Who’s who at Sydney’s top private schools: Movers, shakers and notable former students
Step into the world of Sydney’s most prestigious schools and get the lowdown on the most notable alumni at some of the state’s most elite institutions.
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Despite the rising cost of living, parents keep paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to educate their children at the state’s most elite and prestigious private schools.
The nation’s second-most expensive private school is elite all-girls institution Kambala in Rose Bay, with 2023 fees topping out at $46,300 and just $144 short per year of the most expensive school – Victoria’s Geelong Grammar.
It also costs north of $40,000 to attend SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Sydney Grammar School, The Scots College, The King’s School, Ascham and PLC Sydney.
But the investment appears to keep paying off for many of Sydney’s most powerful people, with private schools producing the education, the connections and the status often required to ascend to the c-suite, the boardroom, the parliament and the most senior leadership positions in the state and nation.
Read the who’s who of regional NSW’s private schools here.
Sydney’s city and east
Cranbrook School, Bellevue Hill
Cranbook School has been a nursery for some of Sydney’s most powerful businessmen – and soon it could be for businesswomen as well, with the school to become coeducation in 2026. The school has recently installed a new council after 10 of the previous 11 members walked off the job over an ongoing spat about the school’s co-ed future. The new councillors include Sydney Airports director Ari Droga and Moelis Australia managing director Amelia Hill.
Principal: Nicholas Sampson
2022 HSC ranking: 37
Famous alumni: Sydney Theatre Company director Kip Williams, Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes, Nine CEO David Gyngell, Crown chairman James Packer
The Scots College, Bellevue Hill
Having some of the priciest fees in Sydney has not diminished demand at the prestigious Scots College, though the school recently abandoned plans to increase its cap by some 400 students up to more than 1500. The school’s plans for a $10.6m upgrade have recently been approved, with new tennis courts on the cards.
Principal: Ian Lambert
2022 HSC ranking: 75
Famous alumni: Meriton property developer Harry Triguboff, former Sydney Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen, surgeon Charlie Teo, federal MP Andrew Hastie
St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney
Founded in 1885, St Andrew’s Cathedral School is located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. The school describes itself as a “strong and hopeful learning community” reflecting its Anglican foundations. The school has also implemented a new coaching and mentoring program for graduate teachers in their first year of employment. Early career teachers receive support from a more experienced teaching mentor to support them to take risks in their teaching and improve student outcomes.
Principal: Julie McGonigle
2022 HSC ranking: 157
Famous alumni: pianist Simon Tedeschi, netballer Chelsea Pitman, Olympic sailor Michael Page
St Catherine’s School, Waverley
St Catherine’s School Waverley is the nation’s oldest Anglican girls school, with more than 160 years in education. The institution describes itself as “a school for unique young women of character, ready to make their mark on the world”. The school ranked 13th in the state for the 2022 HSC, and represented one of only four non-selective schools ranked in the top 15. Several students ranked at the top of the state, including Gewa (Isabella) Lan who ranked first in the state in English as an additional language/dialect.
Principal: Judith Poole
2022 HSC ranking: 14
Famous alumni: the late Dame Joan Sutherland, Redkite CEO Monique Keighery, Australian Indigenous Education Foundation director Emily Hill, Diamonds netball star Gabi Simpson, Olympic water polo player Amy Ridge.
Waverley College, Waverley
Waverley College is a school in the Catholic Edmund Rice tradition. In 2010, the College welcomed its first lay headmaster, Ray Paxton. The school’s model now focuses on “liberating the potential of every learner.” The college recently made headlines when school leadership clamped down on “non-compliant” hairstyles including mullets. Parents were informed students with inappropriate hairstyles would be sent to a hairdresser at the school and invoiced $20 for the trim. If they did not comply, they would be sent home.
Principal: Graham Leddie
2022 HSC ranking: 137
Famous alumni: celebrity tradesman Scott Cam, Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis, rock-and-roller Johnny O’Keefe and Supreme Court Justice brother Barry O’Keefe, economist Peter Switzer, former Sydney Lord Mayor Nelson Meers, previous Governor-General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove, fantasy author John Flanagan, cross-code rugby star and Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Burke.
