With over 30 years of teaching experience, 20 of them specialising in gifted education in non-selective and selective schools both in the UK and Australia, it is my firm belief that the selective school environment is best suited to meet the academic and social needs of highly gifted students.
It is my honour to be the twelfth Principal of Sydney Girls High School. My goals are to ensure that our school remains as a leader in gifted education and that we are the school of choice for families with highly gifted daughters across Sydney. I very much look forward to working with the school community to achieve them.
At Sydney Girls High School, we are proud of our long history of educating young women which we have been doing since 1883. As the oldest state girls’ school in NSW, we continually celebrate those students and members of staff who have gone before us. Notable ex- students have gone on to achieve, and indeed been pioneers, in all areas of society: politics, public service and law, medicine and science, entertainment, media and the arts and sport. Our continued, strong relationship with the Old Girls Union and broader alumnae supports the students and staff of today.
By focussing on programs that develop girls’ academic, leadership and all roundedness, we aim to further the development of future generations of successful women.
As a selective high school, we are best placed to support highly gifted learners. We provide programs that evidence- based research proves to be best practice in gifted education. To that end, we offer enrichment and extension from Year 7 -12 as well as accelerated opportunities in mathematics, a wide range of academic and non-academic competitions and an extensive co-curricular program. Furthermore, we seek to ensure that our wellbeing programs cater specifically for highly gifted young women. Our students are taught and nurtured by teachers who have the expertise and experience in working with highly gifted students. At Sydney Girls High School your child will be surrounded by other highly gifted students, and they will therefore benefit from spending time with peers who understand them and who will motivate them to reach their personal best in all aspects of school life.
We are well known for our debating and public speaking program, but our school boasts a strong and inclusive co-curricular program with a multitude of clubs and societies and sports. Students can sign up to be involved in diverse activities ranging from robotics to chess and mock trial to film crew and includes an opportunity to join the cadet unit which runs at Sydney Boys High School. Our well-established performing arts program includes several bands and ensembles as well as regular dramatic performances including the biennial musical, making good use of The Governors Centre. We offer a range of sports from hockey to netball and water polo to volleyball and including rowing undertaken at our Margaret Varady Rowing Facility in Gladesville.
Our school has a proud tradition of social justice, charitable acts and volunteering. During World War I students knitted socks for soldiers and today knitted blankets are donated to Wrap with Love. Our students are encouraged to volunteer their time and raise money for charitable organisations such as Stewart House, Heart of the Nation, the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and Share the Dignity.
Student voice and leadership opportunities are highly valued and actively facilitated at our school through the Student Representative Council, the Prefect Body and the Co-Curricular Council. The Award Scheme supports students to achieve their personal best in all areas of school life and students are encouraged to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Scheme.
Originally established in the CBD, where David Jones now resides, our school moved to its current location at Moore Park in 1921 where, today, it is easily accessed via the light rail from Central Station or by bus or car by Anzac parade or Cleveland Street. Situated in beautifully maintained grounds, the school seamlessly blends the historic foundations with the more modern buildings. Recent upgrades to the school facilities include The Governors Centre, newly renovated kitchen facilities, security fencing and gates, and a Library refurbishment as well as restoration of the main entrance and Campbell Hall.
I understand that if you have a highly gifted child then the decision about which high school to send them to can be a difficult one. If you are undecided, then I encourage you contact the school to arrange a visit where I would like to give you an opportunity to talk with me about the education your daughter would receive as a student at Sydney Girls High School.
Principal
Rachel Powell