Geelong Grammar School, Corio School Reviews

Geelong Grammar School, Corio

School Reviews

By Parent - 30 Jul 2023, Rate: bad

The school are ok. But the main problem is that some of the teacher are very mean and they abuse their students, they ignored student when they asked questions. I strongly believed that there is a misunderstanding about the good reputation of this school. I don't want to mention who the teacher is, but the school should really put more training on your staffs, cuz this is just ridiculous. Parents think twice before sending your children here.

By Alumnus - 24 Oct 2022, Rate: average

While having amazing facilities and staff, I was subject to "dutch ovens" daily by those in my dorm. In case you are not aware, someone farts under a doona and traps you underneath to experience the wrath of their horrific gas. I was subject to these every morning and spent the last 3 years of my high school life with constant pink eye.

By Student - 21 Mar 2022, Rate: excellent

The school is absolutely incredible. I'm in Year Seven and the homework can get tough but if you're organised than you can easily push through it. Some stuff might not be for you and that's okay cause the teachers get that. You're in school, you're don't have to like everything. I hope that the people who complain realise how much money it is. Yep, it's pricey but it's completely worth it and you should send your kids there

By Parent - 16 Sep 2021, Rate: average

I have 3 kids one at grammar one at collage one at kardinia collage every night my youngest child 13 gets home and tells me about the situation at the most expensive school in Australia I’m a bit worried about what my son is being exposed to (anxiety eating disorders depression and some use drugs which did get found out bye the school and they handled it well) but that might be lack of parent attention they are also a bit obsessed with money. But the education is good . When I compare it with collage and kardinia I would say kardinia is the best . the staff are supportive and I feel they do care and generally it is good and students respond well .

By Student - 21 Aug 2021, Rate: excellent

GGS is amazing, the people are wonderful, also the way the school runs, even if u aren’t boarding you feel as though you are. The bonds you develop with people around you is immaculate as well. The school has a lot of resources as well.

By Parent - 03 Feb 2021, Rate: excellent

Geelong Grammar is a great school! My daughters both attend Corio Campus (the largest boarding school in Australia), and the fees that I spend each year are worth every penny.
I have been exceptionally impressed with the care that they have received since joining two years ago. Unlike a lot of private schools, Geelong Grammar is not focused on rote learning to drive a strong ATAR ranking. The school aligns with my own values of compassion and kindness, and the year at Timbertop is unlike anything on offer from any other school in Australia.

By Student - 08 Dec 2020, Rate: good

If you have the money to send your kid to Timbertop then you are doing them a massive disservice if you don't at least try to get them in. There is nothing else like it. It actually is exceptional.
The same cannot be said for the academic education you get at senior school in Corio. For the amount you pay, there aren't enough good teachers. There are like 3 I had that I can say were truly good, and probably the best of them is leaving this year.
Pos Ed and "creative education" are both bullshit. The school should spend more time on actual education. I'm sorry, but it was unbelievable how uninformed some of my fellow students were. They'd struggle to tell you what century the moon landing was in, or what the Holocaust was. Seriously. There were 2 yr 12s in 12 Global Politics class! SIX! The school should encourage these kids, many of whom are going to inherit incredible sums of money, to be more curious about the world. (granted, the sorts of kids to do Global are more likely to do IB, but still).
They're stopping Classical Studies as of next year. Probably because not enough kids want to do it. I find it to be incredibly irresponsible for the school to allow that to happen. It's an incredible subject. Meanwhile, masses of students flock to commerce, accounting and business management. That's fine, but the school should at least try to balance things a bit.
It's still OK, though. Most of the subjects you want to do you'll be able to do. The teachers are capable. But they are rarely exceptional.
Though academics is not everything. I loved my time in senior school. The bond you form with both your cohort - and especially with your house - is beautiful. That is perhaps the other actually exceptional part of GGS - the sense of community. It could still be improved upon, but there is something magical about everyone living together in our own little city.
And of course: the facilities, sport, music, drama, etc. It's worth your while if you have the money. I definitely recommend attending GGS, it's just that currently it is a long way off consistently achieving academic excellence. Employ good teachers.
The (relatively) new principal Ms Cody is lovely. Yes, she is a good saleswoman, (and I hate the sort of corporate vibe that the school's administration can give off, but that's all private schools), but she is also genuine. And clever.
I didn't go to any other private schools, but I'd be confident in saying GGS is the one of the best you could send your kids to. It is special. I guess overall, it is exceptional, even though there's a lot of improvement to be done in the academic department. At the very least, if you have the money, try and get your kid into Timbertop.