SCEGGS, Darlinghurst
SCEGGS Darlinghurst is among the nation’s most expensive private schools, with fees soaring above $40,000. The school says a SCEGGS girl will be “accomplished, competent and articulate, whose confidence and sense of self-worth allow her to make a significant contribution to the community”. The school made headlines in 2022 when they banned personal phone use during school hours, citing increased distraction particularly in the post-Covid return to school.
Principal: Jenny Allum
2022 HSC ranking: 11
Famous alumni: PR guru Roxy Jacenko, former High Court justice Virginia Bell, actor Claudia Karvan, director Gillian Armstrong, Bob Hawke’s widow Blanche d’Alpuget, Gough Whitlam’s wife Margaret Whitlam, actor Sarah Wynter, children’s author Ursula Dubosarsky, Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku’s daughter-in law Linda Jaku and great-granddaughter Lara.
St Vincent’s College, Darlinghurst
St Vincent College is the oldest Catholic girls school in NSW and the oldest registered girls school in Australia. It is an independent Roman Catholic school focusing on delivering a contemporary Catholic education. Some of Sydney’s most recognisable women were educated at St Vincent’s College. The school is currently proposing a significant expansion on its existing heritage site, with plans for a new multipurpose building, indoor pool and water polo facilities under consideration before being submitted to the City of Sydney.
Principal: Ray Martin
2022 HSC ranking: 46
Famous alumni: NSW MP Marjorie O’Neill, businesswoman Lara Worthington, news presenter Natarsha Belling
Reddam House, Woollahra
Reddam House describes itself as “a co-educational, non-denominational, independent school designed to inspire students to achieve their maximum potential in a nurturing, progressive academic environment”. A heritage-listed office building in North Sydney is set to be turned into a new high-rise independent school with a capacity of more than 1500 students by the owners of Reddam House in Woollahra and Bondi. The new school would be located in the Harry Seidler-designed eight-storey block, known as ‘Simsmetal House’, which will be adapted with facilities including classrooms, office areas and pick up and drop off points.Plans for the new school released this week show the new school would accommodate students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Principal: Dave Pitcairn
2022 HSC ranking: 5
Famous alumni: Olympian Tia Hinds
Kambala School, Rose Bay
Founded in 1887, Kambala is a independent Anglican day and boarding school overlooking Sydney Harbour. Kambala School is now one of the nation’s most expensive educational institutions, with fees topping $45,000. The school offers both the Higher School Certificate and the International Bacclaureate for students studying Years 11 and 12.
Principal: Jane Danvers
2022 HSC ranking: 15
Famous alumni: PR maven Roxy Jacenko, former ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie
Ascham School, Edgecliff
Ascham is the only school in Australia to use the Dalton Plan, which embraces the four key principles of independence, collaboration, responsibility and reflection to “inspire classroom learning and encourage a goal-oriented mindset”.
Principal: Andrew Powell
2022 HSC ranking: 19
Famous alumni: Wentworth ‘teal’ crossbencher Allegra Spender, Gretel Packer, TV personality and The Bachelor alumna Anna Heinrich, Kate Waterhouse – daughter of legendary horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, Macquarie Group CEO Shemara Wikramanayake, journalist Sharri Markson, sexual assault and consent campaigner Chanel Contos, widowed socialite Skye Leckie, cleaning company heiress Lou O’Neil and sister Simmie Hay, poultry heiress Tamie Ingham, A Place to Call Home actor Marta Dusseldorp, University of Sydney Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson.
Sydney Grammar School, Darlinghurst
Sydney Grammar School is the kingmaker, with three Prime Ministers in an illustrious list of alumni – most recently, Malcolm Turnbull, and before that Sir William McMahon and Australia’s first PM, Sir Edmund Barton.
Principal: Richard Malpass
2022 HSC ranking: 6
Famous alumni: Malcolm Turnbull, Sir William McMahon, and Australia’s first PM Sir Edmund Barton. Current Sydney MP Alex Greenwich attended the school. David Gonski, whose name is usually associated with fairness in funding for public schools, was (somewhat ironically) a student. Other notable names include iconic poet Banjo Patterson, tech entrepreneur and ‘crypto king’ Fred Schebesta, Olympic swimming champion Andrew (Boy) Charlton and recently retired Chief Justice of the Federal Court James Allsop.
Kincoppal Rose Bay School, Vaucluse
Kincoppal Rose Bay is a 140-year-old school which offers single-sex education for girls in the secondary school and is coeducational in the primary school. It is part of the International Sacred Heart Education Network.
