Melbourne, Australia Report of what it's like to live there - 09/10/26
Personal Experiences from Melbourne, Australia
School Name:
Wesley College
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
Preschool-graduating highschool.
3. What years did you live here?
2025-2028.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
U.S. Consulate.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
There are so many good schools. There really are too many to choose from. There are public schools (which are generally all good through primary school), then there are Catholic schools which are also excellent, and then there are so many private schools. The biggest challenge is not finding a school, but which school to send your kids to. We used an education consultant to help us through the process. We applied to half a dozen schools because the biggest challenge is that the private schools solidify their rosters years in advance. Applying to several gave good chances that one of them would work out. There are all-boys, all-girls schools, co-ed, boarding options. So, so many options. We chose Wesley College because it has one of the best IB programs (which will help transfer for our older kids when we have to move). We also like how Wesley had a balanced approach on academics, music, sports, and student well-being. We have been very pleased with the support services, culture, and communication of the school. Options for schools include Caulfield Grammar School (IB program available, strong sports program, sufficient art, large school), St. Leonards (more arts focused, small sports program), Wesley (IB program, balanced between sports, art, academics), Haileybury (academically rigorous, good sports and arts). These are just a few options. They are all good and there are so many more options.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Yes, if attached to the consulate you need to tell them you will apply as a domestic student. The process is different for "international students".
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
Wesley College's Elsternwick campus was exceptional. They assigned a student mentor to each of my kids. Mentors were chosen specifically for my kids based on the interview the school conducted with each of my kids. The student mentor met our kids the first day, showed them around, introduced them to other kids. My kids had friends from the first day! The parents were equally proactive at reaching out to me, befriending me, and helping me learn the ropes.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
The communication is generally excellent. They have their own app which gives you updates. I have had zero complaints.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
The cost of uniforms can be a bit much when you first arrive. Possibly $700 per child at least. They rent musical instruments but it is not an enormous fee. The music and arts program constantly has programs and performances which you often have to buy tickets to. But this is because it funds the rented hall. There is a sleepaway camp for each of the years starting Year 4 which you have to pay out of pocket. The school offers private instrument instruction that gets folded into the school day which you need to pay out of pocket for. Laptops are provided to the students at no cost to you.
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
The school has sufficient learning support services to support mild to moderate needs. They have been very proactive with my ADHD kids and they have been patient and willing to provide me with the necessary paperwork to get external support. There is a dedicated college counselor (called a career counselor) though they are less familiar and less helpful with the U.S. college system.
2. Is there before and/or after-school daycare available? What are the costs?
After-school daycare is available. I am not sure of the cost.
3. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
Yes, books are constantly updated. The college has three campuses and they share books between them. They are generous with checkout times. The librarian is amazing!
4. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Each student is issued a laptop and case in Year 7. Almost all school work from Year 7 on is on the laptop, though they do have physical books, too. Before then kids do use iPads but not overly so.
5. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Pretty up-to-date. No need for a computer lab because they all have their own laptop and iPad (though the teacher controls the use of the iPads for younger years and it never goes home).
6. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
The sports program is compulsory. Each child has to choose a sport, but they make room for all skill levels. So in cross-country, some kids walk and some kids are setting records. The PE program is great. But it does require you to devote Saturday mornings from Year 7 on to competitions.
7. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
1 teacher to 22 students with floating aids.
8. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
Full IB program is available.
You can also get a VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) degree which allows you to specialize in years 11 and 12 and offers very advanced courses because of that specialization.
9. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
The biggest struggle for someone coming in is that math is taught very differently here. In the U.S. we teach topics in silos...all geometry basically in one year from basic to advanced concepts, all algebra together, and so on. But here they teach all the topics at an ever-increasing difficulty in each year. Because of this difference it can be difficult to place children from Western systems in a class that appropriately challenges them because there will always be gaps in their knowledge. So you have to strongly advocate for your children and proactively help your kids close the gaps that are created from changing systems. We have been able to navigate it ok.
10. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
Yes.
11. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
Yes, all of them. My Year 10 just finished participating in Hadestown and it was freaking amazing. Full-on professional level production. It was amazing!
12. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes.
13. What services are available for students with learning disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
At this school in general they offer learning plans (which they call learning profiles), accommodations, effective pull-out and push-in services. They do not accept students who require an aid, unfortunately. From our research, there are a lot of schools that provide more support. The Catholic school system is generally regarded as the best system for providing support services. For our ADHD kids Wesley has provided sufficient services and were good to work with.
14. What services are available for students with physical disabilities at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Ramps, elevators - Australia in general is good about this.
15. What services are provided for speakers of English as a second language at this school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
We have a couple of kids in prep who are learning English as a second language. They are doing well but I don't know more than that.
16. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
Drama, choir, orchestra, band, basketball, cricket, soccer, netball, handball, AFL football, cross0-country, track and field, magic club, virtual sports clubs, chess club.
The school has a cooking class.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. What is the climate for LGBT+ kids at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Does there appear to be any exclusionary behavior?
Generally accepting.
2. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
YES! and YES! I love the school community.
3. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
I have not noticed any.
4. What is the climate for students who identify as ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious minorities at this school? Are there resources they can draw upon? Have your children had any experiences in this area?
Good.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
A
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
Lots of of amazing opportunities (my son went to sailing camp, broadway musical productions, microbiology labs...and so much more), good friends, good community, supportive teachers.
