St Damian's School, Bundoora School Reviews

St Damian's School, Bundoora

School Reviews

By Employee - 25 May 2023, Rate: excellent

Come and see for yourself. St Damian's is a wonderful school. The children are both cherished and nurtured here and supported to reach their potential. Parents are always welcomed and we provide a rounded education for our students. I love teaching here.

By Parent - 22 May 2023, Rate: excellent

Great school. Great facilities. Great Staff.
Great kids. Great Leadership.
What else is there to say?
Check it out for yourself and don't take other people's word because everyone comes from a different perspective.

By Employee - 19 May 2023, Rate: excellent

As a teacher at this school I feel very supported to reach my potential so I can make a real difference for my students. The children in my class a beautiful and the other teachers and Leadership are always available to help. I really enjoy being part of this school community. I feel very priviledged to be here.

By Parent - 18 May 2023, Rate: excellent

I'm a current parent at St Damian's. Not sure what the above comment is about but the teachers are terrific and my children love coming to the school and love their teachers. there has been some changes with teachers, but I think this is normal for most schools. I know that some teachers left because they either retired or were having babies and some left the profession which is happening for all schools. I don't think there is any school where there isn't a change with teachers at the end of the year - pretty normal stuff! If you don't know the reason you shouldn't be making a comment.

By Parent - 17 May 2023, Rate: excellent

I went on a school tour to visit the school and to check out what was offered. I was most impressed by the new facilities which I believe have just been completed. The school seems to offer a range of activities which is great. The tours were run by the school leaders and they were lovely young people who were obviously very proud of their school. The tour was most informative and the Principal and Deputy Principal were present to answer my questions. It felt like a warm and inviting school to me.

By Parent - 17 May 2023, Rate: excellent

I feel very welcomed at this school. It has quite a diverse range of cultures which encourages tolerance and empathy. This is the type of environment I want my children to be part of. I will definitely be sending my child here next year and I am also moving my older child from another school to this one. I was most impressed

By Alumnus - 13 May 2023, Rate: excellent

Never send ur kids to this school ever!!! I’m warning you Rosanna is tearing this school into shreds each year. The education your child gets is appalling the way teachers handle situations between students is horrific. The teachers very much choose favourites and don’t even try to hide it. Every single year the school looses atleast 2 teachers and last year it was 7 according to my count and this is including the deputy principal. They were extremely discriminative towards children who weren’t Catholic. When the kids would practice their Eucharist/confirmation they would force the non-Catholic kids to sit at the back of the church and they would shove a book in their faces and expect them to read the book for 2 hours straight. And of course there was no talking was allowed for the students but the teachers could talk all they like. One of the students even suggested if they could bring a notebook to draw, and as expected the answer was no. This is extremely unacceptable in my eyes because the students have no say in what they do. Moral of the story is don’t send your kids here it’s a horrible school and it’s in shambles.

By Parent - 17 Mar 2023, Rate: average

Attended open night and was fairly impress by the schools internal facilities. What the school lack in open space and greenery outside, it made up for in size of classrooms which was undergoing renovations.
The staff I encountered on the night was pleasant and friendly, but unfortunately I did not get the the best impression from the school principal who made little effort to highlight the schools achievements or curriculum and on the whole made me feel quite unwelcome.

By Parent - 09 Jun 2022, Rate: excellent

St Damian's is a very good school. My child is always shown a lot of care and nurturing. The curriculum is comprehensive and the management and staff are caring and provide an excellent level of education. Highly recommend.

By Parent - 28 May 2022, Rate: excellent

St Damian's is an excellent school. Both of my children went through the school from Prep to Year 6 and as a family, it was a wonderful experience for us all. Our children thoroughly enjoyed their time at St Damian's and they were very well prepared for secondary school. We have very fond memories of this school and our children will forever cherish their experience at St Damian's. My husband and I both highly recommend this school to all.

By Parent - 27 May 2022, Rate: excellent

As a parent I feel this school suits my children. It is evident to me that the priority of this school is the care and safety of the children. My children are thriving and I am very happy.
There are many opportunities provided for the children. School facilities are being upgraded to improve the learning conditions for the children. I couldn't be happier.

By Parent - 26 May 2022, Rate: excellent

I'm a current parent at St Damian's (of 5 years). My children are happy and learning which in turn makes me a very happy parent. I encouraged my sister to send her children to St Damian's a couple of years ago and she too is very happy. We know our children are safe and cared for at this school. I highly recommend our wonderful school to prospective parents.