Principal: Erica Thomas
2022 HSC ranking: 42
Famous alumni: Princess Michael of Kent, television personality Samantha Armytage, former Lord Mayor Lucy Turnbull, horse trainer Gai Waterhouse
Sydney’s north
St Ignatius’ College, Riverview
St Ignatius College’s mission is to “provide a holistic Catholic education for boys that inspires them to a lifelong development of their faith”. Residents near Riverview – long a nursery for powerful leaders and high profile people – were recently outraged by the school’s decision to close its campus during term, blocking access to harbourside trails and a private ferry wharf used for water taxi access outside of school holidays. The school cited concerns about enforcing a child-safe environment when the policy change was implemented.
Principal: Paul Hine
2022 HSC ranking: 44
Famous alumni: former prime minister Tony Abbott, deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher, breakfast radio host Ben Fordham, troubled ex-TV presenter Andrew O’Keefe, Rüfüs Du Sol bandmates Tyrone Lindqvist and James Hunt, Sydney Kings player Jordan Hunter, ABC news director Justin Stevens
St Aloysius’ College, Kirribilli
Since 1879, St Aloysius’ College has upheld the Catholic Ignatian tradition, placing emphasis on “educating boys to become young men of competence, conscience and compassionate commitment”. The north shore Catholic college has recently splashed out more than $1m on a heritage terrace building dating back to the 1890s, with hopes of adapting the building for IT and administrative facilities. The school also has plans for a new campus in Rozelle for 200 students.
Principal: Mark Tannock
2022 HSC ranking: 16
Famous alumni: comedian and artist Anh Do, television presenter Danny Clayton, radio host Adam Spencer, rugby player Bernard Foley
Barker College, Hornsby
Barker College has occupied its Hornsby premises since 1895 and first began transitioning from single sex education for boys to coeducational settings in 1975. The school is currently advancing $121m plans for a substantial redevelopment, drawing the ire of other nearby schools due to concerns about traffic congestion. The plans include a an indoor swimming pool, rooftop tennis courts, a performing arts building and an exams centre, and an increased enrolment cap of 2850.
Principal: Phillip Heath
2022 HSC ranking: 51
Famous alumni: author Rosie Waterland, comedian and actor Chris Lilley, Midnight Oil legend and former federal MP Peter Garrett
Queenwood School for Girls, Mosman
For more than 90 years, elite girls school Queenwood has focused on single sex education – citing research that girls in single-sex schools achieve better results and sustain high aspirations for careers and further study. The school recently attracted attention when it banned all students from participating in AFLWdue to concerns of long-term brain injuries. Among those who criticised the decision was former student and now AFLW player Nicola Barr.
Principal: Elizabeth Stone
2022 HSC ranking: 22
Famous alumni: federal MP and former Winter Olympian Zali Steggall
Ravenswood School for Girls, Gordon
Ravenswood is a Uniting Church day and boarding school for students from Prep to Year 12 which “aims to equip and inspire girls to participate in and contribute to our evolving global society”. The International Bacclaureate does not release student rankings – but four Ravenswood students attained the top score of 45 from 45 in 2022. The result broke the school’s own record for highest number of “perfect” IB scores in a single cohort.
Principal: Anne Johnstone
2022 HSC ranking: 43
Famous alumni: journalist Julia Baird, television presenter Gretel Killeen, actor Tammin Sursok
Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
The history of Knox formally began in 1924 when it opened as a Presbyterian boys school. The school says it seeks to develop students within a caring Christian environment who exhibit faith, wisdom, integrity, compassion and courage.
Principal: Scott James
2022 HSC ranking: 29
Famous alumni: Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and his brother, Federal Court Justice Ian Jackman, British actor Hugo Weaving, musical star Adam Garcia, Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson, Wallabies Steve Cutler and Nathan Charles, former radio host and Gotcha4Life founder Gus Worland, former prime minister Gough Whitlam, test cricketer Matthew Nicholson, Thirsty Merc frontman Rai Thistlethwayte, radio’s ‘golden voice’ John Laws, University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott, Australia’s Ambassador to Turkey Miles Armitage.
Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga
Prestigious girls school Abbotsleigh says it seeks to empower our girls to serve and inspire the community and become strong global citizens and courageous, socially responsible leaders”. In 2022, the school waived its $34,000 school fees for refugee students fleeing war-torn Ukraine. The school attracts both weekly boarders from Sydney’s suburbs and full-time boarders from regional Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Malaysia and China.
Principal: Megan Krimmer
2022 HSC ranking: 8
Famous alumni: television presenter Edwina Bartholomew, actor Georgie Parker
Shore School, North Sydney
Shore was founded in 1889. The school states its desire for students to be “inclusive, invitational, relevant and thoughtful” in their pursuit of achieving their goals both at school and in their life after school. Former St Andrew’s Cathedral principal John Collier took the reins at Shore School in mid-2022, following the departure of former principal Tim Petterson and a letter to parents advising the school needed a “new leadership approach”.
Principal: John Collier
2022 HSC ranking: 38
Famous alumni: Seven West Media CEO James Warburton, gambling personality Tom Waterhouse, NSW MP Rob Stokes
Wenona School, North Sydney
In 1886, 20-year-old Edith Hooke opened Wenona’s precursor, Woodstock as an alternative to “dame schools” which prepared girls for marriage. Students were instead taught languages, science and sport. Current headmistress Briony Scott has stated her intention to educate “Renaissance women” at Wenona. The school is also currently fighting off plans for a new independent school – proposed by the group behind Reddam House in Sydney’s east – which would be located just 220m from its school gates. The school has raised multiple objections to a proposed new 1560-student coeducational campus, questioning whether there is demand for another school in the suburb.
Principal: Briony Scott
2022 HSC ranking: 26
Famous alumni: former Federal Court judge Annabelle Bennett
The Hills Grammar School, Kenthurst
The Hills Grammar School was founded in 1982 as an independent, intentionally coeducational school for children from Pre-K to Year 12. The school’s year groups are “intentionally small”, to ensure that each child is known for their unique abilities. The school recently lodged development plans, valued at just under $3m, for a revamp of an existing two-storey building, the ‘Booth Centre’, and an upgrade of the school’s synthetic sports fields.
Principal: Karen Yager
2022 HSC ranking: 52
Famous alumni: singer Delta Goodrem, actors and directors Joel and Nash Edgerton, journalist Robert Ovadia, Olympic athlete Michelle Jenneke
Pymble Ladies College, Pymble
Pymble Ladies College opened in 1913. The school aims build the students’ academic, emotional, digital and social intelligence, with core values affirming the school’s commitment to its Christian heritage identity as a Uniting Church school in Australia. The school’s students are taking a curious and proactive approach to new technologies. Students using AI is actively encouraged, and students create study plans in ChatGPT, analyse generated essays for inaccuracies and bias, and use chatbots as “study buddies”.
Principal: Kate Hadwen
2022 HSC ranking: 21
Famous alumni: Channel 7 presenter and ex-Sunrise host Melissa Doyle, cricket superstar Ellyse Perry, aerial skier Danielle Scott, actor Jacqueline McKenzie, Olympic showjumper Edwina Tops-Alexander, rugby union gold medallist Chloe Dalton, celebrity nutritionist Sarah Di Lorenzo.
Oakhill College, Castle Hill
Oakhill College is an independent Catholic coeducational secondary school in Castle Hill. The school is known for turning out top NRL players – and NRL player Ryan Papenhuyzen went through high school at Oakhill College being taught by former Jillaroos captain and legend of women’s rugby league Tarsha Gale. The high school teacher-turned commentator was the first female to teach physical education at Oakhill College more than two decades ago and taught both Papenhuyzen and Roosters star Luke Keary.
Principal: Steve Hogan
2022 HSC ranking: 142
Famous alumni: You Am I musician Tim Rogers, Australian painter Ben Quilty, television presenter Tara Rushton, NRL players Luke Keary and Ryan Papenhuyzen
SCEGGS Redlands, Cremorne
Redlands has been an institution of education for almost 140 years, and currently educates students from more than 30 countries. Redlands invokes Harvard University’s Teaching for Understanding and Cultures of Thinking research in its Redlands Learning Platform, encouraging students to “apply knowledge and understanding to problems and situations not previously experienced”.