By Student - 08 Dec 2020, Rate: good

If you have the money to go to Timbertop and your kid wants to go

By Employee - 06 Jul 2020, Rate: bad

The new leadership team is all talk no idea. Meetings and presentations are all about spin and have the feel of an advertising company presentation. Staff are overworked and the turnover over the last 3 years is staggering. Student misbehaviour is not held to account and the culture amongst the students is getting worse each year. Academic excellence is a dream that is slowly disappearing.

By Parent - 18 May 2020, Rate: excellent

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By Parent - 17 May 2020, Rate: excellent

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By Student - 15 Apr 2020, Rate: bad

I attended this school after timbertop for year 10 in 2018. Geelong grammar made me depressed anxious and it made me hate myself and who i am. Money is such a big thing at geelong grammar and if you don’t have as much as everyone else you get looked down on. I was made to feel little because I didn’t have all those amazing things like a big mansion and high end clothes. I was bullied, I was thrown food at, I was called names. My so called friends let it happen because they didn’t want to be seen defending me. I had friends at Geelong but I can happily say they were all fake. I left at the end of year 10 even though my parents were forcing me to go back. My matron and head of house simply said to me parents “she seems so happy, nothings wrong”. However I could hide things well and even when I tried to reach out I would juts be sent to this school counsellour who honestly didn’t give a sh*t about you. Geelong grammar definitely ruined my mental health and my self esteem. Because of geelong I am seriously a different person and thinking back of it honestly makes me cry. I’m not in year 12 in 2020 and slowly feeling better in myself.

By Employee - 19 Sep 2018, Rate: bad

This school is excellent

By Student - 12 Jan 2018, Rate: excellent

Timbertop- once in a lifetime experience that only 250 kids a year in the world experience. It is worth every cent. The most amazing year physically and mentally. I have made friends for life and family in my unit. Everyday I wish I could go back. There I am the happiest, healthiest me. If you can give your child this opportunity, because since the day it finish I am forever grateful I was able to go. It’s hard, it’s tough but the MOST rewarding this your child can do. Boarding is just amazing, connections with staff are incredible, they actually care about you.

By Parent - 09 Nov 2017, Rate: average

GGS broke my child. A happy outgoing child at the beginning who actually wanted to attend 'Grammar', intelligent and always had good marks has lost interest in education and now wants nothing to do with schools. Positive education at Geelong Grammar is a joke. Even their senior staff mock it. In an English lit class my child was asked by the teacher to compare the pretence of pos ed with the pretence of success in politics - using some Russian story.
A higher proportion of good teachers make good schools. Nothing else. Geelong Grammar is no different to most private schools in terms of teacher quality. My other children attended private schools in Melbourne with a slightly higher proportion of teachers who actually gave a damn and understood different learning styles and could motivate students. Do you want to pay $64,000+ for hit and miss?
You have to just trust this boarding school with your child. You cant pick-up any broken pieces and do the tutoring yourself. You have to hope they will do it; ...which is hit and miss.
The compulsory sport and practice is a drain on time, especially in year 12.
You will need to pay for a second lot of food as a lot of students are too scared to eat in the dining hall. - A cultural bullying issue. The dining hall is just like Hogwarts to see. And the behaviours are not too different. There is a strange segregation between boys and girls. Unlike other healthy co-ed schools I have experienced. Be seen talking to a girl and you risk being clapped into the dining hall as a married couple (polite description).
GGS is not for everyone. The majority of students do business and commerce. When business and commerce have an excursion, the school is near deserted. They will teach your child not to take prisoners. Don't show signs of weakness. Hint at being depressed and the school pshrink will have you sent home until you are cleared by a psychiatrist as not being a self harm risk (lots of false negatives in this space). Reputation management dictates it is easier to kick you out on psychological grounds than deal with a real issue like a bullying teacher or gang. Beware the trip to the school pshrink.
The culture amongst the students still has a mid 20th century British boarding school feel to it. The first Australian principal starts in 2018 - a woman - lets hope the culture shifts.

By Parent - 08 Jun 2016, Rate: excellent

this school is horrible. Speaking from a student who just finished studying year 12 here. It is not worth your money the whole pos ed thing was a joke and speaking from the perspective of someone who has trouble learning I received no extra help no matter how much I tried. My Atar also seriously suffered due to all the ridiculous commitments would NOT recommend

By Employee - 24 Jan 2016, Rate: excellent

Jeff my boy its NOT KEVIN 'whats doin'

By Parent - 24 Jan 2016, Rate: excellent

Awesome school, I love it ( UV rocket ship )

By Parent - 26 Jan 2016, Rate: bad

I tink that dis skool have a problemz but skool no understanded. I need Halp. Pls gif lots of meme posts and all the dollars. I need money for ma edumacation cuz i no no how to speakeded well. This school bad.

