Sydney Girls High School
Sydney Girls High School
Sydney Girls High School (SGHS), also known as Sydney Girls, is a distinguished government-funded single-sex secondary day school situated in Moore Park, Sydney, Australia. Established in 1883 and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, Sydney Girls High School is proud to be a part of the Port Jackson Education Area within the Sydney Region.
With a rich history spanning over a century, Sydney Girls High School has earned a reputation for academic excellence and empowering young women to reach their full potential. The school caters to approximately 940 students, spanning from Years 7 to 12, providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Located in close proximity to its "brother school," Sydney Boys High School, Sydney Girls High School benefits from a collaborative and dynamic educational community. The synergy between these neighboring schools fosters opportunities for shared resources, joint extracurricular activities, and the celebration of achievements across genders.
Programs in Sydney Girls High School
In the realm of Creative Arts, students at Sydney Girls High School have the opportunity to delve into a wide array of artistic expressions, encompassing dance, drama, music, and visual arts. Through these disciplines, students not only develop an appreciation for the arts but also engage in composition, listening, creation, and performance. Each art form possesses its own unique knowledge, skills, and concepts, making the arts subjects a source of inspiration and enrichment in students' lives.
During Years 7 and 8 of Sydney Girls High School, both Music and Visual Arts are compulsory subjects, while Drama becomes a mandatory study in Year 8. As students progress into Years 9 and 10, they have the choice to pursue Drama, Music, and Visual Arts as elective courses. In the senior years of 11 and 12, students may opt to study Visual Arts, Drama, and either Music 1 or Music 2. Those who undertake Music 2 also have the opportunity to extend their studies with the additional Music Extension course in Year 12.
English holds a prominent position in the Sydney Girls High School curriculum, being compulsory from Kindergarten to Year 12. Through the study of English, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the language in its various forms, including spoken, written, and visual texts. Their analytical and interpretive abilities progress as they advance through their schooling, fostering critical and imaginative thinking, effective communication, and lifelong learning. Proficiency in English equips students to confidently participate in Australian society and nurtures their intellectual, social, and emotional development, instilling a passion for literature and a willingness to explore new ideas and self-expression.
Languages play a vital role in Sydney Girls High School, where they are mandatory subjects in Years 7 and 8. The study of languages enables students to hone their communication skills, gain insight into language systems, and explore the intricate connection between language and culture. At Sydney Girls High School, students embark on learning two languages in Year 7, with the option to continue studying one or both in Year 8. The school offers a diverse range of languages, including Chinese, French, Japanese, and Latin. Further language study is available in Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5) and Years 11 and 12 (Stage 6), supplemented by extension courses for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Latin in Year 12. Excursions, competitions, and language-focused events enhance the language learning experience, fostering cultural appreciation and linguistic proficiency.
The study of Mathematics is compulsory from Kindergarten to Year 10, providing Sydney Girls High School students with the foundations to engage with mathematical concepts, problem-solving, reasoning, and effective communication. The Years 7-10 Mathematics curriculum at Sydney Girls High School revolves around three core strands: number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability. As students progress to Years 11 and 12, Mathematics becomes an optional subject. Sydney Girls High School offers a range of courses, including Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only), Mathematics Extension 1, and Mathematics Advanced, allowing students to tailor their mathematical studies to their interests and aspirations.
In Sydney Girls High School, students have the option to participate in special religious education or special education in ethics. Parents can communicate with the school to withdraw their child from special religious education, granting them the opportunity to engage in special education in ethics during their primary years.
Life Ready, a mandatory program in Sydney Girls High School, is designed to prepare and support senior students in Years 11 and/or 12 as they navigate situations related to health, safety, and increasing independence. This program, spanning 25 hours, aims to equip students with the practical knowledge and skills necessary for life beyond school, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead.
School Life
The School Council plays a pivotal role in the governance of Sydney Girls High School, serving as an integral part of its decision-making processes. Comprised of elected representatives from various stakeholder groups including parents, staff, students, the Old Girls Union, and the wider school community, the Council operates with members holding different terms of office based on their respective constituencies. Emphasizing inclusivity, the Council strives to be as representative as possible, with participation from P&C office bearers, parents, Prefects and SRC members, teaching and ancillary staff, as well as community members who possess a strong ongoing interest in the school.
The Council's primary objective is to discuss and provide valuable advice on matters of significance to the school community, encompassing areas such as infrastructure development, network and community support, commemoration of historical milestones, and preservation of the school's cherished traditions. Regular Council meetings are held each term, while ad hoc committees are formed to address emerging issues and focus on specific items of business. Currently, one of the Council's key priorities is the realization of a new building that will facilitate the performance of various artistic disciplines including dance, music, debating, and drama. This new facility will also accommodate lectures and master classes for senior Sydney Girls High School students, while alleviating the strain on existing spaces during examinations.
Established in 2017, the SGHS Foundation plays a crucial role in promoting education at Sydney Girls High School. Its primary objective is to advance both curricular and extracurricular activities within the school, working in collaboration with the School, the Old Girls Union, and the SGHS P&C Association. The Foundation aims to secure new facilities and learning opportunities, ensuring that all students receive the necessary support to fully engage in school activities. As a company limited by guarantee, the Foundation consists of three Members: the SGHS Parents & Citizens (P&C) Association, the Sydney High School Old Girls Union (SHS OGU), and the School Principal. Up to nine Directors can be nominated, including representatives from the P&C and OGU, a nominee from the School Council, the School Principal, and three Directors nominated by themselves.
Accommodation
Although there is no accommodation provided by the school, homestay accommodation in Sydney offers a unique and immersive experience for international students or travelers seeking a home away from home. With a wide range of options available, homestay programs provide individuals with the opportunity to live with local Australian families, fostering cultural exchange and language development.
Sydney, being a vibrant and multicultural city, offers numerous homestay opportunities that cater to various preferences and budgets. Homestay fees in Sydney typically vary depending on factors such as location, amenities provided, and the duration of the stay. Prices generally range from $200 to $400 per week, with additional fees for extra services or special requests.
The homestay fees typically cover essential amenities like a private furnished room, meals (usually breakfast and dinner), utilities, and access to communal areas within the house. Some homestay providers also offer additional services such as airport transfers, laundry facilities, or internet access for an extra fee. It's essential to clarify these details with the chosen homestay provider to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the services included in the fees.
Future Prospects
Sydney Girls High School places great emphasis on providing students with comprehensive information regarding the school's expectations and assessment procedures throughout the academic year. Students are engaged in a series of formal assessments that span their entire schooling journey.
One such assessment is the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), which evaluates students' proficiency in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, punctuation, and grammar), and numeracy. Administered by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), these tests are conducted in May each year for students in Years 7 and 9. The results and student reports are made available in August, offering valuable insights into individual performance.
Another Sydney Girls High School assessment initiative is the Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID), an online diagnostic assessment focused on science. Students in Year 8 have the opportunity to participate in these assessments, with some schools also opting for them in Year 10. VALID serves as a valuable tool for gauging students' understanding and progress in scientific knowledge.
The pinnacle of academic achievement at Sydney Girls High School is the Higher School Certificate (HSC), a globally recognized qualification. Students who successfully complete Years 11 and 12 in NSW are eligible to receive the HSC, marking their successful culmination of secondary education.
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