Principal: Sean Corcoran
2022 HSC ranking: 184
Famous alumni: actor Charlotte Best, television presenter Sophie Falkiner, former ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Helen Murrell
Loreto, Normanhurst
Loreto Normanhurst is an ndependent, Catholic day and boarding school which belongs to the 400-year old Loreto Sisters girls education network, also known as the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Loreto Normanhurst recently criticised “draconian” bans on the use of Open AI’s research and writing tool ChatGPT, blocked by the NSW, Victorian, Queensland and Tasmanian education departments due to concerns state school students will use it to cheat or access inappropriate content. Director of learning Kieryn Bateman recently told The Australian teachers would use AI to assist with assessment creation.
Principal: Marina Ugonotti
2022 HSC ranking: 49
Famous alumni: entertainer Monica Trapaga, actor Jessica McNamee, Commonwealth Bank director Catherine Livingstone, senior counsel Kate Eastman
Loreto, Kirribilli
Loreto Kirribilli has implemented the LK Connect Mentoring & Networking Program for the past four years, which connects ex-student talent and expertise with students before they embark on their future careers. The program includes a series of networking events and a mentoring program.
Principal: Anna Dickinson
2022 HSC ranking: 13
Famous alumni: Lord Mayor Clover Moore, actor Isabel Durant, actor Phoebe Tonkin, actor Eliza Scanlen, former Miss Universe Francesca Hung
St Augustine’s College, Brookvale
St Augustine’s College describes itself as the fourth-ranked Catholic school for boys in NSW. The school upholds the Augustinian values of truth, love and community to focus and unite staff, parents and students. Demand for St Augustine’s College is such that the elite school recently admitted to having some 300 students more than their 1200 cap. The school is now seeking an increased cap of 1600 as part of a bid to expand the school, with open air car parks among the plans.
Principal: Jonathan Byrne
2022 HSC ranking: 78
Famous alumni: doctor and television presenter Andrew Rochford, sprint champion and Sunrise host Matt Shirvington
Redfield College, Dural
Redfield College is an independent Catholic boys’ school, founded in 1986 by a group of parents and teachers. Redfield College was ranked fourth among those in the Hills in the 2022 HSC results. The Year 12 Student Leadership Team recently held a charity event in support of mental health charity Beyond Blue, with a gold coin mufti day generating more than $870.
Principal: Matthew Aldous
2022 HSC ranking: 131
Famous alumni: former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, actor Tim Pocock, rugby player Bernard Foley
St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
St Joseph’s – commonly known as Joeys – is Australia’s largest boarding school for boys. It is a Catholic school in the Marist tradition. The school states its core values are “humility, simplicity, modesty, family, mateship, authenticity and egalitarianism” with an inclusive culture that applies to day students and boarders alike.
Principal: Michael Blake
2022 HSC ranking: 89
Famous alumni: blue Wiggle Anthony Field, comedian Tom Gleeson, Northern Territory CHief Justice Michael Grant, rugby player Tom Wright
Sydney’s inner west and west
Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill
Inner west boys school Trinity Grammar describes itself as a school founded on an Anglican ethos that seeks “to ensure that every boy is individually known, cared for and guided to grow in mind, body and spirit”. The school has sought to formally increase its student cap to 1655 – the number of students they already have enrolled, above the 1500 cap. The International Bacclaureate does not release student rankings – but four Trinity students attained the top score of 45 from 45 in 2022.
Principal: Tim Bowden
2022 HSC ranking: 290
Famous alumni: WIN TV and St George Illawarra Dragons chairman Andrew Gordon, actor Luke Cook, Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning middle distance runner Oliver Hoare
Meriden School, Strathfield
Meriden was founded in 1897. The school aims “to provide girls with opportunities to thrive, and to channel their curiosity, talent and convictions in ways that will help them live with spirit, purpose and kindness”. In recent months planners for Meriden School unveiled a $52.3 million plan to see an ambitious expansion for its senior campus, which would see the construction of a new high-quality Design and Creative Arts building, as well as a new research and collaborative learning space for Social Science and new administrative areas.
Principal: Lisa Brown
2022 HSC ranking: 18
Famous alumni: federal MP Anne Aly, former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, actor and comedian Natalie Tran
MLC School, Burwood
MLC School is an independent, non-selective Uniting Church school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 which aims to support students to focus on their individual, personal and academic growth. Despite the frustrations of lockdowns affecting students across the state, in 2021 MLC set a NSW record when 10 of its 49 International Bacclaureate students achieved a perfect score of 45.
