

They only care about their image, basically saying that, in public we can't be rude to eachother but in school it's fine. The expectations are much too high and teachers don't care.

By Parent - 28 Jan 2023, Rate: bad

Sending our children to Girton will forever be the worst decision we have ever made. If you value your child's personal and emotional safety, stay clear of this school, the negative impact this environment can have on a child is devastating. Would not hold out hope for change with a leadership team entrenched in a culture of nepotism and image preservation at all costs. If you're considering this school for your child, make sure you do your research, canvas locals who do not teach at, or have children at the school. Make financial allowances for added extras and the additional tutoring which will be required due to teaching inadequacies. Do not be enticed by the marketing, save your family the trauma and look elsewhere for your child's education. Our children are thriving away from this environment

By Student - 11 Nov 2022, Rate: bad

I currently go to this school and let me tell you IT IS THE WORST! So many people bully me

By Employee - 19 Sep 2022, Rate: bad

I have heard from former students that this School is highly overrated and the expectations of staff and teachers are unrealistic and idealistic.
My personal opinion is that advertising the School using a female student who feeds into the narrative that the School produces amazingly intelligent and highly creative students. In the current promotion of the School, using an old advertisement, we are being subjected to an obnoxious presentation of a female student promoting herself as a talented 'singer, drama person who loves to 'move', as well as her academic abilities is cringeworthy and overthetop. As well, why are we not seeing a male student 'advertise' the School's wonderful attributes and tell us how fantastically brilliant he and the school are?

By Parent - 23 May 2022, Rate: average

i got bullied here from being fat but some people are nice and the teachers can target some people in my opion

By Alumnus - 08 Dec 2021, Rate: poor

Starting in year 7 with no friends from my school, the transition was torturous. Teachers belittled and shrugged off diagnosed mental illness as 'being dramatic'. Total lack of regard for mental health amongst staff. Year 12 was the only good year of schooling, and I believe that was due to the increased respect given to you by teachers.
The board is a total joke amongst students, same with the higher up staff such as Mr Smith and Mr Martin, never would I send potentially future children here unless they fit into societies norm of able-bodied, smart, athletic, mentally healthy and sociable.
Few of my fellow ex-students have anything positive to say about the school. Funding was totally lacking in the creative arts (media, design, art) department and it really impacted both the psyche of students. And also the teachers, under pressure to teach with sub-par equipment and spaces.
Go here if you must, I say this but I did have fun I suppose.

By Student - 26 Mar 2021, Rate: bad

The school is outright overrated, the money that you spend is ridiculous, and like me, if you don't achieve academically they will try to put you into programs and try to shut you up, the school is also overwhelmingly tolerant about bullying, especially that they go over their anti-bullying policy twice every 3 months. At times if you are failing or not doing well, the teachers will typically dislike you for making them look bad. if you somewhat struggle at school, this is a terrible school for you. unless you are averaging 85-100% marks, do not go to this school. And another point, during the Covid-19 crisis, the school did almost nothing whatsoever to have kids academically engaged

By Parent - 21 Jan 2021, Rate: excellent

i hate this school. i lost my child mentally and i hate everyone in the school

By Student - 21 Jan 2021, Rate: bad

i’ve gone to this school since prep and even in junior school they put so much pressure on students and expect way too much for them. i was once handed three essays to do in a single night and it was stupid. the school only cares about publicity and what everyone else thinks of them. i got pulled out of class all the time and harassed because of teachers wanting to chat with me about nonsense. this school has affected my mental health and most of my friends. i have tried committing suicide a handful of times because of all this unwanted stress and teachers convincing you that you have to be the best or you’re going to fail in life or become homeless. even the stupid headmaster got drunk then fired. also they take unwanted photos of students randomly to put on their page so they look good

By Parent - 15 Sep 2020, Rate: bad

Don't send your children here. It is basically a big fish in a small puddle. If it is a great VCE score you are after for your child then you will not receive great teaching and will need to supplement the teaching with plenty tutoring $$. There is a very arrogant air about the place. They teach children to think that they are better than others. What is said in meetings is not what actually happens. Girton 15k. Other independent schools in Bendigo 3-4k. Public education, free-ish. If you have the money, look at Ballarat Clarendon. Way better, for less.
Bullying goes unabated.

