Sydney Boys High School is a secondary school in Sydney, Australia. The school has 1140 students, from Year 7 to 12, and is a selective school catering for the academically-gifted . The school was famous for being the foundation of the New South Wales government sponsored secondary education system. The school does well in debating, sports and other co-curricular activities. It has educated many high-profile and influential individuals who have reached the top of their fields on the global level.

History

The school was founded in 1883, making it the first boys' state school in Sydney. In 1896, the school became a member of the AAGPS (Athletics Association of Greater Public Schools). The school is famous for its high profile and powerful alumni, the many ex-student organisations and the originator of the NSW government higher education program. It was originally located on Castlereagh Street in the city of Sydney. Later, it moved to Mary Ann Street, Ultimo. In 1928, the school moved to its current location at Moore Park, on the fringe of the inner city.

Departments

The school is made up of 11 departments, each teaching one or a variety of related Board of Studies endorsed subjects. The departments are:

• English (Subjects: English, Drama)
• Mathematics (Subjects: Mathematics)
• Science (Subjects: Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics)
• Creative Arts (Subjects: Visual Arts, Architecture, Photography, Music). Note: The Creative Arts department is split into two subdepartments operating under different regulations and in different parts of the school. One is the Visual Arts subdepartment, the other is the Music subdepartment.
• Social Sciences (Subjects: Geography, Commerce, Business Studies, Legal Studies, Economics)
• Languages other than English (Subjects: French, German, Chinese, Latin, Classical Greek, Hebrew)
• Personal Development , Health and Physical Education
• Industrial Arts (Subjects: Design & Technology, Technical Drawing, Computer Studies, Engineering, Software Design, IPT)
• History (Subjects: History, Wars through the Ages, Empires, Ancient History, Modern History)
• Welfare (Subjects: Character Education)
• Careers (no subjects offered)

Enrolment policy

Due to the fact that Sydney Boys High School is a selective school, it only accepts 180 students in year 7 who have passed an academic ability test in year 6. There are also places for entry in years 8-12, as well as a reserve list system in those years for those who have not been offered a place in other years.

Notable former students

Former students of SHS who have achieved distinction in various fields include:

• Sir Roden Cutler, VC — former state governor
• Sir Earle Page — Prime Minister (for 11 days)
• Professor John Cornforth — won Nobel Prize for Chemistry (1975)
• René Rivkin — stockbroker
• Paddy Mcguinness — journalist
• John Pilger — journalist
• Hon. James Spigelman — judge (currently Chief Justice of New South Wales )
• James Wolfensohn — President of the World Bank
• Russell Crowe — actor
• John McGrath — Real-estate proprietor
• Craig Wing — sportsperson
• Chris Whittaker — sportsperson
• Duncan McRae — sportsperson
• Daniel Macpherson — actor

External Associations and links

• The High Club Ltd.
• Sydney High School Lodge
• The Sydney High School Old Boys' Union Ladies Auxiliary
• Sydney High School Old Boys Union Inc.
• The Sydney High School Foundation Inc.
• Parents & Citizens Association
• Sydney Boys High School
• Sydney Boys High School Debating