SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Darlinghurst School Reviews

SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Darlinghurst

School Reviews

By Alumnus - 12 Jan 2024, Rate: good

I just graduated this year and while I can relate to a lot of the reviews saying there is a sense of elitism, I think it mostly depends on the people in the cohort and how they were personally raised. The majority of people in my year come from very privileged backgrounds, but I believe coming to SCEGGS has helped them mature and appreciate it rather than trapping them in the 'private school bubble' that's so often talked about - the school itself fosters introspective individuals. The fees are very expensive for such a small campus with limited sporting facilities, however the real benefit of going to SCEGGS is the connections that are made there. The teachers are also extremely helpful - as someone who never ranked highly in any subjects, I was given so many opportunities to talk to my teachers on their own time, which I think shows the great care SCEGGS goes to to hire teachers who are empathetic and passionate about their work.
Overall I believe it is a great school, but your experience will depend on your cohort and who you choose to surround yourself with.

By Alumnus - 11 Oct 2022, Rate: bad

i spent 2 years at this school and can confidently say that it was the worse 2 years of my life.

By Student - 12 Sep 2022, Rate: excellent

i started at sceggs last year for year 7 and was extremely nervous, as i am not as priviledged as others at the school and am attending on a scholarship. However, the girls, staff and general community are so amazing, I had no reason to worry at all. SCEGGS is so connected to the community, giving away everything they can to places such as the Rough Edges cafe and to many other charities throughout the community on a regular basis. This goes so far as to walk out in the community and talk to people who may be sleeping rough, as well as providing home-cooked meals for them, cooked by the girl's families. The school is a very accepting place, and makes everyone feel welcome in a diverse environment. Every student is given a chance to thrive in a school that has been shaped by the girls who have gone there previously, and all talents are appreciated and developed, whether you are musical or sporty, academic or artistic, a socialite or a introvert. The school values everyone and the staff do everything possible to make people feel comfortable and give them the best environment to excel in. There are many opportunities to collaborate with other schools in musicals, Australian Air Force Cadets (with Sydney Grammar Boys School), debating and sporting. SCEGGS also pushes you to be the best you can be without overwhelming you and pushing you unwillingly. The parents have lots of opportunities to talk to teachers and each other, as well as coming to many information sessions with their daughters. I am so grateful to belong to a community like SCEGGS where I am valued for who I am and am encouraged to try new things and step outside of my comfort zone to develop myself further. If you are looking for a school that will create an atmosphere where differences are appreciated and encouraged, and you can feel deeply connected to all the Old Girls and future students as well as the staff and community, SCEGGS is the school for you. we are taught to be appreciative for the life we live and seize every opportunit given to us. I love you SCEGGS, thank you for everything and everyone you have given me <3

By Alumnus - 23 Aug 2022, Rate: average

I just wrote a scathing report about my experiences with this school however I've reconsidered my position. The most important thing to know when considering this school, is to know your daughter. If she is sporting, average, likes and finds value in personal and domestic affairs, is not really leader material but happy to join in do her bit then this is not the school for her. This is a grammar school, trying to direct young women towards academia, the arts, professions and business. My experience as a student was that many practical aspects of being female in this society were pretty much ignored or not valued throughout my education here. The charge of this institution was given to unpartnered, childless, old girls, who I now believe were dedicated to a deeply held feminist dream. This is not a school for those who don't want to go on to university.

By Parent - 30 Oct 2021, Rate: bad

My daughter is in year 12 and the School has done nothing for them this year. Other schools have had late formals, well fare checks/gifts during lockdown, make shift graduations and SCEGGS has not done anything to support the girls during a tough year. My daughter has been there for 13 years and I have volunteered every year to support the school. It's so disappointing to have the school falter so much when families need them most. Year 12 were allowed back one week before the rest of the school and the principal stayed in her office without interacting with the girls. Sceggs is a school that works when all is well. The leadership of the school were unable to adjust to the new complex environment.

By Student - 24 Oct 2021, Rate: bad

I can't wait to leave this institution for the self-entitled. Every day is a joke with uptight parents sticking their noses in with the help of their wallets. Nothing like a donation to keep your daughter from being expelled!

By Parent - 05 Aug 2021, Rate: excellent

The values that permeate throughout the school reveal a culture of looking after the students who will get the best academic results to advertise the school. It is a money making business and not a place of learning.

By Student - 10 Jul 2021, Rate: excellent

It is low key amazing.

By Alumnus - 16 Jun 2021, Rate: bad

I left this school, as it was filled with negative energy. Many students would comment on how much money others made and would laugh at people who weren't billionaires. The school campus is quite dull and grey with one tiny patch of grass. Unlike other expensive private schools sceggs does not have as many facilities. This schools main motive is money, the students that aren't in the top 10 are often ignored rarely getting help. I dont recommend sending your child here.