Principal: Lisa Moloney
2022 HSC ranking: 47
Famous alumni: Liberal senator Marise Payne, late musician Renee Geyer
Newington College, Stanmore
Newington College was founded in 1863 in response to the Wesleyan Methodist Church’s interest in an institution higher than elementary school for Sydney. In late 2022, the elite Newington College was in such high demand, the $36,000 a year school told parents wishing to enrol their children in Year 5 and Year 7 there was practically no chance because they are currently full – meaning it could be until 2026 before parents can apply for entry.
Principal: Michael Parker
2022 HSC ranking: 130
Famous alumni: restaurateur Neil Perry, superstar boxer Tim Tszyu and brother Nikita, late media heavyweight David Leckie (former chief executive of the Nine and Seven Networks), NSW Blues and Rabbitohs player Cameron Murray, Wallabies Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa, former North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman, professional basketballer Nick Kay, Burger Head co-founder Tim Rosenstrauss
The King’s School, Parramatta
The King’s School describes itself as a “unique place of learning that deeply honours its almost 200-year history of educating boys, while also reframing the future by developing quality young men”. In January, The King’s School was ordered to halt a construction project at the headmaster’s residence, after the state’s regulatory body found a proposed private plunge pool for the principal and his wife would be an illegitimate use of the school’s money. The school charges $41,000 a year per student.
Principal: Tony George
2022 HSC ranking: 30
Famous alumni: former NSW Premier Mike Baird, senior counsel Bret Walker, federal MP Jerome Laxale, rugby league players Joseph Suaalii and Will Penisini
Tara Anglican School, Parramatta
Non-selective Anglican girls day and boarding school Tara Anglican School describes itself as describes itself as an institution that “nurtures its students academically while offering extensive cocurricular opportunities in sport, performing and creative arts and service”. The school was the sixth-best performing school in Sydney’s west for Year 9 students in the NAPLAN testing for 2022.
Principal: Sue Middlebrook
2022 HSC ranking: 32
Famous alumni: actor Rebel Wilson, senior counsel Jane Needham
PLC Sydney, Croydon
Founded in 1888, PLC was the first school in NSW to be established by the Presbyterian Church. PLC Croydon has implemented the Sydney’s Women in Enterprise venture with great success, providing Business Studies students the opportunity to develop network connections with female entrepreneurs working in business and finance. The Year 9 and 10 Enterprise elective guides students to start their own business, design and manufacture, and then market and sell their products.
Principal: Paul Burgis
2022 HSC ranking: 33
Famous alumni: film critic Margaret Pomeranz, former Supreme Court Justice Carolyn Simpson
Sydney’s south and southwest
Inaburra School, Bangor
Since its beginning in the early 1980s, Inaburra School describes itself as a “community in which every individual is known and loved, and where every student is valued as a person made in the image of God”. Each fortnight, Inaburra School hosts a Philosophy and Theology Forum, where students benefit from a variety of speakers from different religious and philosophical backgrounds, cultures and professions to expand and challenge their thinking and ideas of the world.
Principal: James Pietsch
2022 HSC ranking: 154
Famous alumni: singer songwriter Matt Corby, MasterChef judge Melissa Leong, Olympic sprinter Rohan Browning
Danebank Anglican School for Girls, Hurstville
Danebank Anglican School describes itself as an “inspiring and engaging Christian learning community with an abiding commitment to excellence in thinking, learning and care”. In 2022, two Danebank students scored an ATAR above 99, placing them in the top one per cent nationally. Three students achieved All Rounders Awards, and Danebank was also the top performing non-selective school in St George and the Sutherland Shire.
Principal: Emma Burgess
2022 HSC ranking: 60
Famous alumni: former NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant, Paralympian Nicole Harris
St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown
St Greg’s is a Catholic school in the Marist tradition which seeks to “contribute to the development of agile, capable and healthy young men who are ready to take their place in a dynamic world”. In April 2023, 32 St Greg’s students and four staff embarked on a rugby league and rugby union tour of New Zealand’s South Island – the first of its kind in the college’s history, with two league and two union fixtures across eight days.
Principal: Matt Brennan
2022 HSC ranking: 267
Famous alumni: Australian Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell, NSW Origin fullback James Tedesco, Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, rugby league coach Trent Robinson
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