Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon School Reviews

Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon

School Reviews

By Alumnus - 19 Nov 2023, Rate: bad

This school is pathetic. The whole welbeing program is fake. The principle and deputy always have this fake smile on and they dont give a shit about anymore. They created this whole well-being program to cover up things. There so FAKE!

By Student - 26 Oct 2023, Rate: bad

As a student, I am extremely disappointed with this school. Where do I even start? First of all, I am so sick of the positive education that the school keeps glorifying. I'm going to say this loud and clear for everyone; the 'positive education' at this school has never improved, and will never improve the wellbeing of students, ever. It is such a waste of time, and none of the students enjoy it. If the school really cared about students' opinions and made a survey to ask their opinions on how positive education has changed their lives, I guarantee you, no one will say that their lives have been positively impacted by it. Not to mention, there are even assessments for this useless subject. Having it being part of the curriculum is already bad enough, but now students have to spend even more time to study for positive education assessments? This is absolutely ridiculous. As a student, I think students should not be wasting their time on something like this. How can we sit down and do these pointless positive education assessments when we are stressed about other subjects? And why are we stressing about other subjects in the first place? Maybe it's because positive education is taking away our time that could be used for other things. Our current principal has introduced this concept, to highlight the importance of growth mindsets and how it will benefit students throughout their journey. The idea is good, but it's execution is absolutely terrible. Positive education should be a kind of 'brain break' for students, where they can relax their mind for a while. To me, that's the purpose positive education should serve. It shouldn't be something that students grow to hate. Students feeling negative about positive education, how ironic. The school wants to paint a picture for the parents to show that it is perfect in all aspects and truly care about its students, even going as far as to calling itself a 'well-being school'. Seriously? I can't believe the school has the audacity to say that, when clearly half the school's mental health is rapidly declining. I hope the school sees this review, and I hope they take the opinion of a student into consideration. I hope to see change soon. Change that will actually benefit students, not just a marketing gimmick. Overall, I should've left this school ages ago. I'm not sure what I'm still doing here.

By Student - 21 Aug 2023, Rate: bad

Has the most stuck up, spoilt students ever.
All the girls that go here wear so much make up and the teachers encourage it. No punishment at all if you wear make-up- most of the time I see the teachers complimenting these nasty girls, when in reality their faces look trash and really ugly and fake.
Also, literally every single lesson, just about the ENTIRE CLASS IS ON THEIR PHONES 24/7. They "hide" it behind their laptop screens. It's obvious the teachers can see this, however, they take no action on it, and in the end, everyone seems to just go on their phones the whole lesson rather than pay attention in class. They don't even get detentions.
The teachers are not strict enough with discipline. Sure they might "threaten" to give a punishment, however, they are always to lenient and are certainly not harsh enough - because I still see girls wearing more and more make-up everyday and during class everyone seems to be spending more and more time on their "hidden" phones.
Also, so many girls "skip" classes. The action that teachers take on this is very poor. If you hate a class e.g. history you can easily just skip and no one could care less and no one will follow up on it...
So as you can imagine, the girls at this school are savage, out of control, ratty brats that are revolting.
Would give 0 stars if I could and would certainly not recommend for you to send your child here unless you want them to turn into a very revolting spoilt girl.

By Student - 08 Aug 2023, Rate: excellent

This is a great school with a lot of opportunity. The teachers don't overload you with homework.

By Parent - 29 Jul 2023, Rate: bad

This school chooses the same people for everything (academic competitions supposedly open to "anyone", leadership opportunities and of course, awards). They like to advertise they are an elitist school. This is hard to believe- it's more like a business. During their "giving day" they called every single parent of every single child at this school (which did indeed involve calling both parents), begging for money (clearly they want double???). It's literally a business. Their strong focus on positive education is a waste of time and students are forced to do assessments on this subject area, which isn't even in the curriculum. To add, the bullying here is really really bad. The teachers dont seem to have the ability to control it in a fair manner- in most instances, the victim is made to feel like they are in the wrong. So much for student wellbeing... And, for a private school, the quality of teaching here is very much questionable- some teachers just sit at the front of the classroom for the whole lesson while their students go rogue, unable to learn anything due to this lazy approach. They don't even bother explaining any of the lesson. Again, so much for student well-being... I'd also like to point out the lack of co-curricular opportunities available to students. They literally only offer dance, netball, badminton and other very wussy sports. The music opportunities are disappointing as they only seem to ever perform once a year! Also, if you look at all of their advertising on their website or social media platforms, it wont take long for you to notice that all the pictures look very fake and set up. Not authentic in the slightest way. This is a very accurate reflection of the sorts of people that would thrive in this school - fake, spoilt princesses. In conclusion, this school is a complete waste of time and money. Going here will be a disappointment. Would not recommend going here at all!