By Employee - 04 May 2020, Rate: average

Ex employee. I saw and have seen first hand the last 2 heads of the school. I would hope the newly appointed head can heal the culture and morale of the school and return the high academic and co academic standards (moral standards) set under Clayton Jones and Robyn MacCulloch with their senior management team. Unfortunately the school was lead very poorly over the last 9 years by the top. The true Girton way was only sandbagged by determined and strong staff who knew what Girton was and what Girton should and did stand for. Per aspera ad astra - Goodluck!

By Alumnus - 27 Apr 2020, Rate: bad

This school maintains it's a cut above. however, all the high ATAr students in my year got outside tutoring.
The school is all about image and glossy brochures. It was meant to be a good school years ago but it seems that now they spend more on ads and marketing and spin and putting on flash harry productions than on employing great teachers and giving the teachers time to teach properly. The pastoral care shrivelled up and died so bullying does unchecked and lots of excuse making and blaming the victims. There can be a bullying attitude among the teachers too and they favour other teacher's children. If someone leaves Girton they make out it is because they weren't up to Girton standards not not Girton let the student down. They closed up the LRC which used to help students with all sorts of learning. So students who needed help have to get tutoring too. Parents wondered why they paid all the fees when they paid tutors as well. It's not worth the money.

By Student - 09 Apr 2020, Rate: bad

I got bullied the two years I was there. The parents of the bully had stalked me and when my mum rang the school they said they apparently “called the police”. Maruff just did whatever to try keep me there longer, but I started skipping school and tried committing suicide on multiple occasions. Also the head of pastoral care, Rick mcwaters only cares about the money and rubbing his nose everywhere. He rewarded my bully who had moved from the UK. I now don’t trust foreigners because I thonk they’ll do what my bully did. But also in 2016 a student was arrested on campus and all students were locked in classrooms while junior school were having a grandparents day. Nice to know what girton wants to achieve. The development of criminals and money

By Student - 07 Apr 2020, Rate: excellent

This school is AMAZING! I’m not sure about the other reviews, but I’m pretty sure they were posted awhile ago. This school has changed a lot if those reviews are true! First off, the students are nice and welcoming. They include you, and are very disciplined in my opinion. (I came from a different school previously) The teachers are very nice, even though girton does tend to worry about their image a lot. The bullying policy is very refined, and it states that if you bully for no reason, you will be expelled. They did that to a bully in the year above me. They have great co-curriculum activities (there are over 50 to choose from) and have a great music program (I LOVE to sing). Before I came to this school, my maths was average. And then at the end of year 6 (year 6 for me was 1 year at girton) I was at year 8 maths! It’s unbelievable how good the teaching is. You can also learn practically any language! I’m going to learn French all through senior school. If you hate languages, they are not compulsory (from yr 9). My brother also has dyslexia (where you have trouble reading and writing) and he has improved so much at this school! There are so many learning programs there. This is a great school, and you should definitely go there!

By Employee - 12 Feb 2020, Rate: bad

Ex-employee.
Very poor leadership over the past 10 years have seen this school plummet.
Standards down in all areas.
At present would not recommend.

By Alumnus - 05 Feb 2020, Rate: bad

Appalling. The marketing and open days look very inspiring. This is absolutely not the reality. Stressed students and staff. Bullying on many levels. Favouritism and nepotism. If something is not going well for a child they blame parents. Maybe things will improve with a new Head. Meantime, there is a lot of choice and for us this was a waste of money and worse still of course damaging for our children.

By Parent - 18 Sep 2019, Rate: poor

Girton has lost a lot in our opinion. When we came to Bendigo in 2009 we were told it was a wonderful inclusive school that supported lots of different types of children and learning and also got good results. It has changed so much and I wish we had taken our children out years ago, Junior School was okay, if a bit underwhelming in parts and sometimes you wonder whether teachers are chosen because they are related to important people in the school rather than best teachers. I won't mention names. Senior School was a very big disappointment. If the child is academically fine they will still need tutoring as there is a dearth of high level teachers for the vce years eg French and Chemistry was disappointing. If your child has any learning issues they are not likely to be addressed or you pay a lot of extra money for a program that we didn't want to pay for and weren't sure whether it would work. Lots of casual teachers used in senior school. You will most likely find out about any learning issues if you are lucky at the 2 minute crazed parent teacher interviews. With the fee level you would think that there could be more time to spend discussing progress. The teachers seem overworked and stressed. Lots of lip service and marketing was our experience. The bullying as we saw it can end up with victims leaving and the bullies remaining. Our advice would be do your homework at other schools and find the one that suits your children.

