Queensland Independent College

[Gemalala]

Does anyone know about this school at Merrimac on the Gold Coast? Is it based on Jewish teachings?

[jaspen]

i had a friend who was looking at sending her little boy there this year - i believe it is a montesorri based program now days (used to be a little jewish school previously I believe) - she is a teacher herself and was impressed with the size and attention available at the school as a result, plus the programs and the training of the director. However when it came to filling out the paperwork they had a disclaimer form that both her and her husband felt was too thorough and dismissed the school of absolutely any responsibility for her child. Whether or not such a disclaimer would stand up in court is another matter but when they questioned the school the lawyers said the child was not allowed to attend if it wasn't signed so the end result being she did not send him there as they refused to sign it. Up until that point she had been quite impressed with the school.

No actual experience of the school on an ongoing basis but just something I thought you might like to consider

[Vixen]

I'm not comfortable with the natural environment. There used to be a good groundsman there who left for some reason and since then the school looks terrible. The grounds havent been maintained well and it always looks very messy, especially with the very slow progress of building. I'm especially concerned about the length of the grass, which is long and not mowed very often, as we have seen large snakes there. (I live close by to the school and the school backs onto swampland which is often wet). I'm also not comfortable with the future of the school as it isn't expanding as was initially indicated when we made enquires. The director sounds great on paper but I'm not seeing that she's living up to her promises.

[guccibabe]

I know a few people who send their children there and love it. I am tossing up between here and my local state school. but I am still undecided as I am unsure about the pitfalls of a new school (lacking facilities etc.) but after speaking with their prep teacher who does seem lovely.. I do get a good feel.... but interesting to get anyones else's opinions.

[MichelleS]

Interesting comments so far. My girlfriends kids went there but have left the school. She told me that the principal was almost never at the school and couldn't be contacted directly - you had to go through the administrative assistant all the time. There Administrator was excellent but resigned late last school year. The two teachers left which was a shame as my girlfriend was very impressed with them. They were replaced by very nice but inexperienced teachers. Agree with the post about the school grounds. They look terrible but used to be fantastic. The groundsman left and apparently hadn't been replaced. I wonder why so many staff members have left given its a small school??
Anyway, she said that the kids eat lunch wtih the teachers, which sounds very nice. She also said they had a school vegie patch that was integrated with school curriculum and the kids got to take home the vegies grown. She said they also had the vegies with munch and crunch. The kids loved the excursions and loved their teachers. I think her feelings are that if the school can stay afloat it should hold great promise for the future.

[Watcher]

Our daughter has gone to QIC since it started. To answer the original question, there used to be a Montessori School subleasing from the Jewish School that owned the property. Both went under in 2007 and due to demand for a local Montessori School after the old one disappeared, what is now Queensland Independent College (originally Queensland Montessori College) took over the lot. The school is not officially Montessori but uses Montessori principles.

The speed required to get it up and running (so it could open at the start of the 2008 year) has caused some teething problems and it started with only a bit over 30 students, but this year there will be 120 or so.

So if you want a shiny polished school or one with a thousand students, go elsewhere, but if you (like us) are more concerned with an educational philosophy that is child-centred and encourages independence and thinking minds, give this school a serious look.

[kiwimummy]

Just bumping this thread up... wondering if anyone has any up to date opinions about this school? Is it better now in regards to the grounds and building?
Anyone further who can add comments of any sort?

We are considering it for our DS who will be starting Prep next year.

Thanks

[Watcher]

In answer to the last post, yes, good progress is being made. The new library is finished and has been populated with books and computers, with more on the way. There are a number of new buildings including for music and drama. A community garden is also being planned. If you want a polished exterior, you still won't get that, but if you want good education to encourage your kids to be independent thinkers who want to learn, I recommend you check it out.

