John Colet School, Belrose School Reviews

John Colet School, Belrose

School Reviews

By Parent - 14 Nov 2013, Rate: excellent

I have two children at John Colet and I can confidently say that it is an outstanding school. The teachers have nurtured and enhanced my children?s inner confidence and love of learning. In fact my eldest son, who was previously struggling academically and socially at another school, has gone from being told he was not a natural student to now, after years of being at John Colet, being accepted into a highly academic selective school. This is something I 100% credit John Colet for. The teachers and community have transformed him and brought out his best potential. My other son is also benefiting from John Colet?s fantastic education system and the nurturing environment... so I can see it is consistent for various personalities and capabilities.

I should note that John Colet take a very different approach to most schools and it clearly shows in the students results and social confidence. I will always hold the school in high regard and will be forever appreciative for their care and attention to my children.

By Parent - 13 Nov 2013, Rate: excellent

My husband and I had been searching for a school for six months, when we were recomended by a work friend to John Colet we made an immediate appointment and on the day that we toured the school, we were amazed and that this is the school for our child.
Unlike any other school I have heard of, John Colet is truly a nurturing and caring environment that allows expression and knowledge to flourish at an outstanding level. My eldest son was immediately detected to have dyslexia, even though I hadn't noticed. The school discovering this adversity provided extra assistance and tolerance toward him and resulted in my son now outshining others and getting awards in English Advanced (John Colet had given him the chance and determination to develop his linguistics and give him the tools to later in high school do English advanced). To say the least I was amazed at the dedication of the John Colet School teachers and their motivation. Furthermore my other child although not having such difficulties is enjoying the school and its many benefits.
In my opinion we are extremely satisfied with this school for it detects the weaknesses of the students and turns them into their strengths. When you read the brochure the school provides it may seem overwhelming or far fetched or too good to be true but I must say I was never disappointed due to the booklet only being a glimpse of the schools grand potential for your child.

By Parent - 19 Sep 2013, Rate: excellent

My husband and I were recommended this school by friends, and while I was primarily hesitant at first -I am more then thrilled with our choice to enroll our son. The school offers the small, attentive classrooms with a firm philosophy of developing a love of learning along with plenty of extracurricular activities that my son enjoys!! We are Aussies that came from living abroad in Singapore, so were very excited to find a local school that has such a focus on personal development along with a solid education that is similar to what we were accustomed in Singapore. Parents are encouraged to be very involved, and I can see the progress my son (plus see how warmly the kids respond to their dedicated teachers!) is making when I occasionally come to help with reading/writing sessions. Talk to a family of John Colet before you make your decision-am sure you will be convinced like us that it is a positive choice for your child!

By Parent - 02 Sep 2013, Rate: excellent

Last year my husband and I both partook in making a decision in regards to what school to send our boys to.
We unhesitatingly choose John Collect, and have never looked back.
Actually, when looking back we only ask ourselves one question, that being: ?why did it take us so long to move schools??
My husband and I are sincerely grateful for everything the school has done for us.
Everyone has made us feel more than welcome.
In turn we are truly thankful to be part of the John Colet community.
My children absolutely adore their new school and admire their teachers, we are all beyond satisfied.
I am extremely beholden.

By Parent - 30 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

To any new parent looking at potential schools, do not choose a school based solely on the Naplan scores. They are not an accurate representation of all a school has to offer. John Colet has done very well in the past and whilst they do care about the Naplan scores they do not teach "to" them. This is a school in where the teachers will get to know the strengths and weaknesses of each child in their class. They are traditional and philosophical in their teaching methods. When we joined the school the methodology was clearly explained to us and clearly this way of teaching is not for everyone. For our family the school has been perfect for one child and not ideal for the other one. It is a small, nurturing school that allows for a lot of communication between parents and teachers. By it's very nature it attracts a lot of like-minded families and as a result it has a wonderful sense of community and many strong friendships are formed between students and parents! It is not a school without faults but then again no school is. My child is very happy there, he loves his teacher and most of his classmates :) and I believe he is better off at JCS than any other school.

By Parent - 28 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

My kids are extremely happy and settled at this school. They have learned to be calm, focus, think and absorb. Their academic results have been outstanding and importantly they love going there!
We have tried the normal State system and considered other schools; no school is ever 100% perfect but, for my kids, I can't think of a better place.I am glad that we eventually found it!

By Parent - 23 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

A great school. Lots of things are important when considering where to send your kids but if you think that the most important thing is that your kids should be loved then consider this school. We are very happy to be here.