By Parent - 24 Jun 2023, Rate: average

My 14-year-old daughter suffered from depression and felt worthless when going to the school. This is not a school for any introverted personalities would not recommend. She now goes to Barker.

By Student - 03 Mar 2023, Rate: poor

I moved to this school with high hopes I was bullied and no one did any think I got depression but that in not completely there fault as I have bad autism and adhd they have tried hard to help me but I do think most the activity's at this school are not made to include people that have unique special needs like me I used to be very bright and now I mostly look at the bad side of this world but there are teachers that are very good and caring I think most schools around this area are not fit for people like me but most schools aren't

By Parent - 01 Sep 2022, Rate: poor

Terrible school. Most girls leave to go to Barker or PLC. I found that the girls that go to the school are considered “special”. It’s full of a bunch of rich special needs girls who have no idea of the real world.

By Student - 17 Jun 2022, Rate: excellent

Ravenswood School for Girls has surely been an excellent pleasure for me to be studied in. It has taught me a wide range of cirriculims and a lot of outside school activites. I hope your daughter goes into this school as it is an excellent school for girls to spend their childhood or teenager times there.

By Student - 22 Mar 2021, Rate: excellent

Legit, why do people think this school is bad, my primary school friend literally turned toxic as soon as she started school at PLC!
This school is lovely, and all the teachers are nice.

By Student - 13 Jun 2020, Rate: excellent

Ravenswood is an amazing school, I moved here from Pymble and it was the best decision I have ever made. Everyone here is so nice and I love the teachers. Definitely far better than being physically hurt at Pymble.

By Student - 04 Dec 2019, Rate: good

It is a school that favours the parents of the rich and those that are continually making their presence felt at the school. Typical of the school culture was today’s school presentation day at Town Hall, once again controversial. Some of the Year 12 awards were given to students that were not deserving of them and some that deserved an award were overlooked. The system for issuing academic awards appears to not be based exclusively on merit but on other factors which the students cannot control. If you’re a parent that continually complains about the treatment of your daughter (poor princess) or contributes financially (you’re rich and want to influence) or by involvement (you’re rich and want to influence) to the school you are placated or rewarded by your daughter receiving an award. One of numerous examples of unfairness and favouritism was the sharing of the HSC dux award when clearly one student’s results, as seen and known by all, were far superior to the others. So if you’re a wealthy or whinging parent who believes it’s fair to use your influence to gain advantage for your daughter Ravenswood is for you. If on the other hand you believe all students should have a level playing field at school and should be exposed to students from a broad spectrum of socio economic groups there are other schools that would serve you better. Glad to be moving on.

By Student - 24 Oct 2019, Rate: excellent

I think some comments here are absolutely horrible. They can't use proper grammar so I don't think they should be talking about the teaching quality also we don't get the answers to tests, you dummies. We have girls getting 99.5 atars so I'd stop talking about our low atars. We have exceptional facilities including a nurse, gym, pool, wellbeing centre, language department, performing arts department and advanced science labs and many more. Mrs Johnstone has been the best Principal the school has seen she's always smiling and has stood at the gates every single morning for 3 years she truly cares about me and the other students and their wellbeing so I think you should get your facts straight first about her before you make assumptions. Mrs steer was always avery cold lady who had absolutely zero interest in the students and everyone from school has agreed the school has changed for the better. The teachers could not care less about who comes from junior school as they did not teach in junior school they are more focused on you as a person and getting to know you so they can teach you as best as possible. So please don't write false comments about the stories you hear from your kids as they always make it seem worse than it is which is actually false -Maddie