[kiwimummy]

Thanks very much. It is really good to have feedback from a satisfied parent - that's the most important thing really. If you don't mind me picking your brain further - do you know much about the Prep classes? Are there more than one? Are they composite classes at that age, or just older ones? And what about the number of children in each class? Sounds like things are going well, a garden sounds great!
We are still in NZ so I can't check it out in person yet, so just trying to decide whether to enroll him now and check it out once we arrive.

[Watcher]

There is 1 prep class, 2 cycle 2 (grades 1-3) and 1 cycle 3 (grades 4-7) classes. The prep teacher is loved by both children and parents
All the prep children are buddied with one of the older children.

[abundance1]

I think its great that people are enquiring and taking an interest in what's on offer and what's unique in schooling on the Gold Coast. This school is growing from strength to strength - remembering that it was taken over from two previous small schools that were not viable due to lack of student numbers and support. Any new venture is going to experience teething problems and if it is to succeed, has to tackle challenges in the first couple of years. The fact that it is still operatinoal, is developing and evolving and student numbers are steadily growing is a testament to the commitment from the staff and current families. My understanding is that there is a strong vision for the school - with exciting future developments - orchard gardens, multi purpose courts, alternate teaching spaces. It's worth a look!

[Madeleine]

Just bumping this thread up... wondering if anyone has any up to date opinions about this school? Is it better now in regards to the grounds and building?
Anyone further who can add comments of any sort?

We are considering it for our DS who will be starting Prep next year.

Thanks

Hi there,

I am currently looking at schools in the area and came across this thread, and I have an appointment to go and see them , I was just wondering what you found when you went, and if you did the plunge for Prep? I have two kids one going into prep and the other year 4.

I am a little concerned about some of the comments about the school not pulling through financially, as that would mean yet another move for my kids have you heard anything on that side of things?
So when are you moving over here?
Cheers
Maddie

[Watcher]

Hi there,

I am currently looking at schools in the area and came across this thread, and I have an appointment to go and see them , I was just wondering what you found when you went, and if you did the plunge for Prep? I have two kids one going into prep and the other year 4.

I am a little concerned about some of the comments about the school not pulling through financially, as that would mean yet another move for my kids have you heard anything on that side of things?
So when are you moving over here?
Cheers
Maddie

Hi Maddie,
The school has developed a lot since it started very small - with lots of new buildings including a library, outdoor shaded area, iPads across all classes and after-school options. Funding has been secured for a community garden. The carpark is still ratty due to all the construction but will be fixed next year after the bulk of that is done, so I'm told.

Currently classes go to year 7 and they are planning a High School addition starting 2013.

So the school is still on the small side but growing well and appears to be financially stable.

There is an active P&F and there will be an end of year gala (supervised disco for the kids and separate party for the grown-ups) that is open to prospective parents - keep an eye on the P&F website for more information (Welcome to the QIC Parents & Friends) - and good luck with your interview.

[Madhouse]

I know that this enquiry about QIC Queensland Independent College in MERRIMAC is an old one, but I thought an update on the school is required. I would strongly encourage anyone considering this school for their children, to look elsewhere. This school is seriously lacking basic classroom resources like computers, you will get far better classroom resources in a public school. 7 teachers and over 40 children have left this school in the last few months. The teachers are possibly the lowest paid in QLD and the school has not been paying superannuation contributions to teachers for years. Steer clear of this school.


Hi Maddie,
The school has developed a lot since it started very small - with lots of new buildings including a library, outdoor shaded area, iPads across all classes and after-school options. Funding has been secured for a community garden. The carpark is still ratty due to all the construction but will be fixed next year after the bulk of that is done, so I'm told.

Currently classes go to year 7 and they are planning a High School addition starting 2013.

So the school is still on the small side but growing well and appears to be financially stable.

There is an active P&F and there will be an end of year gala (supervised disco for the kids and separate party for the grown-ups) that is open to prospective parents - keep an eye on the P&F website for more information (Welcome to the QIC Parents & Friends) - and good luck with your interview.[/QUOTE]