Macarthur Girls High is set on extensive grounds close to the river on the fringe of the Parramatta CBD.
Facilities: Agriculture plot, technology rooms, darkroom, five computer rooms, drama theatres and rehearsal room, dance suite, video-editing suite, many specialist rooms, school hall, soccer and hockey ovals, six tennis courts, 25-metre pool.
Electives Years 7 to 10: Agriculture, Applied Movement, Chinese, Commerce, Computing Studies, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Food Technology, French, Geography, Graphic Design, History, Human Movement, Japanese, Music, Photography, Technical Drawing, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts.
Electives Years 11 and 12: Agriculture, Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Community and Family Studies, Dance, Drama, English (all courses, English ESL, Economics, French, Food Technology, Geography, Industrial Technology — Multimedia, Information Processes and Technology, Japanese, Legal Studies, Mathematics (all courses), Modern History, Music, Physics, PD/Health/PE, Senior Science, Society and Culture, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts, Ceramics, Computer Applications (Journalism), Exploring Early Childhood, Photographic and Digital media and Visual Design. Accredited vocational education courses of Entertainment, Business Services, Hospitality, Retail and Information Technology are taught in the school. TAFE courses are also offered to students as part of their HSC curriculum. These courses are delivered by TAFE at outside venues.
Sport: Touch football, cricket, bowling, swimming, tennis, soccer, basketball, aerobics, volleyball, netball.
Extracurricular activities: Choir, instrumental groups, drama productions, school magazine, debating, Macarthur Christians, computer and internet club, video/technical production training, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Mogdah’s Cafe.
Welfare and personal development: The school offers a committed, caring environment with emphasis on student leadership, self-direction, empowerment, compassion and civic values.
The elected student council is represented on school management committees. An effective peer support program operates. The school community has a strong belief in important core values that promote pride in the school.
Special features: Recent achievements include academic success recognised by Premier’s and Minister’s Awards, HSC works exhibited in ArtExpress and participation in the School Spectacular, Sydney West and State dance festivals, PULSE, Celebrating the Arts, Premiers Concert, Christmas performance at a local nursing home and School Concerts.The school has close links with UWS. The teaching and learning philosophy emphasises technology and literacy across the curriculum.
Famous ex-students: Betty Cuthbert, Jodie Gillies.