By Parent - 23 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

When we were deciding where to send out child for school, we had heard about John Colet from other parents that we knew and decided to go to an information night. We walked out of there and both said "this is the school for our child". We never looked or considered any other school as it fitted with what we wanted for her. My daughter is in infants still but she loves it and is very happy there. Loves the kids who are in her class, loves the subjects that she does and loves her teachers. She feels safe at school and well nurtured. My only regret is that it doesn't go on into High School.

By Parent - 21 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

John Colet is a terrific school, I've had one boy go through and currently my daughter is there. the teachers are extremely dedicated and just seem to bring out the best in children. Both of mine have done extremely well in
ICAS science tests and I can assure anyone that science is taught as per the curriculum, and very well too. But it's all the special extras like loads of drama classes, excursions and languages that I really think benefit my kids the most, along with learning how to be still and to think deeply.

By Parent - 21 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

By Parent - 19 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

This is a beautiful school...

Nice and small, structured learning, and really engaged parents..highly recommend it, and we don't have any interest in The School of Philosophy..
I think the kids receive a very high quality and well rounded education here..

By Parent - 12 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

Al three of my kids went to this school and then on to different high schools. Our family had a great experience. The school grew in size from when my first started to when my ast left recently. Highly recommended for a real caring and considered approach.

By Student - 12 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

My brother and I both went to John Colet School. We loved it there and made many really good friends. We both got scholarships to our current school. Most of the Dux at my school are ex John Colet Students. Learning Shakespeare at such an early age has helped me a lot in English as I know about most of the plays and their characters. Performing at Glen St Theatre was a grat experience. I loved my time there.

By Parent - 12 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

I moved to Belrose in 2007 and researched school for my then 5 year old, who started at John Colet in 2008. His brother then started in 2009 and his sister this year! The school has suited all three of my kids who all have different talents :-) I love that I don't need to pack a boring sandwich for lunch for them each day as they are getting a hot meal freshly prepared! My eldest blitzed the NAPLAN last year, my 7 year old is in the Senior Chess Club and his team won a very competitive competition last term and my youngest just performed in her first Shakespeare Festival, in which she and all her little friends were amazing! Having such a great school so close to home will keep us in the area and houses around here seem to sell very fast.

By Student - 20 Mar 2013, Rate: excellent

I went there for seven years and I loved it. It's one of the best schools in sydney and all of the teachers are very on task and up to date.
Just check if out!

By Parent - 10 Mar 2013, Rate: bad

Mediocre, but it has a great publicity machine. We are in the process of moving our child to a more academic and NORMAL school

By Parent - 29 Jan 2013, Rate: bad

We moved our daughter after Lower First, due to the poor resources and obsolete teaching practices. Inordinate amount of time spent rehearsing for public displays and shakespeare!! Poor assessment practices and excessive religious practoces. I agree with the previous reviewer - an expensive mistake. Thankfully our new school was NORMAL and modern and the damage of the bizarre beliefs have been rectified.

By Parent - 05 Dec 2012, Rate: good

We are new to John Colet from the local primary school and have found that our children have thrived in the environment. While it is not a rich school in comparison to the local private schools, it's greatest asset is the quality of the teachers.
As an atheist I approached the whole School of Philosophy thing with trepidation, and while there is a definite Hindu slant, they seem to try and give the kids a broad understanding of the moral scaffolding of all religions.
There is a lot of religion at the school (maybe too much), but it is more about enquiry and understanding than the rigid doctrine of one specific religion.
As far as the concerts go, I think exposing primary age kids to Shakespeare is a fabulous way to take learning out of the classroom and making it an active process.
As far as teaching creationism as opposed to evolution, I'd pull my kids out in a minute...

By Parent - 04 Dec 2012, Rate: excellent

We moved our children to John Colet this year and are thrilled with the school. The children are so engaged with all the activities on offer, the teachers are fantastic and the headmaster is truly committed. Great school.

By Parent - 02 Dec 2012, Rate: poor

Before you assess the NAPLAN scores, please consider that the population of students is very small. We have withdrawn our child as very disatisfied with the quality of the education and the inundation of creationism. There can be weeks were there is little actual work done because of various festivals and concerts, all for public display. It is an impoverishced school with very little student resources. A very costly mistake for us, and we hope that other parents will be more careful!! I would definitely NOT recommend it unless you are Hindu or wish for your child to learn that creationism is the only truth...