By Student - 21 Sep 2020, Rate: excellent

I go to SCEGGS and it is a wonderful school and i enjoy going to it. Waking up in the mornings all excited for fun school. My friends are kind and caring. I honestly couldn't pick a better school then SCEGGS. i don't get why people are posting such bad reviews about our wonderful school

By Parent - 20 Sep 2020, Rate: excellent

A cruel environment underpinned by the Head who is childless therefore lacks empathy, compassion and understanding of real world issues of modern day children and resorts to expulsion when situations arise that are beyond her limited scope. The Old Girls would be appalled. Shame

By Student - 18 May 2020, Rate: excellent

I have been going to SCEGGS since year 7. It is such an amazing school. It is very academic and sophisticated. I notice that almost everyone around me is incredibly smart which makes me feel bad but the school is always there to help me. SCEGGS is the most supportive school and I recommend that you attend!

By Student - 24 Feb 2020, Rate: bad

this school offered no support and is filled with people who only care about money. The teachers only care about the top 10 and if you start in year 7 you are not considered a priority and will remain in the bottom half of the grade. If you don't live in the eastern suburbs and drive an expensive car you will be made fun of an taunted by girls who don't understand the real world.

By Alumnus - 28 Jan 2020, Rate: bad

Was openly bullied by my classmates for my name and my skin colour (too white!) - to the point where there was a situation in class that had me gobsmacked and the teacher merely laughed and did not follow me out the classroom to see if I was ok. I left first term year 11 after being there since year three. The school still made my parents pay for the full year and never reached out to find out why I left. I have subsequently struggled with mental health issues and feelings of guilt that my parents wasted so much of their hard-earned money for nothing.
If you are not from a first-settlement family living in an inherited property at the North Shore - you will not fit in and will be vilified by both peers and teachers for this. It was truly an awful experience at this school.

By Parent - 09 Jan 2020, Rate: excellent

Jenny from marketing can assist with collusion. Jenny from marketing is flexible with truth
Jenny from marketing is a liar and heartless

By Parent - 26 Jul 2018, Rate: average

For such an expensive elite school it is hard for me to understand why so many of these girls walk up the footpath oppossite the school four abreast when they leave school at 3 pm. They completely ignore you and pretend you are not there if you happen to walk the opposite way. They should show some manners and not take the entire width of the footpath as if belongs to them only. It is a footpath after all and you are suppose to share it with other people. I have raised this issue with some local residents and many have encountered the same problem while walking on the footpath between 3 and 4 pm resulting in avoiding walking during that time period as to avoid stress caused by these girls that won't even give you a small space to get through. Parents should teach their kids how to behave appropiately in public and show consideration for others using a public foothpath.

By Student - 31 May 2018, Rate: excellent

I love this school so much I could live here.

By Parent - 12 Apr 2016, Rate: excellent

$30,000 a year? You must be kidding me. Go to a damn selective school. Heck, even a normal government school is better than this.

By Alumnus - 15 Sep 2015, Rate: bad

Rosie Menzies

By Student - 05 Sep 2015, Rate: excellent

I have been at this school every since I was 8 years old and in year 3. When I came there were lots of other new girls but we all made friends with the girls who were already there. The primary school had lots of activities and games for us to get to know each other. And now I know almost every single girl in the primary school from Kindy up! I know that we will have a lot of homework soon because the high school is much harder than primary school, my sister has tons of homework, but we will all be able to do it! The problem for me was I didn't do much work before year 3 so I was behind but now I am all caught up! But it is a really fun school. My teachers are nice to us and when we have problems we can tell them. My favourite subjects are library, PE and Art.

By Parent - 05 Sep 2015, Rate: excellent

What an exceptional school! I second what the Alumnus wrote about it being top-notch. This is the private school for parents who are on the fence as to whether or not there will be the social rubbish often associated with the Sydney independent school world, particularly the negative expectations of girls' schools. Sceggs really has none of that. Our two girls are very different - one is very into maths, science, hates reading, loves running and other sport and is incredibly social. After a year, she was voluntarily reading novels! I never thought it would be possible. Our other daughter is very quiet, the very definition of a book worm! She is very academic, not the extrovert her little sister is. She has a small tight group of wonderful friends who have been together since year 7. Both girls are nurtured and challenged by a school that sees them for their strengths and not their weaknesses. I couldn't imagine a better school for my daughters. Their friendships, respect for their teachers (and the teachers' respect for the kids - which is exceptional) and the strong academic standard make me recommend this school 100%. Every kid will be catered for, extended and supported to reach their full potential. Academic kids seem to particularly thrive in the environment, but it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all model. Also it is important to note that there are a lot of scholarships, not only for various exceptional abilities (scholarly, music, science etc) but also for all-rounders, Indigenous students and I believe, quite a few scholarships in recent years have been added for students whose families couldn't otherwise afford the (admittedly very high) annual fees. So get on that waiting list!!!!