By Parent - 10 Sep 2019, Rate: poor

There used to be zero tolerance of bullying at this school, unfortunately this isn’t the case anymore. Senior staff seem apathetic about bullying these days- what happened to the bullying policy?? - agree with others “all that glitters is not gold” glossy magazines couple of nice buildings and that’s about it! Such a shame for a school who used to place importance on pastoral care, traditions, family culture and a first class education.....

By Parent - 15 Aug 2019, Rate: bad

Bullying
Nepotism
Engenders sense of superiority
The talk doesn't match the walk
No learning support
All about image
Too busy to get real learning done
Stressed out staff
Poseur styled leadership
Many students seem to end up in therapy Double standards - an in crowd and an out crowd
Don't believe the hype
We made a big mistake

By Parent - 29 Jul 2019, Rate: bad

It is a good school if you have prior established friendships, there won't be issues, however for at least half the school this isn't the case. If you're in secondary school and new, forget it, your child will be a target just by sheer virtue of the House system which segregates in order of locals and standing. Girton are unresponsive to bullying which is a massive issue. The bullies are empowered as they are protected and not penalised, many of the teachers are friends with the parents so there is bias inbuilt into the system at every stage. It really is 'us and them' no matter how decent a person you are. Not surprised to read other parents are having a similar experience. Suffice to say we have left to go elsewhere.

By Parent - 22 Jul 2019, Rate: poor

Unfortunately once upon a time this was a great school, with standards, a great culture, a vision and a school which was true to its values and mission. Under the current leadership of the school it has become a façade and shell of its former self.

By Parent - 01 Apr 2019, Rate: bad

Girton is more worried about image than quality of education. Big music focus because this is what the current HM likes. If you are board member, teacher or donor at this school, your child will do well.Focus on emotional learning but bullying across both primary and secondary schools is rife. Use of podcasts as teaching method, while teacher sits on computer at desk, is not worth paying $10,000+ per year. Wish Bendigo had one decent school, state or private. Go to Melbourne.

By Student - 21 Feb 2019, Rate: bad

This is the worst school in the world! All they care about is their reputation, they don't even grade their students normally just to make everything seem amazing! Really, I got bullied and teachers did nothing when watching it! I came from a school where you were in a war zone and constantly bullied so my dad sent me to girton grammer school for help! I pleaded to him to let me go to BSE but he wouldn't let me, as a result, I still go to girton. I still hate it more with every coming day... and i've attempted suicide because I go there... Here's some advice parents... NEVER EVER, EVEN IF THEIR/YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, NEVER SEND YOUR CHILDREN TO GIRTON...

By Parent - 02 Mar 2018, Rate: poor

If your kid fits the mould they will possibly thrive here; if they don't, you could struggle to find the support, flexibility and diversity of students that your child needs. Try your local state school instead!

By Student - 04 Feb 2018, Rate: bad

Absolutely terrible! Pastoral care is not up to the standards in my opinion. I noticed the teachers did not genuinely care about the students wellbeing, and only wanted to keep the complaints quiet. After moving from Girton, I am now much happier and feel as though I’m actually getting an education!

By Student - 26 Aug 2017, Rate: excellent

Unless you have ever been schooled anywhere else you will never have insight into what a sadly lacking academic institution this is.
When I went there the highest I was aiming for was teaching. My parents moved me across to Melbourne were I thrived and am now studying Medicine. That never would have happened if i had been left to rot in Girton,

By Parent - 26 Aug 2017, Rate: bad

Agree with everything that has been said in previous negative posts.
Quite scar to think further Australians are being shaped by schools like this and that their lazy attitude to study and the accepted bullying will translate into the workplace as 'normal' further down the line.
We had four children there and pulled all of them out and home schooled until we could transfer them all to Melbourne. Their aspirations for their futures have rocketed.

