Sydney Boys High School

School Overview

Sydney Boys High School, located in Moore Park, has many advantages for your son. You may like to read the About, History and Location sections of this web site to gain a further understanding of the school as a whole.

As the first government high school in NSW, the school has played an important part in Australia's history, producing community leaders in law, science, the arts, business, finance, the public service, industry, politics, the professions, religion and in sport. When you accept enrolment at High you become part of a very proud tradition. Students at our school seek to excel in academics, sport, leadership, citizenship and co-curricular activities. Students are expected to participate fully in school life.

The school has an enrolment of 1198. Boys come from all over Sydney to experience an all-round education. Virtually all boys go on to tertiary study at university. Academic expectations are very high. All boys participate in academic competitions. In Year 7 students are offered choices in their language study. Enriched or compacted curricula are delivered in Years 7-10. Structured acceleration opportunities are built into curriculum offerings in Years 10 and 11. Senior courses are taken at advanced level only. University Developed Board Endorsed courses are offered in stage 6.

Since 1906 High has participated in competitions organised by the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools (the GPS). This competition is played on Saturday, summer and winter. Rowing, cricket, tennis, basketball, swimming, water polo and sailing are our summer sports. Rugby, football, target rifle shooting, volleyball, cross country running, fencing, and table tennis are offered in winter. Athletics has its own season. The school also competes in CHSSA knockout competitions as a foundation member since 1913.

At Abbotsford the Sydney High School Foundation Ltd owns and maintains The Outterside Centre, a fine rowing facility incorporating dormitory accommodation with seminar and function spaces. We have access to the McKay playing fields under a licence held by the Foundation with Centennial Parklands. The Fairland Pavilion, built by the school, is maintained by the Foundation. At Moore Park, our UTS Sports Stadium provides excellent basketball and fitness training facilities. There are also two basketball courts outdoors and 4 retractable practice cricket nets. For tennis, the school has 4 championship standard hard courts on site with a resident Tennis Professional. Moore Park is used by our boys for recreation, PE lessons and sports training. We have a fully equipped Weights Room and a Strength and Conditioning Coach on site.

The school operates two libraries (Junior and Senior) staffed by two Teacher Librarians. In these libraries, boys have access to networked computers, research software and wireless network connections. The school operates extended Library hours to provide students opportunities for extra study before school. High has a proud tradition in debating and public speaking. The Eastside, FED and GPS debating competitions take place on Friday nights during Terms 2 and 3. State PDC school competition debating is held on weekdays. Chess is a popular and well organised activity. Competitions are held on Friday afternoons. More than 200 boys play a musical instrument and perform with one of our ensembles that are rehearsed in the mornings by our three music teachers and specialist musicians. Boys have multiple performance opportunities each year. Up to 23 tutors work with our boys individually to improve their performances. High has a dozen ensembles and a marching band that performs at the Anzac Day march in the CBD each year. High has an active performance drama program and a circus troupe.

We operate a school cadet unit which attracts up to 50 students. Parades are held on Tuesday afternoons. The unit conducts a bivouac and an annual camp each year. The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme is operating at High with a large majority of our boys accessing our Outdoor Education program in Years 7-9, giving them the preparation to qualify for the Scheme in the senior school in Years 10-12.

Our acclaimed Student Awards Scheme provides significant opportunities for recognition of achievement in a variety of endeavours. Individual personal development is fostered through our Values Education, Peer Support and Peer Mediation programs. Leadership aspirations are catered for in the Student Representative Council, the School Prefects, High Resolves, our Leadership Programs and through membership of sporting and co-curricular teams, support groups and service committees. The school issues a weekly newsletter – High Notes and a bi-annual High Flyer. The school’s achievements are published in The Record. The students are expected to conduct themselves well and to maintain the good standing of the school in the community. They are required to wear full school uniform which is available for purchase from The High Store. There are academic, co-curricular and social links with Sydney Girls High School on an adjacent campus.

Tax deductible donations by parents make attendance at High more affordable and contribute significantly to keeping parent contributions very low compared to our GPS competitors. Annual tax deductible donations can be used to support the Centenary Building Fund, the Sydney Boys High School Student Research & Resources Fund, the Sydney Boys High School Building Fund and the school's sports facilities and development programs through the Australian Sports Foundation.