St Mary's Cathedral College, Sydney School Reviews

St Mary's Cathedral College, Sydney

School Reviews

By Parent - 23 Feb 2023, Rate: bad

My child will suffer enduring trauma into his adult years from bullying experiences at this school. This is not a select group of students involved, but large groups,e.g. whole class in some subjects including two students who are the children of teachers. They do not have proper disclinary actions around bullying in fact the main instigator got no punishment at all. The parent teacher vaped on school grounds in clear view of students. Don't send your kids here unless you want to risk their emotional wellbeing.

By Student - 12 Feb 2023, Rate: good

This school is not what these people are saying it is, the classrooms are clean, the toilets are fairly clean, the playground is clean as well

By Employee - 08 Dec 2022, Rate: poor

Sadly not what it was. Those responsible for facilities are downright lazy (need replacing) and have set the bar pretty low. The school is dirty, grimy, unhygienic and unsanitary. Chewing gum litters the limited playground space and thrown-food is splattered on walls and outdoor seating areas. Toilets are disgusting with graffiti and spent vapes. Classrooms are dirty, not cleaned daily. Contract-cleaners are absolutely useless (sadly not their fault, probably badly exploited by the middle-men) I guess when the school has hit rock bottom, the only way is up! Prospective parents consider this, if the baseline standard of presentation and cleanliness is so low, how is this going to affect the welfare of your child at such a formative time. Heed my warning - DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL!

By Student - 08 Nov 2022, Rate: excellent

Many reviews here say that the boys bully others, do drugs, exclude others and so on. This is really just a select few boys at this school (~2%). The majority of the boys at the college are supportive, especially the seniors who are often seen helping people in the lower years. A while ago, I had an injury and many of the seniors who I'd never even seen offered a hand to help me carry my bag. SMCC has an overall caring community and I reccomend sending your kids here.

By Parent - 04 May 2022, Rate: excellent

I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. Very bitter experience which affected my whole family.

By Student - 19 Apr 2022, Rate: bad

There are some nice kids at this school, the ones on scholarships or musically talented but for the most part,there are lots of awful kids at this school. I've experienced this first hand. They want to project the image of a high quality school but the reality is Swearing, graffiti in the bathrooms,bullying kids with special needs, kids on drugs who never get expelled etc. Would DEFINITELY not recommend to any new parent.

By Employee - 22 Mar 2022, Rate: bad

Well mate, to be honest, this school and its students are absolutely disgusting and the teachers are utter garbage, quit after 3 weeks. Everyone is severely unstable

By Parent - 22 Nov 2021, Rate: bad

Website of the school does not correlate with reality of daily life at this school. There are some pretty awful kids who attend this school who have no manners, discipline or empathy. Website says"The friendly yet respectful demeanour of the students is truly indicative of this unique St Mary’s college climate." phffhh ..Don't make me laugh, nearly choked on my coffee there.

By Parent - 30 Sep 2021, Rate: bad

If you're looking for a genuine Catholic school I will suggest you looks elsewhere. Most of the kids in here is don't know manners and respect and their family don't attend the Mass or church , Catholic in name only. I'm disapointed with this school. My boy tells me a lot of rough kids in here.

By Parent - 04 Aug 2021, Rate: excellent

This school and it's students damaged my son's life permanently. Horrible place.

By Student - 29 Jun 2021, Rate: bad

As a student that goes to this school I can say with great accuracy that it’s terrible. The school seems to care more about good marks the the well-being of the students. There is a scary amount of bullying that goes un noticed especially against minorities. Not only that but there is little space to spread out or play at recess and lunch besides the domain (park across the road) where getting hit in the head with a ball is very prominent. To all the parents reading this, do your son a favour and send him to another cheaper and more inclusive school. For the money you pay it’s definitely not worth it! The school cares more about the colour of your socks then death threats or hate speach

By Parent - 17 May 2021, Rate: bad

Very sad that this school is attached to St. Mary's Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in Australia. The Cathedral and it's clergy offer a wonderful, holy community with regular Masses. However, the adjoining school has a lot to answer for. Don't confuse the two.

