Rochedale State High School

Writing this review as a former straight-A student who graduated back in 2023. Had high-functioning anxiety and moderate depression all throughout my senior year - one year later? Completely fine. I believe that says enough.

Great emphasis on going to university; other pathways were encouraged but silently looked down upon. The hidden gems were the tuckshop ladies, a few passionate teachers, and the PAC in general.

Mental health concerns, bullying, and threats were handled very poorly. Staff provide the absolute bare minimum and then send the student back to class. This individual then has to tackle the stares, the rumours and the hecklers all in their own. Counselling is overworked - I felt quite bad to see our counsellors constantly looking stressed - but also requires improvement as a whole. Can be quite dismissive of your concerns; many people I knew did their best to avoid the councillors.

Good luck if you're part of the LGBTQA+, identify yourself with a certain religion, have a mental illness or are generally not a cookie-cutter - the students suffer from tall-poppy syndrome. If you stand out from the crowd in anyway and don't have thick skin already, keep your head down. Don't snitch. Don't criticise. Unless you want to be picked on next, mind your business. This point is not necessarily a criticism to the school - they have no control over their students - but it's a good point to add if you're considering coming here.

DON'T COME HERE IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY OR REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. I witnessed two close friends have to switch schools because they weren't receiving the support they needed here. Once visited the ADC (can't exactly remember the name so correct me if I'm wrong) and witnessed overworked, stressed and passive aggressive staff members. Granted, my first and only visit was back in 2018, but I'm never forgetting how I misclicked a notification on a school iPad and a lady (who I never met before) yelled at me almost immediately. "Did you click NO?!" I remember her shouting at me. I was visiting that centre on the behalf of a friend with a learning disability - I can't imagine what else she yelled about when I WASN'T there. Yelling at students who are vulnerable for making minor mistakes while logging into a website is NOT cool. Hope they straightened that out since I've last been.

There were some beautiful moments from my senior year. There were some lovely people tossed in the mix and days I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. But that all came from me, not the school. I fought everyday just to show up. The curriculum is outdated. Facilities are quite good, despite it all (maybe avoid some old bathrooms, haha xx). Reggie the Rhino was always fun to see, and I like how the staff encouraged students to get involved in that. Good sports programs, got a flashy new million dollar hall if that interests you.

The school puts a lot of their money into making the school look good instead of putting it into something good like for eg: helping students mental health. Mental health is not cared about in this school and if you are found crying in class they will tell you to get over it and keep working.

I wish I could give it a zero the teachers are only there for the money no passion in what they do. The principal and her deputies have a power tip and love to look down and hold power over children. No respect shown and if you aren't to there standards of respect they will suspend you but they will make sure to keep it under 15 days so you have no way to protest against it. I hope the principal Miss Itsikson retires Immediately( she has been transferred around multiple schools around Brisbane and everyone single one has gotten worse idk why they don't just fire her instead of moving her around every few years)