By Parent - 25 May 2022, Rate: excellent

I have two children at St Damian's and I couldn't be happier with the school. My children love going to school each morning and every teacher they have had has been incredibly supportive. One of my children recently experienced friendship issues and the classroom teacher was very supportive and dealt with the situation very well. I highly recommend this school to anyone who is looking for an environment that is supportive, inclusive and values the individual.

By Parent - 25 May 2022, Rate: excellent

Left the school a couple of years ago and took my children to one of the neighbouring schools. Soon discovered my mistake. This school is great. Offers a high level of education, children are respected and there are high expectations of the children and how they behave. I have re-enrolled my children in this school. They are now happy and learning. Highly recommend this school. Don't listen to the negative nellies they probably did not want to work with the school. It is easy to blame someone else for issues rather than trying to support your children to become more resilient and empathetic.

By Parent - 25 May 2022, Rate: excellent

School has not gone down, it has in fact improved greatly with the bullies moved on to neighbouring schools.
Management of the school is exceptional with so much being invested into the school to ensure continuous improvement. Community is great at this school now.

By Parent - 25 May 2022, Rate: excellent

Bully behaviour will happen at any school...its inevitable. Teaching children to have empathy and resilience is what parents should do along side the teachers. St Damians has a good environment to foster this learning. My children are always respected and feel part of the community.

By Parent - 24 May 2022, Rate: bad

Don’t bother, school has gone down in the last 5 years with major bullying issues. Teachers leaving constantly due to bad management. School has a bad reputation in the area and lots of kids leave to go to neighbouring schools.

By Parent - 24 May 2022, Rate: excellent

I have a child started this year. Great communication with school and especially the teacher. Always make time for me to discuss any concerns and everything is addressed in a timely way. My experience of the school is very positive and my friends feel the same.

By Parent - 23 May 2022, Rate: excellent

St Damian's is a wonderful school. I have 3 children at the school and all are happy, learning and feel safe within their class and whole school environments. During the remote learning period, the teachers worked with the children online via Google meets throughout the days and targeted their needs in small groups. My children's learning continued and I was very impressed with the quality of education delivered in such a difficult circumstance. My children's teachers have all been positive, approachable and kind. I highly recommend St Damian's if you wish for your child to be happy, safe and flourishing in their learning!

By Parent - 23 May 2022, Rate: excellent

Great school, great environment. All straight classes with no more than 25 students in each. Staff always make time to work with parents and students when there are issues or concerns.
All children listened to and supported. Greatly recommend this school

By Student - 19 May 2022, Rate: excellent

I love my school. The teachers are great and kind and they listen to us.

By Parent - 18 May 2022, Rate: excellent

Great school. My child was supported when having issues. The teachers are very hard working and supportive and always ready to help and listen. I highly recommend this school. The children are good and everyone is really friendly

By Alumnus - 16 May 2022, Rate: excellent

Sorry a bit confused. Are these experiences from 2020 and 2021? I thought all schools were in lockdown during this time?

By Parent - 16 May 2022, Rate: excellent

Thank you everyone for your opinion. Just a reminder that opinion, whilst respected, is NOT FACT.
St Damian's is an excellent school. The school's results are testiment to this fact. These results are public so people can check for themselves. The students do not behave as the person making the allegations has stated. In fact many of the allegations are unproven and simply one disgruntled parent's retaliation of their issues. Bullying is not taught at the school and is always dealt with immediately with students encouraged to move on when behaviour is a concern. Perhaps, disgruntled parent is the parent of one such child. St Damian's believes in the dignity of each person and as such upholds this permise in all that is done. Whilst the Principal is not everyone's 'cup of tea' the values upheld are respectful of all. This even includes people who are disrespectful, even on social media.
Whilst it is good to vent sometimes, it is important to be mindful of what is said publicly as it can be slander unless there is definitive proof which can be defended legally. I believe the school is now passing this onto their IT company to try and identify the URL in order to determine whether legal action needs to be taken over the slanderous remarks about the school.

By Parent - 14 May 2022, Rate: excellent

It's funny how so many parents expectations of a school seems to mirror their lack of worldly experience. The big world once your children leave your tight nests isn't nice...the sooner your children experience this the better they will be in dealing with it....this is why we have anxiety in adults because the adults of today can't bear their children being exposed to the real challenges of life...let your children build their resilience and shut up.

By Parent - 19 Apr 2022, Rate: bad

My child will not be returning next term to that school, enrolled in a neighbouring school and found many children from st Damian’s had also transferred there this year and in the past few years all due to similar issues. St Damian’s is known as the worst school in the area by all other schools due to the large number of transfers and known issues regarding the principle and how the school is run. Would never recommend St Damian’s primary to anyone.

