Sydney Girls High School: Entry Guide, HSC Results & How to Get In

Sydney Girls High School (Surry Hills, Sydney) is NSW's oldest state girls' school (est. 1883) and a fully selective school. Entry is via the NSW Selective Placement Test — no published cut-off scores. ~150 Year 7 places available annually.

Quick Answer: How to Get Into Sydney Girls High School

Sydney Girls High School is a fully selective girls-only school in Surry Hills, NSW, established in 1883. Entry is solely through the NSW selective test, with approximately 150 Year 7 places available each year. There is no published cut-off score, but successful candidates typically perform in the top 15–20% across all four test components: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing. Sydney Girls ranks around 10th among selective high schools NSW for entry competition. Historical entry scores of approximately 218/300 (73%) have been competitive. Effective selective test preparation should begin 5–7 months before the March test, focusing on consistent performance across all components. The school's HSC ranking has ranged from #5 to #20 in recent years, with 43.1% Band 6 rate in 2024.

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Sydney Girls High School at a Glance

Sydney Girls High School holds the distinction of being NSW's oldest state girls' school, established in 1883. With a heritage of producing pioneering women in medicine, law, and public service, the school combines rich tradition with modern academic excellence.

Sydney Girls Quick Facts

Current statistics

#17

HSC RankingNSW state ranking (2024)

150

Year 7 PlacesAvailable annually

1883

EstablishedOldest state girls' school

43.1%

Band 6 Rate2024 HSC results

Sydney Girls Entry Guide

Navigate to any section

1. About Sydney Girls
2. Why Choose This School
3. HSC Performance
4. Entry & Competition
5. Preference Strategy
6. FAQs

This guide covers entry requirements, HSC outcomes, and preparation via our selective school preparation hub, NSW Selective test format guide, preparation strategies, Selective Ultimate Pack, sample reasoning paper, and free mock tests.

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About Sydney Girls High School

Essential information

School Profile

Attribute	Details
Official Name	Sydney Girls High School
Location	Corner of Anzac Parade & Cleveland Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Established	1883
Type	Fully Selective, Girls Only
Year 7 Intake	150 students
Total Enrolment	Approximately 920 students
Website	sydneygirl-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

A Legacy of Pioneering Women

Sydney Girls has produced extraordinary alumni who broke barriers across fields:

• Dr Iza Coghlan - First female medicine graduate in NSW
• Ada Evans - First female law graduate in Australia
• Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO - Former Governor of NSW
• Justice Virginia Bell AC - High Court of Australia Justice
• Generations of leaders in medicine, law, science, politics, and the arts

The school's motto "Honour Before Honours" reflects its emphasis on character alongside academic achievement.

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Why Choose Sydney Girls

Historic Prestige & Modern Facilities

Sydney Girls combines 140+ years of tradition with modern educational facilities.

Empowering Young Women

What Sets Sydney Girls Apart

• **Oldest state girls' school in NSW** - unmatched heritage and tradition

• **Pioneering alumni network** - connections to leaders across professions

• **Strong STEM programs** - encouraging women in science and technology

• **Inner city location** - accessible from across Sydney

• **Close proximity to Sydney Boys** - shared facilities and some activities

Location Advantage

Sydney Girls' inner-city location offers unique benefits:

• Walking distance from Central Station
• Access to cultural institutions (museums, galleries, universities)
• CBD proximity for work experience and industry connections
• Easy access from Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, and South Sydney

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HSC Performance

Sydney Girls' HSC results have shown some variation in recent years, with particularly strong performance in 2021.

Based on Better Education data

Sydney Girls HSC Rankings (Recent Years)

Year	State Rank	Band 6 Rate	Notable Achievement
2024	#17 in NSW	43.1%	19 All-Rounders
2023	#20 in NSW	38.0%	Consistent results
2022	#16 in NSW	40.7%	Solid performance
2021	#5 in NSW	53.2%	Exceptional year

Recent Highlights

• 19 All-Rounders achieved Band 6 in 10+ units (2024)
• Highest ATAR: 99.95 (Nikita Badve, Vice Captain)
• Strong performance across humanities and sciences
• Multiple students gaining entry to medicine and law

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Entry & Competition Level

High Competition Among Selective High Schools NSW

Sydney Girls is highly competitive for entry, typically ranking around 10th among selective high schools NSW for entry difficulty. Understanding selective school cut off scores trends and the NSW selective test process is essential for families targeting this school.

Competition Reality

What you're up against

150

Places AvailableYear 7 intake

~10th

Entry CompetitionAmong selective schools

~218

Historical ScoreOut of 300 (2021 data)

Top 15-20%

Target BandFor competitive candidacy

Profile of Successful Applicants

What Successful Sydney Girls Applicants Demonstrate

• Strong, consistent performance across all four test components

• Excellent reading comprehension and writing skills

• Good logical reasoning abilities

• Interest in a girls-only educational environment

• Often strong interest in humanities alongside STEM

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Preference Strategy for Sydney Girls

Should Sydney Girls Be Your First Preference?

