Should I take up the selective school opportunity or stay at my current one?

[blackcocoa]

This was the question I asked myself this time last year. Some people may be asking the same question now, and I encourage you to do so, and search for your own answers.

In my case I eventually took up the macrob offer. Now I am well into the Y9 journey, this is what I told my parents when they asked:
The transition to the new environment was fairly smooth, as all the students were in the same boat.
New, great friendships were formed and I am quite happy about this. The atmosphere among macrob students is quite inclusive which is nice.
Travel time is definitely a lot more than before, and I do not like the tram part, but it is manageable. A wonderful news is a new metro station is being built nearby but unfortunately quite a number of years away.
Does the school have great facilities and grounds? no. There are plans for new stuff but that would be years away as well. We get to use Lakeside Stadium and MSAC for athletics and swimming carnivals.
Are all teachers good teachers? I doubt. My parents also commented that there were things with rooms for improvements. (And there were things that got done better at my old school.)
It is definitely not perfect but I definitely do not regret it.

For current selective school students here, feel free to share your experiences as well. Cheers!
   

[zuijinde]

I went to MHS in year 9, but dropped it to go back to my old school.

At first, MHS was absolutely utopian -  you're in an area where you're grouped with some of the brightest people who all want to do well. I mean, just look at the school, it's a bloody castle! But as time progressed, I always felt that there was something missing about the school and to this day as a uni student, I still can't pinpoint what it is.

In all honesty, MHS is a great school, no doubt, but it is kinda overrated. The facilities weren't amazing and I didn't really agree with the teaching style of most of my teachers. Commuting to school was absolute hell. For my prev high school, I only had to wake up at 8am, but for MHS I had to wake up at 5:30am everyday.

At times, I do regret moving away from MHS, and I can't help but imagine how life would be different if I stayed, but nevertheless I'm happy with where I am. All I can say is that the people you 'click' with in orientation are the people you will stay friends with forever.

Edit: Of course, this is from my experience, so don't take this post too harshly. Please PM if you have any questions

[cloudyy]

Firstly I think it's really important to say when you come to this school, be mentally prepared because everyone around you are very intelligent and there will always be someone better than you for anything unlike what might've been in your old school. For a few weeks here (still do lol) I felt so dumb because everyone in my class was acing tests when I was even struggling to get the basic information stored in my head. It really pressures you to study harder and catch up with things you might not have learnt before but just know that it's going to be rEally tiring.

Also can I just say that I am absolutely sick of public transports now, I take 40~50mins from my house to get to school and I always dread going on train and tram every morning & after school Unless if you have friends going on the same train then you're lucky, it's going to be fun :>

But I think the best part of coming to macrob was making new friends. I was able to make great friends on the first day and I cannot thank enough for those friends, I adore them so much and they give me so much support.

For new opportunities, there are many + leadership positions as well such as clubs, conferences, speeches etc. and GIV, committees, social service representative (<idk if thats correct but oh welp) etc. Make sure to apply for leadership positions at the beginning of the year! I regret not applying for any of them

Most teachers here personally I don't like and I think that's because last year they had a problem with the teachers and a lot of them left? Not 100% sure what happened but no the current teachers here mostly either explain things too complicatedly or don't know how to teach at all. I self study for science rn because my teacher brings up year 12 stuff into class and i don't understand a single thing 😎

So if your school has good facilities, teachers and great friends I wouldnt move but if not, you won't regret moving It's also great that the school's in the city and usually after school you get to go out with friends to drink bubble tea mmm

Also feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

[Stormbreaker-X]

I am moving schools next year if you get in and I can say that it takes more than 1 hour to get to school. That means I would have to wake up everyday earlier, which means more hard work. My school is in the city and that is what I love most about it. The curriculum is the same, except the cohorts would be a lot stronger and smarter, so it's time to lift up my games. This is just what I think, don't let this impact your decisions.