By Student - 03 Apr 2022, Rate: bad

School is bad, was there for only 2 years. Lots of kids leave all the time, teachers are always leaving. Everyone hates the principle. Glad I left that place.I learnt nothing there and nobody cared. Going to a better school now nearby.

By Parent - 04 Mar 2022, Rate: bad

Pulled out my kid this year, all new teachers with no experience. School doesn’t care about obvious issues and principal tries to blame stuff on a 7 year old every time I’ve discussed the issues with her. Principle says my kid needs to “toughen up” against kids in grade 5 and 6 twice his age bullying. Seriously? No concern for kids safety there or mental well-being. She also seems to like putting the kids down and making them feel guilty when they are the victims. Absolutely disgusting. Would not recommend this dump to anyone.

By Parent - 21 Jan 2022, Rate: bad

Principle has a lot to answer for, her archaic manner of running the school is evident, her lack of mental health care of the students with disabilities or children that are bullied is disgusting and the lack of empathy is disturbing. She refuses to acknowledge the school has serious issues and that’s why large amounts of children are pulled out every year. I personally pulled out my three children from this school due to the bullying they had received and have witnessed on the playgrounds which triggers my middle child. Some teachers are also known to shame and humiliate children in class. She tries to cover this up by telling parents she was unaware or she is dealing with issues but produces no results whatsoever. I do not recommend this school as it is not safe for a child’s physical or mental well-being.

By Parent - 14 Dec 2021, Rate: bad

This school failed my children time and time again until I had no option but to remove them, I should have done it earlier as they are now thriving in a new school and never been more happier. I wouldn’t recommend St Damian’s to anyone, unfortunately I agree with the majority of the negative reviews here. The school does have a toxic environment and there is a big bullying issue that is not addressed but denied. Teachers come and go regularly and the education the kids receive is substandard compared to what other schools offer nearby. Please look around at other schools and talk to the parents there before considering this place.

By Parent - 17 Nov 2021, Rate: poor

I now have to pay a re-enrollment fee for my kids because of the number of kids leaving each year and not notifying the school. There is a reason why so many kids leave and parents don't feel they owe it to notify them.......school is an absolute disgrace. The stuff that happens there is an embarrassment to the education and catholic department. My kids won't be returning to that shit show next year.

By Parent - 10 Nov 2021, Rate: bad

This school gave my child anxiety and they didn’t care, I took my child out after 2 years. Absolutely disgusting the way they treat the victims of bullying and their families. Took my child a year to get over the way she was treated by class mates as well as teachers. Principle hides things that have occurred or plays dumb that she wasn’t notified of bullying attacks and disregards parents telling her there is a problem. Principle doesn’t care and the children at the school hate her. She’s a cold heartless woman, should have retired years ago. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone looking for a school for their children.

By Parent - 08 Nov 2021, Rate: bad

We’ve decided to pull out our children from the school at the end of year. School definitely lacks in empathy and victim blame children that are bullied. Management don’t deal with issues and problems do not get resolved in any satisfactory manner. My children were not safe and did not feel safe at any time in this environment. Would not recommend this school to anyone and management should be sacked especially the people in charge. No real support or understanding for children with learning difficulties, they are treated like they are dumb and not encouraged at all. School also doesn’t have a registered nurse on-site like other schools in the area. Nothing but problems with this place and it’s toxic management.

By Alumnus - 17 Oct 2021, Rate: bad

We left there 3 years ago, shit school. Teachers and students are bullies. Wish I never went there, only reason why I did was coz my dad went there and it was a good school back then, but not now. School is the worst.

By Parent - 04 Oct 2021, Rate: poor

Unfortunately we removed our children from this school, it doesn’t provide a safe and comfortable learning experience. I agree with most of the reviews here and take some comfort in the fact we weren’t the only ones as we were led to believe with similar issues. I wouldn’t recommend this school as long as the management remains the same.

By Alumnus - 19 Sep 2021, Rate: poor

Graduated 2 years ago, as soon as I did my parents took my brother out of there, it’s really bad. I was bashed and spat on was on a weekly basis by the same boys and nothing was done. All we got was that “the Principal was dealing with it” and that the boys involved were “only child in the family” and heaps of other excuses so they didn’t have to deal with it. It’s also true that teachers play favourites, only good thing was art and sports teachers and THATS IT!!!!

By Student - 18 Sep 2021, Rate: excellent

I love it there

By Alumnus - 15 Sep 2021, Rate: bad

Don’t bother, school is very bad. I finished grade 6 a few years ago and my whole educational experience there was crap. I was picked on everyday, certain teachers do nothing but play on their laptops and drink coffee during class while yelling at the kids, principle is useless and couldn’t care less on what happens on the yard. I wouldn’t send my worst enemy there.

