Swinburne Senior Secondary College

Excellent school, that does particularly well at catering for kids who are neurodivergent, queer, have mental health issues or anyone for whom larger, more mainstream settings do not work. My child has just finished a 3-year VCE here (this is another plus - they encourage this option for kids who struggle with overload and it's SUCH a good idea - should be commonplace in ALL secondary schools IMO) and I doubt my kid would have finished school at all in a standard setting, due to the structures and system being often non-inclusive for many teens. They have now been accepted into uni to study the career of their dreams:) I can't recommend SSC highly enough.

I was in the unisex bathrooms when jake wolf ran past and fly kicked ollie across the room while jaden was watching, jasper was hitting on everyone he saw.great school, many illicit substances to be found in the park.

Please think carefully before sending your teenager here. Unfortunately this school has a well-established history of not adequately following duty-of-care laws to make sure students are kept safe. Multiple stories have emerged from past students of times when the school had disregarded the safety of students in order to preserve their "cool among the kids" image. They offer alternative schooling with no adequate framework for how to conduct this. This often leaves vulnerable and neurodivergent young people in unsafe positions.

I've been to a few schools in my life, and heard about many others.but none can even come close to comparing with Swinburne. While there isn't as much of an obsession with academic achievement, you can still do really well here. You aren't limited in any way if you go here - there are signs on the bathrooms encouraging students to go into whichever fits their gender identity (and there's gender neutral ones near the office, but we're trying to get them to make a better one), it's completely free dress - no limits at all, other than the obvious stuff like.wearing shoes. Half the school has dyed hair, piercings, stick-and-poke tattoos, wear pins and badges, everyone looks so individual and unique. The community is judgement-free, bullying-free.there's no such thing as detentions - and there doesn't need to be - because no students feel the need to rebel. We address teachers by their first names, school on Wednesdays is optional, you can leave school grounds at recess and lunchtime to go to the park or buy food.there's so much of a focus on inclusivity, independence, individuality and prioritising mental health and accessibility. Very good for neurodivergent, LGBT+ or disabled students, or kids from disadvantaged backgrounds or even ones who have to couch-surf to stay afloat. Most of the school's student body identifies with some kind of 'alternative' subculture, and it's so visible. Teachers (except for some of the old ones with poor memory) always address students by their preferred names and pronouns, and absolutely listen to any problems you're having and take into account mental health struggles you're having. Couldn't recommend this school enough. Plus there's free breakfast offerred at the canteen if you get to school before the bell goes:)

This school admires their creative students. This is honestly one of the best schools and teaches your the real world and helps your child to do really well. Everyone is so amazing and supportive, there is ZERO bullying culture to be found anywhere. The students are all here to learn and it is an amazing place.

Claims to be 'inclusive' but absolutely is not. I just had an interview to go here and was explaining about my anxiety and ASD. The interviewer then launched into a monologue about how I wouldn't fit in and that I probably shouldn't go here. You definitely should not go here.

My son went to this school and I was impressed with the staff and facilities. My son's mentor was helpful and approachable. I recommend this school to anyone who has issues with the rigid formal high school structure. Students still have to work hard to achieve their goals but it is done in a less formal manner. Students need to be self disciplined and therefore SSSC is similar to university. The art and design areas of study are brilliant.

Good school to check out. My girlfriend attended this school and she loved it.

Lack of parking though which is frustrating. But very close to public transport which makes up for the lack of parking

After previously attending a private school I found the respect granted to students by teachers a refreshing change from the one directional respect found in a subservient sheep herd mentality thrust upon students in private schools.

The school is a fantastic place to learn and find direction for students lost in the maze of self understanding and needing to find an outlet for creative expression. I would not be the computer engineer I am today if it wasn't for the freedom and respect this school afforded me.