By Parent - 26 Aug 2017, Rate: bad

Utterly appalling, only stays in business because there is no other private school option in the area.
Teaching staff seem to have very low academic expectations of the pupils and do not encourage them to strive, more of a tow the line school, don't complain, keep your head down and pull your child out quietly if you are going elsewhere.
Bullying IS a massive issue. One child was bullied relentlessly, when her parents complained they were told the child had 'issues'.
Parents took their child to top child psychologist who documented for the school that the child had no issues unless they considered being a gifted academic an issue.
The schools response was to imply 'children who are different somehow bring the bullying on themselves', no address was given to the behaviour of the bullies themselves. it seems to be an accepted part of the school culture. Insular, educationally backward and a terrible environment to expect your child to learn good citizen values.

By Parent - 25 Aug 2017, Rate: bad

Awful awful school ! So many many people say the same things . This school has an ethos of bullying ,and the head and teachers do want to tackle it in any way as they need every dollar to keep it going. Hence all kids with parents who can move their kids away .Some of the bullied who stay if you read deeply have ended up sadly taking their lives. Academically again if this is supposed to be a good school in Victoria , Victorian educational standards we thought were disgustingly woeful . Save your childrens mental health and education ,and place them in Melbourne private schools instead or if you can't , please please place them in any of the state schools in Bendigo instead

By Parent - 25 Aug 2017, Rate: poor

This school was absolutely awful, it left us wondering how bad state education in Australia must be if this was supposed to b a school which provided an elite education.
Academics poor, pastoral care as mentioned above poor and big issues with bullying. we moved over from the UK and our child was so far ahead academically that she was moved forward two years and still was ahead, this school will in no way help your cild meet their full academic potential so spend your money wisely elsewhere.

By Student - 23 Aug 2016, Rate: excellent

terrible in my opinion

By Parent - 01 Aug 2016, Rate: poor

Terrible school in our opinion, pastoral care needs to improve and also academics.

By Student - 01 Aug 2016, Rate: bad

I got bullied at this school, and this bullying was not dealt with! This school needs to start thinking more about the pupils in my opinion! I believe also the academics are poor.

By Parent - 01 Aug 2016, Rate: bad

This school is a disgrace in my opinion, my child was bullied at Girton. Girton has bullying issues, my child was bullied and felt that they were being put down my other children, their academics fell, and now they have moved away from Girton are thriving! Overall in my opinion I would rate Girton very poor!

By Parent - 01 Aug 2016, Rate: excellent

It's an outstanding School. The Pastoral Care system is brilliant. My children have thrived at Girton. They are not world beaters academically but they were taught to make the most of their skills. Both are sensitive kids and their experience has been happy and they have always felt safe there.

By Parent - 16 Jul 2016, Rate: bad

This school falls very short of standards within private schools that we had come to expect after putting three children through private education in the past.
It does not live up to the hype academically and pastoral care is poor.
There is a serious culture of bullying within the school to which a blind eye is turned in order to attempt to maintain the schools reputation.
The level of education is very low in comparison to UK private schooling and if Girton is held out to be an elite school within Victoria I shudder to think what schools within the Australian state system turn out.
Since removing our children from Girton they have thrived.

By Student - 16 Jul 2016, Rate: bad

I totally agree with the pupil who rated bad, bullying was very bad when i went to Girton and the teachers didn't do anything about it!

By Student - 14 Jul 2016, Rate: poor

This school is has issues in my opinion, I personally think one of the main ones are bullying, I come from a school which was meant to be of a similar standard but felt this had an effect on my moods so obviously i fell in academics, in my opinion the teachers could have sorted out the bullying. Student

By Student - 14 Jul 2016, Rate: bad

I went to this school a few years back, coming from quite a academic school, I found that Girton Grammar school although was meant to be one of the best in that area, quite poor in the academic subjects, the teachers were unresponsive and in my opinion were not very concerned about the children. When I was bullied they tried to brush it off and making excuses instead of sorting the problem out. I would give this school a poor rating as in my opinion I found it did not care about the students.

By Current Pupil - 20 May 2008, Rate: good

This school is awesome. the facilities are fantastic, the students and teachers are very caring. The headmaster, Mr Jones, is so cool! He is a very nice man with a good sence of humour but also good at diciplining...lol, it is so sad thet he will be leaving. Personally, i love this school, i came from a school in a different town and was welcomed into Girton Grammar well. I couldn't have come to a better school!