My kids are still here (one in senior years), but I'm regretting not moving them at the start of the year. The teachers remain supportive and that's the positive, but the school feels different lately.
Last 2 years have been clinical. Dealings with admin/leadership seem to lack the pastoral care OLA once had even my kids have expressed that they don't feel comfortable talking to the leadership staff. Principal Gerard Campbell (shown on site) is long gone, now it's Kate MacArthur. The school is strong on liturgical Catholic traditions (which my kids complain about!), but heart seems missing.
Facilities are dated: Grounds are old, and grey rows of desks are still in some classes. Minor renovations to playground/classrooms help, but dated overall.
Tuck-shop: The tuck-shop is basic but fine with an average selection of food and sushi on selected days.
Activities have been consolidated: My daughter loved choir until her teacher left. Music/arts scaled back. Instrumental lessons are now outsourced to Creative Kidz Onstage (we had specialist teachers before). Unsure whether the photography and robotics programs run anymore. My older daughter (now in high school) loved those).
Pros: Supportive teachers, Catholic Liturgical focus.
Cons: Lost community feel, clinical leadership, program cuts, aging grounds and classrooms
Wouldn't recommend to friends. definitely shop around if you want warmth and extras.
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Last 2 years have been clinical. Dealings with admin/leadership seem to lack the pastoral care OLA once had even my kids have expressed that they don't feel comfortable talking to the leadership staff. Principal Gerard Campbell (shown on site) is long gone, now it's Kate MacArthur. The school is strong on liturgical Catholic traditions (which my kids complain about!), but heart seems missing.
Facilities are dated: Grounds are old, and grey rows of desks are still in some classes. Minor renovations to playground/classrooms help, but dated overall.
Tuck-shop: The tuck-shop is basic but fine with an average selection of food and sushi on selected days.
Activities have been consolidated: My daughter loved choir until her teacher left. Music/arts scaled back. Instrumental lessons are now outsourced to Creative Kidz Onstage (we had specialist teachers before). Unsure whether the photography and robotics programs run anymore. My older daughter (now in high school) loved those).
Pros: Supportive teachers, Catholic Liturgical focus.
Cons: Lost community feel, clinical leadership, program cuts, aging grounds and classrooms
Wouldn't recommend to friends. definitely shop around if you want warmth and extras.