By Alumnus - 26 May 2015, Rate: poor

SCEGGS is a very small school in the city of Sydney, and always worse than Pymble even Ascham,the school has small area,small and bad classrooms not as great as Sydney Grammar School,a priv boys school near our school although sisters of SGS students always at our school.Girls at SCEGGS are much worse than Pymble,Abbotsleigh,Wenona,Ascham,even PLC and Kambala.Igraduated from Class of 2013,poor students had poor marks,and awful teachers always do low level in classes.One of my classmate,Ro****ry,ate potato chips with bacon flavour in classroom ,sometimes did not write her essays and always smeared red nail polish ,it is also the ban at public schools but she always did it.Funny,she had good scores in HSC and got an ATAR more than 99,Another girl,E****n, also always ban the school rule and even crap during the lessons,also had good score in HSC It's a bad school,small and dingy,has no field to sport and has no good teachers or students.If your daughter want to won the scholarships,the girl will suffer many bullying tactics from rich students at the school.You must choose Pymble,Ascham,Wenona or Kambala but not SCEGGS,plz

By Parent - 19 May 2014, Rate: good

It's a small inner city school with a long wait list.There are lots of good private schools in Sydney but people seem to think if it's hard to get into, it must be really good. Families - aspirational types (as are we) are mostly from the eastern suburbs and not all over Sydney as is promoted. The shady location is given a positive spin although some families find it depressing to be paying so much for their young children to be exposed to prostitution, drug use and crime. Also, parking (for parents) is virtually non-existent, because it's Darlinghurst and the drop-off line for the primary school is unpleasant and stressful if you are threatened by the aggressive parking police who patrol outside of the school conveniently during pick up time. This has become worse over the years sadly. Unlike other expensive private schools, SCEGGS doesn't have elaborate grounds/sporting facilities. Extra curricular activities are all additional expenses and are very heavily promoted even if your child does activities outside of school as mine does. It has a strong sense of tradition which has its good and bad aspects. Religion is mandatory until the last few years which may not appeal to everyone. Having said all of this, my daughter is proud to be a SCEGGS girl, is happy to go to school every day, always wants to do well and has been empowered to believe she can. Her friendships are deep and I know many of the other children and their parents well. In my experience, teachers have been extremely responsive and always professional. When my daughter was small, I was worried about choosing the right school. There is no one perfect school. You have to make your own decision with the resources that you have and then do your part as a parent as best you can.

By Alumnus - 21 Apr 2014, Rate: excellent

I adored my time at Sceggs. The academics were top-notch and there was none of the social pressure of so many other private girls' schools. We were a community, girls supported each other. The teaching when I was there was excellent. We were held to very high standards not only academically but in terms of ethical decision making. Sceggs doesn't just prepare its students for Sydney or NSW uni, but for Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton and Yale. This is a truly special school. There were certainly girls in our year who weren't as gifted or interested in academics as other students, but they were also highly valued for their contribution to whatever field they found important or exciting. We were scholars, musicians, artists, sport stars, or happily running between different things. It didn't matter what we were interested in, Sceggs helped us find and nurture that interest. I hope to have a daughter one day. And providing the culture of the school that I benefited from so much is still alive and well, I will find a way to send her there.

By Student - 08 Sep 2013, Rate: poor

School does not help anyone under the top 10

By Student - 28 Jan 2013, Rate: poor

I have been at the school for over 9 years now and I hate it! It most definitely does not support me as an elite sportswoman and in all honesty, doesn't give a dam about anyone lower than the top 1%. I'm moving schools this year because I hate it!!! The teachers are cruel and miserable and make me feel worthless. Me and my friends call this school the prison! Can't wait to leave the place!!

By Current Pupil - 19 Apr 2008, Rate: excellent

I go to SCEGGS myself and have been for six years now, however i am one of four girls and each of my sisters have been to sceggs also which leaves my parents having been sceggs parents for 12 years!!the sceggs atmosphere is one which needs crediting as in sceggs we are all a community. A new girl is not a new girl for long and having a small number of girls allows everyone to know everyone. As for value for money??? Well i dont think my parents would still have me (their 4th daughter) still at the school if they werent getting value for their buck. the academic standards at sceggs are incredible and im proud to say, our students in the HSC perform incredibly with i think it was 2% over 99. while we are a small school, i think we have everything we need and while some may question our location, i never would give it a second thought. Being a private school right next to Kings cross, a 'dodgy area' allows the girls to understand how priveleged we are as we are taken from our comfortable lives and shown that there are SO many people out there with nothing. Literally at the bottom of our street. i believe girls schools in double bay such as KINGCOPAL and KAMBALA miss out on opening their horizons like sceggs girls do. the staff at sceggs are so helpful and will arrange extra lessons if your daughter needs it. while discipline at sceggs is certainly there, were never ruled by it and i find sceggs to be a rather laid back school as a result of it. we have a wonderful chaplin who is young with a young family and can easily relate to the girls issues with two daughters at sceggs himself. we also have a school counsellor which the girls can see whenever. i believe sceggs is a great school where i feel at home everytime i come through the 'green gate', infact SCEGGS is my 2nd home, and i think if your school is going to be your home away from home, then sceggs is the way to go

By Current Pupil - 29 Feb 2008, Rate: excellent

I've been going to SCEGGS for a few years now. I think the primary school is great! Since I am a student, I won't make any judgement on whether the money is worth it. But I love going to SCEGGS and I wouldn't leave it for the world. I think the staff really care about the welfare of the students, and are willing to help you. I think many students have an almost friend bonding with their teacher and feel that they can approach the staff and other students with social or school related problems.