Resurrection School, Essendon School Reviews

Resurrection School, Essendon

School Reviews

By Parent - 17 Dec 2019, Rate: poor

I am looking at suitable schools for my child to start prep. These reviews are very mixed however the most recent review is a cause for concern for me, because I’m hoping my child will be academic and dedicated to their school life and if they were to be treated in this manner and treated unfairly I wouldn’t be comfortable with that kind of behaviour from the principal and teachers. It is very concerning to think that this type of thing is happening. I may steer clear of this school as an option.

By Parent - 14 Dec 2019, Rate: bad

There has been a drop in the class sizes at this school in the last few years, which is a concern. There is no friendly school receptionist here, just a very blunt lady who continues to look miserable behind the front desk and comes across the same way over the phone. I’d imagine this wouldn’t be helping the intake numbers as this is the first point of contact and the first impression of the school. ICT program isn’t great, sports isn’t great. The children play on a carpark with no grass area at lunchtime. For a high school, this wouldn’t be to bad as most teenagers sit around and chat but children at primary school like to still play, the children try hard to find things to play but they sometimes run out of ideas and become bored for most of lunch. On extremely cold days unless it is raining the children must stay outside, yet the teachers are warm in the staff room... I don’t understand this. Then when children are away sick as a result of being left outside in freezing cold temperatures their absence is the reflected in their grades on their report card. If a child is bright and capable, so you happen to question why they were graded low for a particular area, the teachers just simply say oh well.. they weren’t there that day we did testing for that so they couldn’t complete it... even though they are capable. Although if they had have been kept inside in freezing cold temperatures they would not have been away sick. Children are not judged on merit.... children that are either polish or children of parents that help at the school are given preference. It is absolutely appalling when a child has worked relentlessly to the best of their abilities through their years at the school, achieved excellent results and been a perfect example of how a student should behave particularly in class and is rewarded very little and not even considered for a captaincy roles, leaving them to feel demoralised and deflated. These teachers don’t realise that the well behaved students actually make their job much easier !! There was an earlier comment that read something along the lines of “each child is judged by the parents” and this is not a lie, it is most definitely true... unfortunately. The parents can be very snobby this is also true, you learn very quickly not to be very friendly like the rest of them and that’s difficult particularly when you have a bubbly, friendly personality... my children’s time here is very limited now and I’m becoming pretty happy with that. To continuously see your child not acknowledged for their hard work and great results is becoming tiring and then having to step in as a parent and cheer your child up and keep them motivated when they feel like giving up is exhausting. To see your child hurt like that is particularly hard to watch and you feel completely helpless and to know this hurt has been caused by their teachers is very upsetting. The role of a teacher should be to help children thrive. The role of a teacher should be to nurture, encourage and extend students. The role of a good teacher is to acknowledge those students who have worked tirelessly and produced an excellent standard of work and an excellent standard of behaviour and reward those children for their accomplishments and behaviour through awards and captaincy roles, those children should not be overlooked.... this is what I mean by children are not judged based on merit but rather other hidden agendas. This is very disappointing because it could be a good school with its old fashioned teaching practices and it does yield good results, but most children that are achieving good grades would have supportive parents helping them from home as well. But these are the truths and the reality of matters that are unjust within the school. Teachers and principals more importantly should lift their students up, not drag them down, and when they are doing these things then it is probably time for those teachers to find another occupation because they are doing the wrong thing by the students.

By Parent - 26 Nov 2019, Rate: excellent

Outstanding in every way.

By Parent - 03 May 2019, Rate: poor

well I must say I made my first holy communion at Resurrection House in 1955. I have mixed memories, some horrible, especially about one of one girl who had a problem with bed wetting, I will never forget how she was shamed, still brings tears and I get choked up even mentioning it. At the time I was a little girl could hardly speak English and thought it was normal behaviour. Not all sisters were bad, One use to take me to the markets on the bus to do the shopping and another tried to make me a dress. Our nun who was in the dormitory that was another thing. She was horrible and did dreadful things to us. Things I had forgotten till all this child abuse has come into the media, Yes I would say we were the forgotten children mostly refugees...It is sad that the person above in their comment can just frivolously brush it aside... what if it was your child who was abused and suffered by the nuns bit sad. But some people just have no idea....

By Alumnus - 31 Aug 2018, Rate: excellent

Would love to get in contact with the boarder who board in the 60 s so did I three sisters

By Alumnus - 01 Apr 2018, Rate: bad

I was placed in that boarding school in the 60s
I also have Horrible memories and nightmears to this day!

By Parent - 08 Mar 2018, Rate: excellent

Comments re boarding school from back in 1900's are irrevelevant to the way it is run now given that it hasn't been a boarding school in the 40 years I've known it and/or been associated with it.
The school as I've known it for that period of time has been one of community and strong academic focus.
I particularly like how the children are shown how to show respect and are given a wonderful foundation to their education.
Speak to many of the parents who have the first hand experience of seeing their children at above the NAPLAN national standard along with being wonderfully prepared for secondary school.
At the end of the day, people can only share their experiences and I am very sorry to hear any stories regarding boarding school olden days, however that does not relate to this particular school as it has been for half a century now approximately. I've never known it to be a boarding school in the better part of 50 years, so the comments probably are best shared elsewhere, in my opinion - given that parents usually look to these reviews for the current climate of education.

