Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Class Of: A must watch for parents:

Network Ten's Class Of... was supposed to be a contrived reality show, bringing in a super group of talented teachers to help a struggling batch of teenage students up to speed.
By AAP
Date: August 15 2012
Editor Rating:
class-of

But producer Tim Toni ditched the idea after discovering Bradfield Senior College in Sydney, which has a special education wing for embattled students wanting to complete Year 11, on their way to obtaining their Higher School Certificates.

Toni was given permission to film every day of the 2011 curriculum and the struggles and triumphs of 15 students, ranging from 16 to 20 years of age, in search of an education.

Among those appearing in the 10-episode series are Anthony, a third-time-lucky Year 11 student, 20-year-old Jess, who struggled with homelessness and low self-esteem, and Koray, who lives in a refuge and works nights to support his ambitions of education.

Eighteen-year-old Koray has not seen his mum since he was 12 and parted ways with his father when he was 15.

Toni said not all of the students come from broken homes and that's why Class Of... is a must watch experience for every parent who has ever thought of, or given up hope of, their child achieving a decent education.

"The original format was to find an underperforming school, set up a special class and bring in a team of super teachers," Toni said.

"We have in reality here a college that takes in people who have been underperforming, for whatever reason, and has great teachers. They have a relationship-based teaching process and it has great results.

"Anyone who watches the series from end-to-end will see magic happen."

The premiere episode of Class Of... is will placed, to screen immediately after Puberty Blues on Wednesday night.

Toni, a series producer on Big Brother and MasterChef, said he knew of Bradfield Senior College through a close friend but did not realise the extent of its work with those who have fallen between the cracks.

He said viewers would discover that the reasons behind each child's non-conformity with conventional schooling was different and this was very much a documentary about reality.

"The original format was an artificial environment with a cast of characters that are manipulated in some way to create an outcome," Toni said.

"We don't have any of that. This is a genuine school, a proper class of kids who attend the college.

"It's old-school fly-on-the-wall single camera documentary and there are no second takes."

In the final episode viewers will see either the genuine excitement or disappointment of troubled teenagers either making or failing their grades.

* Class Of... premieres on Network Ten tonight at 9.30pm 

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
0 Total Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Related Articles
kids-and-technology
I'd like to meet the parent not guilty of at…
Read more
woman_shopping
ASIC’s 2012 spending clock estimates the average Australian household will…
Read more
brodie-panlock-via-the-aus
The parents of workplace bullying victim Brodie Panlock say education…
Read more
bullying
The Federal Government will provide $4 million to develop new…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.