Newmark Primary

Newmark is a beautiful school but its version of co design is not authentic. Diversity and inclusion is core to co design ensuring that people from different backgrounds come together to co create/design. We felt that they select children who think the same way. We had a family interview when our son was 3.5 and it was expected that we (parents) would speak with a school leader in one room and our child would go with a teacher into another room to do activities. When we contacted the school and said that it was unlikely he would want to go with a stranger and asked was there another format they’d consider they were shocked as no one had ever asked that question before. After a few days they got back to us and were accommodating by doing the interview all in the same room with our child happily playing with the teacher while we spoke to the school leader. They then scheduled a follow up online meeting to speak to parents only but we did sense that since we asked for a different interview format, they had concerns - lots of question about whether our child followed rules and whether he was collaborative (yes, he just doesn’t happily wander off with strangers!). They followed with questions on a very similar line to our child’s kinder teacher. It goes without saying that we were not offered a place. Our child learned to read before they could speak so we felt that his high literacy may have made them really well suited to a co design based approach as they’d bring something unique to the group.

The school is stunning and the projects the students work on are amazing but it’s worth knowing that if you don’t fit their box this may not be the school for you.

I didn't learn much and It was abit over-rated, playing in the grass was no fun we needed more stimulation as kids. Only the young kids would get to play in the playground and our only option was to play soccer with the boys who never welcomed us girls, we just sat in the shade because I remember the no hat no play. There was a bin of random objects like hula-hoops and balls but it was touched once and never again, I enjoyed sailing. I loved my teacher Daniel Beavan, he was what made this school really worth it. I suffered from intense panic attacks which I couldn't breathe and it only happened in school, I was embarrassed and misunderstood. I hated the rule that we couldn't drink of the public fountain when it was working well and wasn't being used, not everyone had a water bottle and the park is a public place so they couldn't install drinking taps. And yes no school clothes are great because they're not expensive but there is still a dress code and it's because they haven't settled on a school name yet. First Sandridge, Lumineer now Newmark. I miss Sandridge. I enjoyed debating in the teacher who was old and used to be a doctor, he scared me a little but that's to be expected as a anxious child. The teacher dan never scared me though, such a great teacher. I wish him well.
Oh and that other teacher she taught in Lumineer sadly I forgot her name but if she still works she deserved to be fired! she looked short and had dark hair, I'll need to poke around for more information, I can find her name. She told my friend that her brain wasn't capable to do the maths work that a group of doing, that broke my friend and she cried. She still thinks she's dumb till this day, the teacher apologised but it was more out of fear of loosing her job. I'm disappointed we didn't tell anyone because looking back on it now her apology wasn't good enough. She would look down on kids who were 'dumb' like me and my friend of course. Lately I've realised my actual capability.
So no this school does not bring out all the good and positive in your child, it teaches them sure but it's really not all that, and it's way too hyped up to be a fantastic school. It costs alot and I prefer my public school comparing by my experience. If anything it's below average because I reunited with some people who graduated there and they told me they got nothing out of it as well, it's even why one of the students who went there moved away (their now my friend).
However my experience was like 5 years ago maybe they changed for the better but when I tried to help them change for the better I was ignored by the principal. Ok another good thing was how indoor they used to have beanbags and cool chairs, that's all.