ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL SCHOOL, SYDNEY

Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, St Andrew’s Cathedral School is an innovative, co-educational day school, providing students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with a strong academic programme and extensive opportunities for involvement in sport, music, drama and outdoor education. One of the major attractions of St Andrew’s is the comprehensive student wellbeing programme that seeks to enhance the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of every student. A Christian framework focussing on character development ensures students are equipped to grow socially, emotionally and spiritually. Every student is known and valued, and the highly experienced staff provide the support necessary for students to thrive. The school is close to every city transport hub and Town Hall train station is only five minutes’ walk away. The Senior College is located in the Bishop Barry Centre, providing a tertiary-style campus tailored specifically to the learning needs of students in Years 10 to 12. The NSW Higher School Certificate and the highly regarded International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme are both offered as leaving credentials.

Facilities: St Andrew’s has state-of-the-art learning facilities and technologies that are designed to enrich and enhance learning. Purpose-built facilities include a dance studio, a performing arts theatre, a research centre and library, music practice rooms, a design and visual arts centre, a fitness centre, a unique rooftop playground and an indoor gymnasium. Versatile facilities provide an environment that is conducive to learning. Visit Our facilities – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Electives Years 7 to 9: St Andrew’s utilises the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework for learning that is considered the best practice in secondary schools. Learning one of three languages is a key part of the MYP. Students can choose French, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. In addition to essential NSW syllabus subjects, St Andrew’s Cathedral School offers Christian Studies, Technology and Applied Studies, Creative Arts and Technology, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Drama and Music. Visit What our students learn – Middle School 7-9 (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Electives Years 11 to 12: HSC subjects offered include Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama, Earth and Environmental Studies, Economics, Engineering Studies, English (Standard/Advanced), English as a Second Language, English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French (Continuers), Geography, History Extension, Industrial Technology – Timber, Japanese Beginners, Legal Studies, Mathematics (Standard/Advanced), Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Modern History, Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension, Personal Development Health and Physical Education, Physics, Science Extension, Society and Culture, Software Design and Development, Spanish Beginners, Spanish Continuers, Studies of Religion 1 and 2, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts. Visit What our students learn – Senior College 10-12 (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offers a broad range of subjects aimed at preparing students for tertiary study, with research and self-directed learning a key focus. The following are essential courses: a first language, a second language, a humanities subject, a science subject, Mathematics, a 4000-word extended essay, a service course and the Theory of Knowledge subject. For more info, visit Making the choice – IB/HSC – Senior College 10-12 (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Visit Outstanding results – Senior College 10-12 (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Sport: St Andrew’s Cathedral School provides sports activities for the full range of abilities. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one school sport to help develop a variety of skills, build personal confidence and develop socially and emotionally through team participation. The secondary school is a member of the Independent Sporting Association for inter-school competitions. Sporting facilities include The University of Sydney’s St Andrew’s Oval, which is the home venue for rugby, football, cricket and softball. The school uses other university facilities for basketball, tennis and netball. Students can also participate in cross-country running and skiing, fencing, hockey, swimming, water polo and mountain biking. With so much sport being played and offered, each student can find a niche to excel, to represent the school with pride, or just partake and enjoy the fun of participating in a team sport. Visit Sport – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Co-curricular activities: St Andrew’s Cathedral School has an exceptional reputation for dramatic and musical excellence, with more than 40 music ensembles aimed at a range of skill levels, integrated with outstanding performance opportunities that include Cathedral events, musicals, interstate and international tours. Drama facilities include a theatre, open theatre-style classrooms and a fabulous performance space called Chapter House. There are musical and drama productions each year for Middle School (Years 7–9) and Senior College (Years 10–12), as well as inter-school Theatresports competitions. Other activities within the school include debating, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, mock trial, chess and numerous other clubs. For more information, visit Beyond the classroom – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Student welfare and personal development: School houses constitute a major structural and pastoral role within the school, with each student a member of one of eight houses. Not only are houses used as the basis for internal competitions such as sport and debating, but they also provide the basis for the small tutor groups in the secondary school that meet weekly to assess individual academic and social development. This fosters a culture of care between students as they support one another both inside and outside of the classroom. The Specialised Learning Department strives to provide the best learning environment and resources for every student. The school welcomes those with specific learning needs, whether they are struggling in a particular area or are gifted and talented and need accelerated programmes of learning. Professional counselling services are also offered. Visit How our students learn – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Special features: The school takes advantage of its central city location to provide students with a rich diversity of external excursions and curriculum-based student experiences to complement conventional classroom teaching and learning, and provide practical, resourceful outcomes for all pupils. The school also has a challenging and rewarding outdoor education programme, which students commence in Kindergarten. The programme makes use of the school’s 90-hectare Kirrikee site in the Southern Highlands. In the secondary school, students can join one of many expeditions offered — hiking from Mount Kosciuszko to Bass Strait, canoeing along the Murray River, mountain biking in New Zealand and back-country skiing and snow camping. Every year, a variety of international tours are offered with various faculties. For more information, visit Beyond the classroom – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

From the school: St Andrew’s Cathedral School delivers learning that is relevant to the world in which students live and into which they will move as young adults when they graduate. Students’ learning extends beyond the classroom into the city’s institutions and facilities, which are on the school’s doorstep. St Andrew’s provides a nurturing environment that engages students and seeks to equip every student with the resources and skills needed to thrive. It strives to develop in students a strong sense of identity, resilience and connectedness in all areas of school life.

What makes us different? – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Our people – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

For the latest News – St Andrew’s Cathedral School (sacs.nsw.edu.au)

Head of School: Dr Julie McGonigle