Kogarah High is a learning community offering excellence and diversity in a happy, safe environment. Here, students of all abilities, backgrounds and learning styles receive the time and support to develop into successful learners. Students are challenged and encouraged to develop the skills to be life-long learners and responsible citizens.
Facilities: Large assembly hall, gymnasium, four computer rooms, laptops, specialist laboratories, design and technology rooms, practical workshops, modern library.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Art, Music, Arabic, French, Indonesian, Food Technology, Italian, Commerce, Design and Technology, Woodwork, Computing Studies, Sport Science and Chinese.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Mathematics (all levels), Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Senior Science, Visual Arts, Music, Arabic, Food Technology, Legal Studies, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Society and Culture, Modern History, Ancient History, Engineering Science, Computing Studies, PD/Health/PE, Design and Technology, Work Studies, Community Languages. An expanding range of post-compulsory options include school-based, dual-accredited vocational courses such as Hospitality, Building Construction and Retailing, JSST/TAFE courses, and an extensive, flexible work experience program for students in Years 10 and 11.
Sport: All students participate in a program of sport that includes teams entered in many sporting competitions with soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, rugby and athletics among the most popular.
Extracurricular activities: Music, debating, computing, drama, video production, photography, camping, SRC, wide variety of excursions.
Welfare and personal development: Kogarah’s Year welfare groups, pastoral care and peer support programs are well established and effective. Discipline is firm, fair and consistent within a student welfare system based on clear school rules, close contact with parents and positive recognition of student achievement and responsible behaviour. The staff includes a careers adviser and two guidance counsellors. Literacy and numeracy are taught across all subject areas. The school also runs gifted and talented classes (Years 7 to 10) with a maximum of 20 selected students who undertake a genuine advanced course of study. The full school uniform policy is supported by the entire school community.
Special features: The school has a flexible timetable with longer teaching/learning periods for all students. Small class sizes and the development of individual learning plans by an effective learning support team are special features of this school. There is an extensive ESL support program and the employment of an international students co-ordinator to ensure improved support for international students and improved communication with their parents.
Famous ex-students: Ken Rosewall, Garry Chapman, Bruce Compton, John Hewson, John Tapp.