Daily Telegraph’s Power 100: schools that produced Sydney’s most influential people

The Daily Telegraph’s Power 100 has revealed a significant proportion of Sydney’s most influential people were educated at NSW public high schools. See the full list here.

More than a third of this city’s most influential people were educated at NSW public high schools.

This is the standout finding from analysis of where The Daily Telegraph’s 2023 Sydney Power 100 did their secondary studies.

Experts say the result demonstrates the egalitarian nature of Australia.

Peter V’landys is the highest-ranked person to attend a public high school. The racing and rugby league supremo – who is at number four on this year’s list – went to Keira Boys High at North Wollongong and was noted hard-worker.

Scroll down to view the full Power 100 list

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb (five) also attended a comprehensive public school: Boorowa Central in the state’s southwest slopes. She chose to be sworn in on the steps of her old school last year. Former teachers have described her rise as an inspiration to current-day students.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb attended Boorowa Central.

Peter V’landys attended Keira Boys High. Picture: David Swift

Tesla chairwoman Robyn Denholm (17) was a student at Peakhurst High School, where she developed a love of maths and economics.

New state Treasurer Daniel Mookhey (22) – the second-highest debutant on this year’s list – went to Model Farms High School at Baulkham Hills then Girraween High, reportedly skipping PE classes for extra maths tutoring.

NSW Secondary Principals’ Council chairman Craig Petersen said the education backgrounds of the Sydney Power 100 provided further evidence “public schools achieve at least as good results in terms of student growth as any other schools in the state.

“In a lot of cases our public schools provide more improvement,” Mr Petersen said.

“A student with capability will do as well in their local public school as anywhere else.

Mr Petersen said the results “give you hope for the egalitarian nature of Australia.

“If you’ve got the capacity, you can succeed regardless of your family background or where you live,” he said.

The people ranked in the first three spots in this year’s list came through the Catholic system.

New number one, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, attended St Mary’s Cathedral College in central Sydney.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, who is ranked two this year, went to Marist College at Kogarah, which is the area he now represents in state parliament.

And Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe (three) was a student at Wagga Wagga’s St Michael’s Regional High School through year 10 before finishing his secondary studies at Trinity Senior High School; Mr Lowe was dux of both.

Among the big names in Sydney’s private education sector, Knox produced those ranked at seven (News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller), 29 (Venues NSW boss Rod McGeoch) and 41 (Immutable founders James and Robbie Ferguson).

Riverview alumni on the list are Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany (20), 2BG presenter Ben Fordham (36) and Racing Australia chairman John Messara (91) and .

Two went to Ascham (Macquarie Group CEO Shemara Wikramanayake and philanthropist Gretel Packer) and ditto Scots (Meriton MD Harry Triguboff and Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes).