Moerlina School, Mount Claremont School Reviews

Moerlina School, Mount Claremont

School Reviews

By Parent - 07 Apr 2016, Rate: excellent

My son started Moerlina this year. He absolutely loves it, the creativity, the critical thinking, his teacher. You can feel the happy vibe at this school the minute you walk through the front door.

By Parent - 25 Jun 2015, Rate: excellent

We are current parents of the school. After a very negative experience at a public school for our eldest (huge class, many issues, bullying, disengaging work), both our children are flourishing. They love going to school and have fabulous full days with plenty of exploration and engaging learning experiences. Our eldest is developing beautiful social-emotional skills with moments of incredible empathy never seen before.
The teachers are respectful and caring but still have expectations of the child to reach their potential. There is a valuing of each child as an individual and support for them to be the best version of themselves. They have been receptive and supportive of the individual needs of my children. The relationships across peer levels is an absolute pleasure to observe.
All the children across the years know and respect each other, forming relationships regardless of gender, cultural background, age or ability levels. It is gorgeous to see them all together in the playground.
The outdoor experiences are also great with many opportunities to climb trees and pick fruit, build cubbies, dig, fossick, explore the frog pond and make connections with nature.
All the teachers have taken an interest in our children and got to know them. As for the Principal, she is brilliant and adored by the children and ourselves.
Of course, not everybody is going to connect as best buddies and it takes time to get to know others, but the community of parents is lovely, respectful and genuine.
I have watched the older children move onto high school with such confidence and success.
Maybe some parents are having unrealistic expectations of their child and taking it out on the school...or little personal vendettas, reflective of their own inability to respectfully manage differences and conflicts.
I have taught at an independent school, we have had another child go through the public system and yet another through another alternative school and Moerlina shines well above them all.

By Parent - 07 May 2015, Rate: excellent

I'm a former student of Moerlina, and now a parent at the school as well (this is our fourth year at the school). I really don't understand some of the very negative reviews on this site. Our experience of Moerlina has been fantastic. They strike a great balance between being kind and gentle to the kids, and having high expectations of them. My oldest son struggled to adjust to school and the way Moerlina has worked with him has been so touching, he is now thriving academically and socially. I am so grateful to Perette and all her staff for working with him to allow him to blossom and reach his full potential. I have every confidence that this will continue as he progresses through primary school at Moerlina.

By Parent - 05 Mar 2015, Rate: excellent

Moerlina is truly a remarkable school. Fantastic dedicated teachers and staff. This is not the school for parents who expect kids to sit in rows of desks in classrooms learning things by rote. The upper primary students here are a very impressive bunch as they prepare for the transition to high school. Moerlina is about equipping students with the skills for life, not just NAPLAN, and fosters a true love of learning.

By Parent - 26 Jan 2015, Rate: average

We found Moerlina to provide a wonderful support environment for our children. The school has a beautiful philosophy a providing a caring and supportive learning environment. We never had any problems communicating with any of the staff, and to the contrary would rate the communication at this school well above average. We did however meet parents, especially first time school parents who had very unrealistic views about how the school should operate and what they expected from teachers. Our biggest complaint is the cliquey parents who disregard the code of conduct. Moerlina really needs to examine why it invites such negative comments. The reason is simple. Not everyone is made to feel welcome here.

By Parent - 27 Nov 2014, Rate: poor

If only I had found these reviews earlier, the comments on poor communication and sadly, a very defensive culture are very consistent. Moerlina has a lovely ethos but unfortunately as mentioned in many other comments, just doesnt seem to beable to live up to them. They let a defensive culture and poor communication get in the way of being a successful business for families seeking something better. Consistent comments to any business is an indicator that change needs to happen rather then defend - perception is a very powerful thing.

By Parent - 31 May 2014, Rate: bad

Our child was extremely happy at school or so we thought. Things changed once we had THAT certain teacher mentioned in other reviews (Maria).Everything changed dramatically we were treated like strangers as parents and ignored by this particular teacher. The school we thought was so good quickly turned out to be a dismal. Our child misses the school and the kids but certainly not THAT teacher. We agree with the reviews mentioned previously.

By Parent - 19 Mar 2014, Rate: excellent

If you are a free thinker and want your children to have a similar outlook with an emotional edge then Moerlina is the school for you. I can assure you that this model of progressive schooling will be adopted more widely, once mainstream schooling is found out. We visited at least 4 local Govt schools, they are overcrowded, with far too much emphasis on sport, you are just a number, with an out of date teacher.
If you are in any doubt about what you read and these silly negative comments, I would invite you to come and visit the school and make your own mind up.

By Parent - 19 Mar 2014, Rate: excellent

I'm a current parent at Moerlina. Our children started in prekindy and are now in Preprimary. Our children have language delay and had developmental delay issues therefore we were looking for an exceptional school to educate our children. We definitely found it in Moerlina. From the very beginning we have found the school to be extremely flexible and understanding of our childrens needs, far more than any state school or other independent schools and believe me I talked to numerous principles and sat in on classrooms at other schools.
The school teachers have always worked well with our private speech and Occupational therapists, allowing observation sessions in class and have really embraced any new ideas which will help our children and the rest of the class. The communication about how our children are progressing has been open and positive and when I need to touch base, the teacher and principal have always made themselves available. It took sometime for our children to settle into school in prekindy/kindy due to their needs but the school never gave up on them and the nuturing environment helped them feel safe and secure at school. This helped us have a terrific transition into preprimary where they have just blossomed and really come into their own.
The type of school that I want for my children is one that fosters positive learning behaviours in the children and really helps them develop a sense of self and independence. My children have progressed in leaps and bounds socially / emotionally this term due to the school's strategy in addressing this area. When we have a few hiccups, I have found the teacher and principle to be extremely kind, honest and caring in talking to us about any issues.
We have just come home from the whole school camp and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and meeting like minded parents who genuinely care about the type of education their children receive. The older children engage so well with the younger children and showed amazing role modelling and leadership. No signs of bullying or discipline issues and I came away feeling like this school has really grown decent human beings who are intelligent, inquisitive, confident, caring and love learning.
This is not a hippie school and its certainly not what I would term"alternative". Its a school that is carving a new approach to education where the academic progression is extremely important but so is the development of the rest of the individual. The strategies used in teaching are more student centred and investigative and my children thrive in this environment. Ive never felt that all my children do is craft.
The parent led school council are a group of parents from various backgrounds who work in their own time to help manage this school. My experience of talking to the various council members since we have been at the school, has been positive and I have not found them to be clicky or controlling. As a parent i like to know whats happening in the school and how decisions are made and council have been very transparent and open with the information.
I would recommend this school for any type of child as not only will their academic needs be met but in my opinion and by observing the older children currently at the school, you'll end up with an extremely decent human being.

By Parent - 09 Mar 2014, Rate: excellent

Wow! Our experience has been so,very different from the family below. I feel qualified to comment having been at the school for several years. Our child is definitely not behind in any of the areas mentioned in the previous review. It is important to remember the more you put in the more you get out. In fact the teachers are incredible and our experience has been that they will keep your child on track in every way. The principle is 100% committed,dedicated and supportive and constantly goes beyond the call of duty. We know many individuals who have graduated from Moerlina and gone onto excel in many areas at private and public schools and universities. They all loved and treasure their time at Moerlna.

By Parent - 25 Feb 2014, Rate: bad

It?s a BIG no from us. Don't do it. Your kids will be behind in every way.
sport
academically
and yes socially.
Don't do it.
The principle doesn't give a toss.

By Alumnus - 17 Oct 2013, Rate: average

I have just been told about this site! My God! Its a blog!
Well done Moerlina. Reap what you sow

By Parent - 14 Aug 2013, Rate: excellent

As Parents we are grateful for every day that our son has spent at Moerlina. It has been four years since we discovered Moerlina and we have never looked back. We watch in amazement as many of our friends struggle with unhappy children in many mainstream schools. We watch with relief as our son can't wait to get to school every morning. He has developed into a boy with self esteem intact, a sense of responsibility , an ability to make decisions and an enthusiasm and willingness for helping others. Academically he is completely on track. This is largely due to the incredible teachers and staff that are completely committed to this school. Moerlina may not be the school for everyone- it has certainly been the right school for us. It is comforting to know that we got it right in his primary school years, that he has been happy for those years and he is ready and equipped emotionally, socially and academically for the high school years ahead. Thankyou Moerlina.

By Parent - 24 Jul 2013, Rate: bad

We have finally left after a less than gratifying experience.
Whilst the school had a fabulous ethos it was never really lived up to it in my opinion.

I have read the numerous references to the communication issues presented below. I can say that we experienced being totally ignored by one member of staff.
If you are going for an interview ask the principal if there is a staff member which ignores parents. The teacher in question has had her name in one of the reviews below.

I believe there is a safety issue with the little ones in the early learning center. There have been 2 occasions, which I know of, where on both occasions the children were able to run out to the main road.
Complaints have been made to the principal however there is a simple warming acknowledgement and nothing further has been done.

By Parent - 20 Jun 2013, Rate: excellent

I miss Moerlina and am enormously grateful for every day my children spent at the school. My high school student is thriving thanks to the head start that Moerlina gave her. The thing that most puts her apart from the other students in her cohort is her ability to think - creatively, critically and considerately. It's not just her test scores that have benefited from Moerlina's academic program, it's her leadership skills - both in community service opportunities and on the sporting field. She stands out simply because she genuinely loves learning. We are just one big walking talking advertisement for the school. Love it!

By Parent - 08 Jun 2013, Rate: average

Loving school though definite communication issues with staff and principal. I would recommend this school for its 3 year old program through to pre-primary.
I would definitely not recommend years 1 through 7.
I can?t see this little school surviving due to high debt.
Shame as I believe the school could have been great. I believe the school was let down by a few ex Moerlina families which corrupted the philosophy and integrity due to a bias toward ?Highly Spririted? children.

By Parent - 26 May 2013, Rate: excellent

Thanks to Moerlina my younger son is now a young adult who is very aware of accepting responsibility for his own actions and learning. I am so thankful for the wonderful work done by the staff at Moerlina who turned my son around emotionally in the 2 years he was there (after 5 years of horrendous bullying he had experienced in the state school system which had left him a very angry child). Today He is a well-rounded, grounded and productive member of our community/society, enjoying wonderful lifelong friendships, respect of his peers and employer. The staff at his secondary school recognised the life skills and values that had been instilled in him and other boys that had attended Moerlina. His housemaster commented that he could tell from his first engagement with the boys that had attended Moerlina because of the attitudes and actions that had been taught to them. BRAVO to Moerlina as learning is not just about the 3 R's, it is also about respect, acceptance and being the best you can be.

By Parent - 18 Apr 2013, Rate: excellent

Re: Comment made on the 26th Feb 2013.

It is not clear what you are saying in context of \"social and emotional learning\". Part of Moerlina's curriculum is to help their students to come to an understanding of who and what they are emotionally within the social context of Moerlina school and the wider Moerlina Community. Learning and developing a language around student's internal life is just as important as learning about the three R's. No one said the social and emotional part of the curriculum was going to be easy or straightforward to implement. Lets face it, the emotional elements of our lives can get very messy and therefore we should be developing social and emotional resilience within our children . The very nature of being a child is to learn about who they are emotionally and where they fit into their social world. That is just a part of growing up and Moerlina is one of the very few schools who nurture this part of the child. The current mainstream educational programs ignore the emotional reality of the child at best and suppress it at worst eroding the overall resilience of our children.

Your sentence \"there is an enormous difference between socially and emotionally driven approaches..\" does not reflect the implementation of Moerlina's curriculum. That may not have been your intention but it reads that Moerlina's curriculum is emotionally and socially driven. This is not the case. Moerlina recognises the social and emotional needs of the child within the context of learning . The complete lack of boundaries that you mention is also not a true representation of how the teachers and the teaches aids at Moerlina implement the social and emotional aspects of the Moerlina curriculum. The emotional development of a child is not something that happens within a term or two, and it does not happen in isolation to the all the other children within a classroom and the whole school community. It happens across all the primary schools years and continues well into adulthood. All teachers at Moerlina are on the same page and deliver the social and emotional aspect of the curriculum within an evidence based framework, as they do with all the elements of the National and State curriculum. Yes each teacher is different and teaches the curriculum in their way, but they all adhere to the same curriculum. Teacher collaboration at Moerlina is an intrinsic part of the implementation of the social and emotional curriculum and is held in high esteem by the governing bodies that oversee all independent schools within Western Australia. Moerlina has been at the leading edge of teaching practice for a long time now and will do so for many years to come. The national curriculum is only now starting to implement a social and emotional framework, something that Moerlina has done for many years. This is not to say that Moerlina is the reason for the national implementation. What it does point to is that the Principle and staff at Moerlina make it their business to know and implement the best teaching practices currently on offer. I think this is something that they should be proud of.

Regards

Simon

By Parent - 26 Feb 2013, Rate: average

In my experience social and emotional learning are absolutely vital components of effective education. Sadly, despite the truth of these ideals, they were met with any rational or equity at Moerlina during my time as a parent there. While some children may have been given ?special? attention due to behavioral difficulties, the overall inconsistency of any social and emotional approach left most children insecure. There is an enormous difference between socially and emotionally driven approaches to learning and the complete lack of boundaries or consistency displayed at Moerlina. Despite the best efforts of one or two great teachers, I do not believe that this school understands or implements a successful social and emotional program.

