This selective girls’ high school is centrally located in Surry Hills, adjacent to Sydney Boys High. The school was founded in 1883 following the admission of women to universities two years earlier and moved to its present site in 1921. Sydney Girls is committed to academic excellence and fostering individual ability in a caring and challenging environment.
Facilities: Computer rooms, library, drama hall, science labs, music rooms, specialist rooms for practical subjects, multi-purpose hall, tennis courts, basketball courts, rowing shed.
Curriculum Years 7 to 10: English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, French, Chinese, Japanese, Latin, Hebrew, Music, Drama, Visual Arts, Photography, Multimedia, Textiles and Design, Food Technology, Design and Technology, Graphics Technology, Information Processes and Technology, Commerce, PD/Health/PE, Career Education, Scripture, Sport.
Curriculum Years 11 and 12: Advanced English, Extension English 1 and 2, 2-Unit Mathematics, Extension Mathematics 1 and 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese, Chinese Extension, French, French Extension, Japanese, Japanese Extension, Latin, Latin Extension, Economics, Geography, Legal Studies, Ancient History, Modern History, Extension History, Software Design and Development, Design and Technology, Food Technology, Drama, Music, Music Extension, Visual Art.
Sport: Students participate in competitions in rowing, swimming, water polo, netball, fencing, cricket, hockey, soccer, skiing, volleyball, and basketball, as well as zone, regional and state competitions in a variety of sports. There are many options available including aerobics, circuit training, squash, cycling, self-defence, table tennis, touch football, badminton, table tennis, swimming, contemporary dance, tennis, Ultimate Frisbee and yoga.
Extracurricular activities: Clubs — chess, bridge, Scrabble, public speaking, writers, Interschool Christian Fellowship, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Young Achievers, environment group. Competitions — Tournament of Minds, Mock Trial, writing, art, English, mathematics, science, geography, debating, International Mythology Competition, NSW Latin Reading Competition. There are also performance activities such as concert band, choral group, stage band, orchestra, sax ensemble, chamber orchestra, Junior strings, Junior wind ensemble, drama and musical performances, and an annual art exhibition. Annual interstate exchange to Melbourne and international tours supporting language study to France, Italy, and China.
Welfare and personal development: The school has a peer support program, supported by an active student council and prefect body. Support services include head teachers, student advisers and a school counsellor. Work experience is offered to Year 10 students and careers guidance is provided for all girls. The school is developing a strong transition program focusing on the needs of Middle School students, moving from Year 6 to year 7.
Famous ex-students: Marie Bashir, Margaret Fink, Lilith Norman, Marjorie Barnard, Libby Hathorn, Christina Stead, Marilyn Richardson, Glenda Adams, Jane Saville, Jessica Rowe, Bettina Cass, Marele Day, Sascha Horler, Ada Evans, Ethel Turner, Lee Rhiannon, Lucy Bell, Jessi Miley-Dyer.