By Parent - 07 Sep 2021, Rate: bad

My child couldn’t take it there after 3 years, she was bullied from day 1 so badly she began having nightmares, principle couldn’t give a shit and said it was her “perception” that was the issue, so they basically victim blamed. She was verbally abused, spat on, kicked and even had her hair pulled so badly some came off. There is a massive bullying problem at the school and they sweep it under the rug and deny there are issues. I know now know if many parents that have since pulled their kids out due to bullying and lack of support. Kids that have also been picked on by teachers who play favourites as well. They can advertise as much as they want about it being an inclusive catholic school but they do not practice what they preach at all. I would not recommend this school to anyone unless there is a massive change in management.

By Alumnus - 07 Sep 2021, Rate: bad

Good to see some things never change. I went there nearly 30 years ago and the teachers and students behaved just as badly then. I was a transfer student starting there in grade 3 - can honestly say these were some of the worst four years of my life - the bullying from staff and students alike would be considered criminal in the current era. I broke my arm once in the playground- the teachers didn’t believe me and let me walk around with a warped wrist for an entire afternoon. I could barely spell by the time I got to high school. Thankfully my parents sent me to a great high school and by year 12 I was one of the top students in the state accepting a place at Melbourne Uni.

By Alumnus - 15 Aug 2021, Rate: average

School was better 20 years ago, very bad now. My niece goes there and all I hear about it is complainants about rude teachers, massive bullying issues with physical attacks, teachers berating the children in class, lack of support from principle and very little communication with responding to emails and concerns. Wouldn’t waste money sending kids here.

By Alumnus - 14 Aug 2021, Rate: bad

Lol, reviews don’t express how bad this school is, I was bullied there for years. Nothing was ever done. I was punched, kicked, had my throat stood on by the same kids on a weekly basis on the oval. Teachers on duty were never around when the abuse happened. Bullies were only spoken to not really dealt with, nothing changes there. The good teachers have all left to other schools and new ones don’t last long. Place has a revolving door with staff.

By Parent - 01 Jul 2021, Rate: bad

Would not recommend this school, withdrew my child as he was not coping well in the composite class. Bullying is another big problem and principle doesn’t do much to resolve the issues. Lack of communication is also a big issue when you are trying to address problems, the teachers and even principal take too long to reply if at all.

By Parent - 18 May 2021, Rate: poor

Not impressed, kids in grade 4 can’t read or know basic maths. Teachers all young and new and have no idea what they are doing. School constantly asking for money yet they have composite classes as that can’t afford more teachers but they are getting new buildings?More important how the school looks rather then the education they provide. I’m withdrawing my kids application for next year, just speak to the parents of the school and you’ll get the honest truth of what goes on behind close doors. None of the parents I spoke to are happy with the principle or how the place is run.

By Student - 18 May 2021, Rate: bad

School is really bad, bullying happens all the time and nothing is done, principle is mean and makes you feel stupid. Teachers degrade you in class for getting answers wrong. I’m glad I left, St Francis is much better and I love it here

By Parent - 18 May 2021, Rate: bad

Quality of education is low compared to nearby schools and what they offer, focus on sports rather than education. New teachers every year, can’t keep staff and the new composite classes don’t work. They complain they don’t have enough money for teachers but happy put up a new building?! I pulled my kids out last year and best decision we made. Waste of money sending kids to this school, better off sending them to a state school as all the religious preachings there is not put into practise.

By Alumnus - 31 Oct 2020, Rate: bad

Locals have known this for years! School has gone down in the last 5 years, kids are feral. Witnessed kids swearing and fighting outside the school gate once and it was disgusting the language they used, no older then 8 I’d estimate. Parents all around and no one did anything. I wouldn’t send my kids there.

By Parent - 21 Oct 2020, Rate: bad

My children learnt nothing at this school, some teachers yell and belittle the kids, bullying runs rampant with little done to prevent or stop it. I pulled all 3 of my kids out as 2 of the 3 were bullied and physically attacked multiple times there and the principle then tried to victim-blame. I would not recommend this school at all.

By Parent - 20 Oct 2020, Rate: bad

Toxic school environment, major bullying issues that are down played or not dealt with accordingly, an alarming number of students leave each year due to bullying. Since composite classes came into affect children have fallen behind from where they should be. Large number of new teachers every year just out of university that don’t seem to last long either. Many teachers known to scream at children in class and are very verbally aggressive.