Hollywood stars, sporting legends, political leaders, chart-topping musicians – meet the alumni of Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools
Hollywood A-listers, sporting legends, a royal queen and esteemed business leaders – these household names all attended public schools ranked in the nation’s top 100.
From A-list celebrities to sporting stars, these are the famous faces who attended Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools.
The top schools list was produced through exclusive analysis by News Corp, identifying the best public schools in the nation based on a range of criteria including academic results, attendance levels and student-teacher ratios.
And from these extraordinary schools emerged a host of renowned high-achievers.
Dive into the list to see if you shared classrooms, teachers and even toilets with some of Australia’s most recognised celebrities.
New South Wales
There were actors aplenty in NSW’s top-ranked public schools. With nearly half of all 100 spots, NSW’s public school system is a breeding ground of talent.
It’s difficult to look past the Hollywood A-listers, with Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts attending North Sydney Girls High School, Jacki Weaver a former Hornsby Girls High School student and Russell Crowe a Sydney Boys High School alumnus.
Sydney Boys was also host to former prime minister Scott Morrison, as well as legendary director George Miller and actors Jack Thompson and Simon Burke, cementing its place as a school that produces graduates who revel in the spotlight.
Olympians are also a prestigious product of the public school system, with kayaking gold medallist sisters Jess and Noemie Fox both former students at top 100 school Blaxland High, and the first female dual Olympian Jana Pittman a fifth-ranked Girraween High School alumna.
Australian Test cricketers were also products of the state school system, with Allan Border (North Sydney Boys High School), and Richie and John Benaud (Parramatta High School), attending top 100 schools.
Unsurprisingly, the nation’s number-one-ranked Conservatorium High School heralds alumni of the musical variety, with former Wiggle Sam Moran, The Presets DJ Kim Moyes and the late singer Jack Colwell all attending Con High.
Queensland
If NSW public schools are artsy, then Queensland’s are definitely sporty.
One public school outshone all the rest as the undisputed production line for sporting talent. Brisbane State High School had too many sports stars to list, with rugby legends of both codes proud alumni.
Testament to its sporting record are former students including undisputed rugby league legend Wally Lewis, former Australian Test captain Ian Healy and several capped Wallabies.
Channel 9 presenter Sylvia Jeffreys also attended State High.
Though not in the national top 100 list, high performing state school alumni include former tennis sensation Ash Barty (Woodcrest State College) and former PM Kevin Rudd (Nambour State College).
Wavell State High School educated sporting greats Greg Inglis and Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis, as well as Australia’s ultimate pop sisters The Veronicas.
Victoria
Victoria had a clear concentration of top-performing public schools, with select-entry all boys institution Melbourne High School a pipeline for talent.
Businessmen Ruslan Kogan, the founder of Kogan, and trucking magnate Lindsay Fox were both Melbourne High students.
The list of former and current AFL players is too long to detail, but includes Hall of Famers and Team of the Century players across many clubs.
Legendary Australian Test cricket all-rounder Keith Miller is also a former alumnus.
Select-entry all girls Melbourne Girls College and MacRobertson Girls High School claim talent of their own, including dual football/soccer star Brianna Davey, Miss Universe Australia winner Priya Serrao and actor and producer Isabella Giovinazzo.
Of course, some famous faces are known for all the wrong reasons, including mushroom cook triple-murderer Erin Patterson who attended University High School.
Actor Ruby Rose and former Victorian premier Joan Kirner were also students there.
South Australia
South Australian public schools can be thanked for a range of talent, including pop stars, footy players and political leaders.
Adelaide High School reflects the range of fame in the state, with Sia, long-serving state government minister Tom Koutsantonis and Adelaide Crows footballer Riley Thilthorpe all former students.
The state’s largest and top-ranked school, Glenunga International High School, taught a number of accomplished South Australians.
One of the nation’s best table tennis players, William Henzell, attended in the 1990s, as well as retired footballer Cameron Wood.
Schools in the state’s top 100 have also produced notable politicians, with Unley High School graduates including former PM Julia Gillard, former SA premier Dean Brown and current federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
Pollies aside, top 10-ranked The Heights School taught Channel 9 presenter Will McDonald and former footballers Heath Grundy and Matthew Wright.
Sporting academy Henley High School has had a number of AFL draftees including Crows Brodie Smith and Izak Rankine, Jack Lukosius who now plays for the Power, and three-time premiership player and Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake.
Tasmania and Northern Territory
While their schools didn’t make the national top 100 list, famous Tasmanians and Territorians also attended government schools in their region’s respective top 10 lists.
Queen Mary of Denmark attended Tasmania’s second-ranked school Taroona High School.
One of Australia’s greatest batsmen, Ricky Ponting, and AFL 300-gamer Alastair Lynch were educated in the state’s north at Brooks High School and Burnie High School respectively.
Pop stars Vassy and Timomatic were former Darwin High School students.
And former Northern Territory Senator and Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris is also a Dripstone Middle School alumna.
Want to share a public education success story with us? Email education@news.com.au
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Originally published as Hollywood stars, sporting legends, political leaders, chart-topping musicians – meet the alumni of Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools
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