By Alumnus - 13 Feb 2018, Rate: bad

Is this the book the alumnus was looking for? Orphanage Boy: Through the Eyes of Innocence by Ryszard Szablicki

By Alumnus - 16 Nov 2017, Rate: poor

Memories of this boarding school were horrific and depressing for EEnglish displaced children and others who were sent there , never shown affection, lots of abuse and ridicule,my nightmares ccontinued for years after... and yes I can still remember the "bed" check every morning by the nun... dont ask what happened if you had a tooth ache... by todays standards these nuns would have been charged... still have a photo of me standing on the stairs holding onto the bannister, 5 years old... thats how it was... I am searching for a book written by a former young boy same circa ....

By Parent - 02 Sep 2017, Rate: excellent

Very happy. NAPLAN results (if that's what you want to go by) are fabulous. Well above national average. Personally, I don't judge via NAPLAN results. I think, as a parent, you should know where your child requires the most help and where their strengths lie etc. To me, it comes down to individual performance and constantly striving for the best the child can reach to their own potential.
The smaller sizes of classes is the perfect accompaniment for a more personalised education and the school has a lovely, cozy and warm feel to it, whilst still ensuring children strive and reach their full potential.
It's refreshing to see children who are polite and well-mannered in a society that is heading in the opposite direction.
Congratulations Resurrection House! Keep it up!

By Alumnus - 21 Aug 2017, Rate: bad

I was placed into Ressurection House because my parents who were Polish could not look after me, about 1954.
I wet the bed, they wrapped the wet sheets around my head and gathered up all the other children who then proceeded to humiliate and degrade me. I have never forgotten.
Not only did the nuns humiliate me, they encouraged the other children there to tease and humiliate me. I wonder if any of these children when they became parents humiliated their own children if they wet the bed.
I wonder if Jesus had wet the bed when he was 3,4,5 years old, would they have wrapped his head with his wet sheets and gathered up all the other children to humiliate and degrade him.
And they call themselves Christian.
Jesus taught love, compassion, humility (not humiliating defenceless children), understanding, kindness, respect.
The hypocrisy of these Catholics Nuns.
It still affects me to this day.

By Parent - 01 May 2017, Rate: excellent

So proud of this school. Providing the basic skills for a child's education, english, maths, timetables, spelling, etc. It is not technological savvy and some parents find this an issue. Why? l don't know. Most children know how to use an ipad by the time they are in prep! Also homework is given to prepare them for secondary school. If you want good old fashion learning, this is the school for you.

By Alumnus - 06 Jan 2017, Rate: excellent

Loved it so much that the next generation of our family are now attending.
There's something to be said about a principal who knows how to run a school well and leads by example.
Thoroughly happy with our decision to have our children attend, for both the great education and the history/memories combined.
It should be noted how polite the students are even just walking into the school grounds.
You are always greeted with "Hello Mrs ...., How are you today?" etc.
It's a lovely feeling of community, family and respect for one another.

By Parent - 06 Jan 2017, Rate: excellent

What a lovely environment and school community, not to mention a great academic foundation for primary school.
It's the best in terms of getting the basics of education and getting them without all the fluff/nonsense that many schools now incorporate.
Very happy indeed.

By Parent - 24 Aug 2016, Rate: excellent

I sent my two children to this school and I couldn't be happier. The teachers were good but some were just mediocre. My children both learnt good manners and good study skills. The principal is wonderful she addresses any problems straight away. I highly recommend this school because thanks to the good teachers, my child got scholarships to different high schools.

By Parent - 07 Aug 2016, Rate: excellent

Can't speak highly enough about how wonderful this school is.
Students are well-mannered, along with impeccable teaching.
Whilst they don't do inter school sports any longer, there is much enjoyment to be had on the Athletics carnival days; an intensive swimming program, and days such as the upcoming mini-Olympics and of course regular weekly PE classes with a reputable PE teacher.
This school is a lovely community environment and I'm so proud to be a part of it and to have our children get their primary education here.
Sister Hermina knows good education and how to get the best out of students, whilst ensuring parents are a part of the foundation of their learning every step of the way.

By Parent - 18 Mar 2016, Rate: excellent

I have two children currently attending this school and I couldn't be happier. Any issues that arise are promptly addressed by the principal and teachers without any hesitation and I really feel I can turn to them and count on them to help my children. All the parents I know are caring, kind, mature and supportive of their children. My kids love their school so that has to say something about the school. The results are great academically. The positive side of one class per year level is the children really form close bonds from growing up together, and then of course there are new children attending the school and coming into the classes. So they do get to meet new children and use their social skills. Unfortunately back in the day nuns were hard.I attended St Monica's College in Epping run by nuns back in the day and they were hard. But that is certainly not the case here now. The nuns are lovely. The principal Sister Hermina is a beautiful soul who would help any body that needed help. She is selfless, caring and dedicated to the school and the children. The whole feel of the school is very family orientated and all faces are familiar because the school is small with many morning greetings being exchanged. At the end of the day what works for one may not work for another but I can certainly say that my opinion is that this school is one of the best in the area.

By Parent - 05 Dec 2015, Rate: excellent

This school is a perfect school!!The other comments are totally wrong.It is the best school in the whole of Essendon and the teachers are the nicest teachers I've ever meet in a long longtime!!!

By Parent - 22 Nov 2015, Rate: excellent

For the best education I would highly recommend Resurrection.
I as a parent have one child currently in school at Resurrection. I have another that completed her schooling there a few years ago. I also have a daughter starting there next year.
I wouldn't know where to start to express my satisfaction with the school. Well educated children with great manners, very family orientated. The old world system of education is proven, it works! Children learn at Resurrection, that's what children go to school for. Thank you to the Sisters and teachers for all that you do for our children.