Sydney Girls should be Preference 1 if:

• Your daughter consistently scores in Top 15-20% across practice tests
• You prefer a girls-only educational environment
• The Surry Hills / CBD location is convenient for your family
• The school's historic prestige and alumni network appeal to you

Recommended Backup Preferences

Based on competition level and preferences

Strategic Backup Schools

School	Why Consider	Competition Level
North Sydney Girls High School	Girls only, higher HSC ranking, strong music	Very High	Consider as Pref 1
Hornsby Girls High School	Girls only, top 2024 results, Northern Sydney	High	Preference 2
Fort Street High School	Co-ed, Inner West, historic school	Competitive	Preference 2/3
Baulkham Hills High School	Co-ed alternative if flexible on gender	Very High	Preference 2

Geographic Considerations

Sydney Girls is located in Surry Hills, adjacent to Moore Park:

• Central Station within walking distance
• Multiple bus routes along Cleveland Street and Anzac Parade
• Light Rail accessible
• Convenient for Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, South Sydney

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FAQ

How does Sydney Girls compare to North Sydney Girls?

Both are prestigious girls-only selective schools:

• Sydney Girls: Older (1883 vs 1914), inner city location, stronger heritage/tradition
• North Sydney Girls: Higher recent HSC rankings, outstanding music program, North Shore location Recent HSC results slightly favour North Sydney Girls, but both are excellent choices.

Is there a connection with Sydney Boys High School?

Yes, Sydney Girls and Sydney Boys share:

• Governors Centre - modern facility opened 2021
• Proximity (both near Moore Park)
• Some joint events and activities
• Similar school traditions and culture

However, they remain separate schools with separate admissions.

What makes Sydney Girls' heritage significant?

As NSW's oldest state girls' school, Sydney Girls has:

• 140+ years of educating young women
• Alumni who broke barriers (first female doctors, lawyers, judges)
• Historic buildings with character
• Traditions that connect current students to pioneering past

What ATAR results do Sydney Girls students typically achieve?

While the school doesn't publish detailed ATAR statistics, based on the Band 6 rate of 43.1% in 2024:

• Top students achieve 99.95 ATAR
• Strong representation in 90+ ATAR range
• Excellent university placement rates

What extracurricular activities are available?

Sydney Girls offers:

• Music ensembles and performances
• Sport (competing at zone and state levels)
• Debating and public speaking
• Drama and arts programs
• STEM clubs and academic competitions
• Community service initiatives

What score do you need to get into Sydney Girls High School?

NSW Education does not publish selective school cut off scores for any school, including Sydney Girls High School. The placement system ranks students based on their composite performance across all four components of the NSW selective test and matches them to their stated school preferences. Historical data suggests that a score of approximately 218 out of 300 (73%) has been competitive for Sydney Girls entry. However, this threshold shifts each year based on the number and quality of applicants. The best strategy is to focus on maximising consistent performance across Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing rather than targeting a specific number.

Is Sydney Girls harder to get into than North Sydney Girls?

North Sydney Girls and Sydney Girls High School are both highly competitive girls selective school NSW options, but they differ in entry difficulty. North Sydney Girls has consistently achieved higher HSC rankings in recent years (often top 5–10 statewide) and tends to attract slightly more competitive applicants. Sydney Girls typically ranks around 10th among selective schools for entry difficulty, while North Sydney Girls ranks around 5th–7th. The choice between them should also factor in location (Crows Nest vs Surry Hills), school culture, specific programs (North Sydney Girls is known for exceptional music), and commute practicality.

What are the selective high schools for girls in NSW?

NSW offers several girls selective school NSW options across Sydney. The fully selective girls-only schools include Sydney Girls High School (Surry Hills), North Sydney Girls High School (Crows Nest), and Hornsby Girls High School (Hornsby). Several co-educational selective schools also accept girls, including James Ruse Agricultural High School, Baulkham Hills High School, Fort Street High School, and Penrith High School. In total, there are 47 selective high schools NSW wide. Girls should consider both girls-only and co-educational options when finalising their preference list. See our NSW selective schools directory for the complete list.

Does Sydney Girls High School have a music program?

Yes, Sydney Girls offers music ensembles and performance opportunities, though it is not specifically known as a specialist music school. Students can participate in various ensembles, school concerts, and inter-school music events. If music is a primary consideration, North Sydney Girls High School has a nationally recognised music program with a dedicated auditioned music stream and outstanding orchestral and choral programs. Sydney Girls' strength lies more in its well-rounded approach, combining strong academics with diverse extracurricular opportunities including music, sport, debating, and STEM programs.

How should I prepare my daughter for the Sydney Girls selective test?

Effective selective test preparation for Sydney Girls follows the same structured approach as preparation for any selective high schools NSW. Begin 5–7 months before the March test with a diagnostic assessment across all four components. Establish daily practice of 45–60 minutes, focusing on Reading comprehension (especially inference questions), Mathematical Reasoning (mental arithmetic and word problems), Thinking Skills (logical reasoning and pattern recognition), and Writing (including building typing speed to 35+ words per minute). Complete weekly mock tests under timed conditions. Pay particular attention to consistency — Sydney Girls values strong, balanced performance across all areas. Our Selective School Preparation Program offers comprehensive support tailored to aspiring selective school students.

Structured selective test practice across all four components — Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills, and Writing.

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