By Alumnus - 24 Jan 2016, Rate: excellent

This school hold a high reputation between the sophisticated society and should be treated not on their name but one the way they treat kids. I really know nothing about this school and is making bull up -NOT KEVIN OUT-

By Student - 06 Sep 2015, Rate: average

This school is great, however I seem to have had the same issue as the last bloke and now find myself trapped in the coolroom that is locked from the outside, in fact I have just found the previous person's corpse on the ground..... Please send more help this time.

By Parent - 31 Aug 2015, Rate: excellent

my name is jeff

By Parent - 16 Sep 2013, Rate: excellent

I am so happy with this school. My son has improved so much academically and in confidence since he started in Year 9. Great ethos, dedicated teachers, nice school community. Expensive, but your child gets the best of everything.

By Student - 30 Aug 2013, Rate: average

i used to love this school but unfortunately i have been trapped in a coolroom and cannot escape please send help

By Student - 27 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

you should send all your kids here, for sure.

By Student - 21 Aug 2014, Rate: excellent

2 ok?

By Student - 27 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

love it

By Parent - 21 Aug 2014, Rate: excellent

test ok?

By Student - 26 Aug 2012, Rate: excellent

i <3 my school i am in year 5 and i am a full boarder and i <3 it here i would recomend anyone to come here if i can be here in yr 5 anyone can come here

By Parent - 10 Jan 2011, Rate: excellent

Truly the most dedicated staff I have encountered.

By Parent - 15 Jun 2010, Rate: good

My daughter spent most of her school career at GGS and overall, it was an education that will equip her marvellously for the years ahead and a wonderful investment towards the adult she shows signs of becoming. It wasn't perfect, but every child is different. For us, one of the biggest disappointments was the non-event of Year 10 after the exhilaration of the Timbertop Year 9 experience. Years 11 and 12 were the opportunity to get to know her teachers as mentors rather than just as teachers. Sport was always a disappointment - not being of a sporting bend, it is soul destroying (and a waste of time) to religiously turn up for compulsory team sporting committments and spend most, if not all of the time (which could have been used more practically in other persuits) sitting on the bench. There are other ways to learn the lessons of teamwork than sporting teams and surely increases to personal fitness and sporting prowess are as important, if not more so, than playing in a team? The School's popularity amongst overseas students is a strength for all. My daughter counted amongst her friends students from around the world and is genuinely interested in what happens in their home countries. Thank you GGS for your role in my daughter's upbringing.

By Parent - 15 Feb 2010, Rate: good

having had other children at different private schools i make the following observations - academically , despite their best efforts, girls have to work at being noticed especially in maths and science classes. the sporting life of the school is still bound around boys capacity not for girls who like to give a lot of things a go. too much is placed on boys results - you should see the fuss over the boys football team - down right stupid in this day and age.the school makes huge demands on their teachers for pastoral care and occassionaly it fails but the kids have great rapport with the staff and compared to other schools mentoring is a real stand out. my kid loved it all and flourished as a well educated all round human being complete with a social conscience

By Parent - 26 Jan 2010, Rate: excellent

Our son attended GGS-Glamorgan from ELC to year 2 after which we moved to another part of the state. He had an excellent start to his learning career. He had an individual relationship with every member of the school community -from the gardener to the headmaster. Children were encouraged to develop an active, inquiring learning style and from the earliest years their endeavours -however ambitious- were well supported. Effort was always recognized. The musical program provided an extra dimension helping to build confidence through informal performance opportunities.
The only aspect we regret about our move has been losing Glamorgan.

By Parent - 19 Jan 2010, Rate: average

My daughter entered the school in Yr 9. Timbertop was exceptional and we don't regret that year. The Corio campus for Yr 10 was distinctly corrupted by what seems to be corporate endeavor. I would caution parents as to the promises of positive psychology and the schools consciousness and accountability. My daughter left because GGS asked she leave due to her anxiety levels. They had not referred her to a school counselor and did not communicate effectively with me.

By Parent - 24 Dec 2009, Rate: good

Geelong Grammar is the largest boarding school in Australia with teaching and facilities to match and a strong international profile. Leadership and management are forward looking and staff are energetic and inspirational. Students generally respond well. Cost is an issue for overseas students given the strength of the Australian Dollar and the four term year.