By Alumnus - 20 May 2019, Rate: bad

I am writing this because I think people considering sending their kids here deserve to know what Ravenswood is really like, and what is hidden behind the excessive promotional videos and the "positive education". I won't say much, but let me leave it at this. After the several years of abuse and bullying I experienced there, it does not surprise me in the slightest that the proportion of students with mental health problems at Ravenswood is ridiculously high, and that the school has gone down 22 places in the HSC rankings following the arrival of the current headmistress. The quality of some of the teaching is shocking for a school with fees of $30,000 a year. And if you're rich or smart enough, you will get lots of leadership opportunities and awards. Leaving the school has been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

By Parent - 01 Feb 2019, Rate: poor

Ravenswood School for Girls was a good school when my daughter started. However, once the new principal started to make changes, I've noticed several faults in the school objective. Rather than focusing on education and the best interests of the girls, the leadership team have begun to run the school in a business-like manner. They have spent money on trivial items such as the Ravo statue, on promotional videos and on costly events; simply with the purpose of showcasing Ravenswood in a grand manner. In reality, the school is lacking adequate facilities for the girls' education. There are simply too many students for what the school could provide for. I am disappointed that my initial image of a caring school that is focused on a student's wellbeing and academic success have disappeared over the years.

By Parent - 04 Jan 2019, Rate: excellent

My daughter, Elyse, kindled the flame in Year 4 at Ravenswood in 2010. Her incredible teacher, Sally Clarke, gave Elyse the perfect gift: a firm belief in herself. Now, after 9 years at Ravenswood, Elyse has realized the truth of this. She has just completed the 2018 HSC and attained an incredible result. But it’s not just her exceptional ATAR which distinguishes her as a Ravo girl, it’s her compassion, her humility, her strength, her vitality but most of all, her firm belief in her family, her friends and most importantly, herself. Upon leaving school, Elyse has a very bright future ahead of her and with true Ravo grit she won’t just shine, she’ll dazzle! So thank you Ravenswood, we couldn’t have found a better school for our daughter. You are everything you promise ... and so very much more.

By Student - 07 Jul 2018, Rate: good

It's a good school but the school rules for mobile phones policy is very strict and some students don’t go by the rules and they get into trouble

By Parent - 07 May 2018, Rate: bad

School seems to be more concern with social standings then teaching right from wrong

By Parent - 07 May 2018, Rate: bad

My two daughters were studens in revo since kindergarten it was my mistake to choose low level school teacher was bad and no quality bullies every year school never care

By Student - 05 Mar 2018, Rate: bad

its so bad. Small school and bad teachers.Bad facilities. pymble ladies college is better than here.

By Parent - 08 Nov 2017, Rate: bad

Ravenswood is a bad school but PLC is even worst. I tried both for my daughter & she left both school eventually

By Parent - 11 Apr 2016, Rate: poor

my daughter started at Ravo this year and is getting bullied. The teachers don't seem to care and favour the girls who have come from the junior school. I am thinking of sending her to PLC in semester 2 because I know a lot of people who have said it is the best school in NSW. Ravenswood works for some girls and not for some. I am going to let my daughter try and work the next term out but if she is not happy, she will leave for PLC.

By Student - 10 Apr 2016, Rate: poor

hater teachers care about uniform soooooo much. stupid rules that make no sense like the art corridor.

By Parent - 08 Nov 2015, Rate: bad

Ravenswood school for girls is an average school with average teachers. In Year 9 many girls leave for other schools which is disruptive for your daughters friends Teacher quality seems to be very low. Not enough work being done in class I suspect as teachers give the girls the answers to the tests no wonder they get bad HSC results. I will move her to Barker like everyone else does next year.

By Employee - 18 Nov 2013, Rate: excellent

Ravenswood school for girls is a great private school that offers girls amazing opportunities in both there school work, sporting, performing arts etc. ravenswood has many great learning facilities which children have classes in, finish off homework, or even just spend time with friends. Ravenswood is a loving, caring and supportive school that your child will not only benefit with her education but with friends and her self confidence knowing she has a lovely school
To come to every day.