By Parent - 17 May 2021, Rate: bad

Avoid this school like the plague. An obsession with promoting the school via musically or academically talented students and insistence on wearing the correct uniform and coloured socks seem to take precedence over genuine concerns for the well being of other children. A misogynistic, hyped up masculine environment where bullying and porn addiction is the norm here. Do your son a favour and send him to a co-ed or real Catholic school where students care about other students and treat them like human beings.

By Parent - 16 Mar 2021, Rate: bad

Avoid this school at all costs. Many of the boys are rough and mean.

By Parent - 06 Mar 2021, Rate: excellent

My son graduated from SMCC in 2020. I can't thank the school enough for the education he received there. He attained an excellent ATAR because he was in a safe environment which allowed him to achieve his full potential.
We were worried when the school moved to online learning due to Covid 19 but the teachers didn't miss a beat.
I can't thank the school enough for the education and care given

By Parent - 02 Nov 2020, Rate: bad

Bullying and exclusion is an issue in this school. The school deals with it but there is only so much the school can do.

By Parent - 20 Sep 2020, Rate: excellent

I can not fault this school in any way.
My son has been there for the past 6 years and graduates this year, my son is of the same opinion.

By Parent - 11 Sep 2020, Rate: poor

The school itself and teachers are very good, however I think bullying is endemic at this school. Though there is an anti bullying policy, if a student informs a teacher of bullying, he immediately becomes something of an outcast who who is teased & talked about in hushed tones. There is a culture of treating victims badly if a perpetrator gets into trouble from teachers. Ignoring is another tactic used to inflict harm by students on other students.
Boys who have learning or other special needs are either overtly or subtly teased by their more able peers. I sent my son here as I expected a caring, nurturing Catholic environment where the majority of kids are kind, however this is sadly not the case. Parents have failed to instil basic kindness in their sons and I wonder how this environment can be considered Catholic at all. We could have got the same result from a public school. Don't send your son here if he has learning, behavoural or other issues.

By Parent - 04 Sep 2018, Rate: bad

According to my son the school does not even have air conditioning yet. How are students meant to learn in a stuffy classroom?

By Parent - 20 Mar 2018, Rate: excellent

Great school I attended this school myself my son did as well and now my grand children are as well
The staff are very friendly and nice

By Student - 09 Mar 2017, Rate: bad

Worst school nothing to do and poor

By Parent - 12 Aug 2016, Rate: bad

I sent my son here in 2014 to do year 11 and 12. The school had been improving its rating over previous years but a change of Principal and then an exodus of teachers gives the plummet in results you see above.
Worst mistake I made. Probably ruined my son's future education and employment chances. Both of us nearly had a nervous breakdown. The number of long term parents who started to hate the school and took their boys out or did not send younger siblings supports my experience

By Student - 01 Nov 2015, Rate: excellent

This school is amazing. The principal is very nice and the year coordinators are very nice. None of them are witches.I like this school because everyone is friendly.

By Parent - 30 Oct 2015, Rate: excellent

My son is almost at the end of his first year of high school at St Mary's. It has been a wonderful experience for him. He's quite shy but feels very safe here and has been able to perform to the best of his ability. I would definitely recommend that parents consider it for their sons.

By Student - 18 Oct 2015, Rate: bad

This school used to be so good but now it is rubbish, the principles are a joke and the year 9 co-ordinator is a wicked witch from the west, if you have an antisocial son this is the school for you, if you don't then...

By Parent - 10 Apr 2008, Rate: good

If I have another son, I will have no doubt to enroll him in this beautifully conducted school. Students are well behaved, happy and helpful to each other. Staff members are caring and happy. They often did more than is required. Headmaster is extremely caring for every boys. Many thanks for guiding my boy!!!