Somerville House
    (16 reviews)

    Company Reviews

    Working at Somerville House

    3.416 ratings in total
    5
    5
    4
    4
    3
    1
    2
    5
    1
    1
    88%
    Rate salary as high or average
    56%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.2(16 ratings)
    Career development
    2.5(16 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.0(16 ratings)
    Management
    2.9(16 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.3(16 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.1(16 ratings)
    Ratings for Somerville House are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 16 reviews sorted by most recent
    Sort by
    most recent
    2.0
    Operations
    Sep 2024
    South Brisbane QLD 41011 to 2 years in the role
    A very anxiety inducing place to work for me
    The good thingsSome flexibility allowed to work from home during the holidays for non teaching staff
    The challengesThe leadership team are a close knit circle, some of whom I felt were unsupportive and disrespectful. I felt I had to keep my head down and it was quite political.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Teacher
    Apr 2024
    South Brisbane QLD 4101Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    An academically immersive and rewarding teaching environment.
    The good thingsI’ve been working at the school in the science department for just under a year. The quality of staff and resources are outstanding, and I’ve felt very welcomed and supported in the role. The pupils are what makes the role so fulfilling, as they are polite, self-motivated and always striving to succeed. Their willingness to engage every lesson, and their gratitude, makes your efforts feel very worthwhile.
    The challengesLike any school, the days can feel fast paced, so you need to be mindful with your planning and flexible with competing requirements.
    2.0
    Corporate Support Officer
    Jan 2024
    South Brisbane QLD 4101
    At first, getting hired was exciting because of the school's long history and good reputation. But as time passed, the work became a bit dull. I would recommend it if you need work experience or are close to retiring. But if you want to grow your career, it's probably not the best choice.
    The good thingsFree onsite parking and morning tea provided.
    The challengesThe school's lengthy history has resulted in a highly traditional working environment with a rigid hierarchical management structure. Unfortunately, the top management tends to overlook or disregard staff sentiments, and there are limited career development opportunities available. The overall atmosphere lacks flexibility, and there are no options for flexible and autonomous working. Additionally, top management lacks compassion towards lower-ranking staff in corporate support departments.
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Residental Boarding Assistant
    Nov 2023
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Rewarding experience but not worth trade offs
    The good thingsWonderful girls, really rewarding experience, supervisors are also extremely supportive and there for your well being. Free accomodation and food is a plus
    The challengesThis is not a job for uni students - severe lack of work life balance and fair treatment. Casual staff are not treated well or respected by higher ups and there is 0 flexibility even with exams. Lack of empathy within higher ups and really hard to communicate any challenges you have, staff who have left have given up reporting their issues to higher ups as nothing is ever done
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Information Technology Support Technician
    Nov 2022
    3 to 4 years in the role
    Most staff and students are good... upper management not so good.
    The good thingsMost staff and students are a pleasure to work with. Most full time staff are eligible for free onsite parking. Staff are able to use onsite gym and swimming pool free of charge.
    The challengesIf you want to work in IT and be criticized by upper management for the smallest things, then this is the place to work. I didn't feel supported by management while working there which lead me to leaving. Service Desk was downsized from 4 to 3 staff but the support expectations didn't change. Service Desk support 1400 students (each with a device), approx 400 staff plus parents. 3 Service Desk staff were expected to cover the phones, walk-ins, classroom/event support and ticketing which is unrealistic for 3 people! Somerville House are losing good staff in large numbers. I've never seen so many people leave a company before! Technology in a lot of the classrooms is substandard. They are still using projectors and tatty screens in some classrooms... so much for being an "elite" school!
    5 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Middle School Teacher
    May 2020
    Stressful
    The good thingsTeaching staff who were supportive
    The challengesMiddle and upper management trust issues
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Secondary Teacher
    Mar 2020
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Great teachers, great students, great facilities
    The good thingsCollegiality and friendliness of staff and behaviour and friendliness of students
    The challengesNo real challenges. You work hard and the rewards are great.
    2.0
    Corporate Team Leader
    Mar 2020
    Disappointing given the history and previous reputation of the school.
    The good thingsThe salary was good as was having parking on-site
    The challengesPoor leadership and toxic culture
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Tuckshop Assistant
    Nov 2019
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Great place to work. Staff & students great to work with. Pleasure to come in to work.
    The good thingsLovely staff to work with. Pleasure go work. School hols
    The challengesVery busy workload especially Friday’s. Not getting paid on school holidays a big challenge especially Xmas holidays. No money coming in from work pay rent.
    3.0
    Senior IT Technician
    May 2017
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Environment to reinforce the skills you already possess and use as a stepping stone to move your career forward
    The good thingsExposure to a wide range of technology and the school staff are very good to work with
    The challengesGuidance and support. Not a lot of time to assist with skills development due to workload
    5.0
    Housekeeper
    May 2017
    South Brisbane QLD 41011 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Ups and downs
    The good thingsWork/life balance. Most staff nice
    The challengesHardwork, usual work challenges when cleaning as a house keeper
    4.0
    Pool Lifeguard
    Feb 2016
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Enjoyed every second working there.
    The good thingsGreat management team and staff team environment
    The challengesPoor opportunities for career advancement
    4.0
    Water Polo Coach
    Feb 2016
    1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Awesome group of people to work with
    The good thingsThe other staff and people you work with are wonderful
    The challengesTrying to organize around other commitments as game times are always changing
    5.0
    Touch coach
    Sep 2015
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    It was a great experience
    The good thingsEveryone is including and your always welcome. The people you work with really help you when you are struggling and all the co workers are friendly and kind.
    The challengesSometimes the girls are a struggle as they don't listen or don't pay attention which can be difficult
    4.0
    Boarding Assistant
    Sep 2015
    3 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Great for uni students
    The good thingsGood experience working with teenagers. Great benefits with accommodation and location.
    The challengesNo actual pay (accommodation and food is the pay). Sharing rooms with strangers.
    4.0
    EA to the Principal
    Sep 2015
    I would recommend a job at SH - my experience has been very good over many years.
    The good thingsschool environment is very caring usually. diversity of jobs. collegiality.
    The challengeslong hours and high expectations can sometimes take over private life
    Company Reviews published on our site are the views and opinions of their authors and do not represent the views and opinions of SEEK or its personnel. SEEK does not verify the truth or accuracy of any reviews and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted. SEEK posts reviews for what they are worth and for informational purposes only to assist candidates to find employment.