By Parent - 23 Feb 2013, Rate: excellent

The latest research in education shows that improving a child's social & emotional skills have around an 11% positive impact on their learning. This is what so many schools fail to address. Moerlina staff understand that if a child feels safe, knows they are valued, and is nurtured to grow in social and emotional intelligence, their learning will flourish. In my experience with Moerlina for over 10 years, it is a place where real lifelong learning occurs everyday for our kids.

By Student - 23 Feb 2013, Rate: excellent

It's the best school. I've been there since kindy and they care for you , they love you and they help you if you get hurt. We go on school excursions to the Museum and other places. We learn Maths and Spelling and we read every day.

By Parent - 21 Feb 2013, Rate: excellent

I 've been a parent at Moerlina since around 2009 and so far our experience has been excellent. Academically I think my kids are doing really well and they are very happy and enjoy going to school. I have great confidence in the teachers. They are dedicated and knowledgable and I have never had trouble communicating with any of them. A bit surprised by the negativity here to be honest, it's a great school in my opinion.

By Parent - 04 Dec 2012, Rate: bad

A waste of time and money. Agree with the above. Teachers have a real attitude problem with lack of communication. Children seem to have a discipline issue.
Not for us.

By Parent - 21 Oct 2012, Rate: bad

Do you want a social life at the expense of your children?s education?
Do you want to be ignored by school staff?
Do you want to experience how not to conduct yourself (or your children) with interpersonal relationships?

MOERLINA is the school for you.

From the moment we took a tour of the school we were lead down a path of false promises.
On the surface we thought this school had the answers. Unfortunately these answers were simply empty words.

Never again. Mainstream all the way.

By Parent - 16 Oct 2012, Rate: bad

Principle allows the most atrocious behavior of staff. Staff wont (Maria) speak to anyone she has a dispute, run in, disagreement with. In fact she has gone through periods of not speaking with the Principle.
A very clicky school council. Will do and say anything to get new families on board.
A very sad state of affairs.
Ask to see the financials if you go for an interview?

By Student - 11 Oct 2012, Rate: bad

I am an ex student. I found my time there was fun at the time. I got away with being late on a regular basis and just hanging out in the classroom doing craft (cool).
I thought this was the best thing ever. And no homework or at least not enforced in anyway.
I have left now and realize I am so far behind academically that I am having to be tutored.
Though I loved my time there I am angry now that the teachers weren?t bothered.
Be careful what you wish for.

I also think my parents liked the school purley because of the social side of things.
They don?t now though because it is costing them a fortune in Tutoring fees.

In summary . I loved it but if I ever had children I would not send them there..

By Parent - 19 Sep 2012, Rate: poor

Parent run school is my biggest complaint overall. The school has so much potential however there is a group of parents (which run the school) who want it all their way. Partially for their supposed ?gifted children?.
This is a theme which runs through the school at a great detriment to the ?average? student. Unfortunately the school ends up being a dumping ground for very hard to manage children. Between the ?gifted? and the hard to manage the ?average? struggles to be recognized.
Teachers are very moody and struggle to communicate with parents.

It does have a very strong community feel

By Parent - 23 Nov 2011, Rate: average

I believe that despite good intentions, Moerlina fails to meet its own criteria for education because it has no overall philosophy. Each teacher has their own individual opinions on social and emotional education and are generally reluctant to combine with other views or to accept any criticism or comments. As a parent I found this situation hard to work with as there was no united expert opinion creating a foundation for a school philosophy. (Ironic since the school prides itself as placing social and emotional wellbeing as a priority.) The teachers are generally very warm and nurturing however there is a real clique in the school. Certain teachers won't talk to you, or even look at you, even if your child is in their class, if you have the mildest disagreement or question them in any way. The principal, most of the parents and the other teachers are well aware of this yet nothing is done about rectifying it

By Parent - 17 May 2011, Rate: average

I loved this little school when I visited for an orientation and the staff are generally caring and passionate about what they do. But within the first year I discovered they had an old fashioned discipline policy that was scaring younger children in the early learning centre (and perhaps others) who were still learning how to manage their emotions. They promised to change the policy but after the affected families left the school they changed nothing.

By Current Pupil - 19 Apr 2011, Rate: average

Beautiful loving atmosphere. Great community spirit. Has you connecting with your children. Very poor academic teaching with all but one teacher.