Why choose us?

Inner Sydney High School is a Year 7 to Year 12, Comprehensive, Coed Secondary School in Surry Hills. We are proud to be part of a strong public education system and welcome students from all backgrounds and cultures.

At Inner Sydney High School, we embrace the best of contemporary learning practice to ensure our students are well prepared for the real world and have the tools to achieve personal excellence. This means that lessons are designed for deep learning and to develop general capabilities such as collaboration, communication and critical and creative thinking as well as the skills, content and understanding of each Key Learning Area.

Our teaching environment is flexible and adaptive with learning spaces and furniture that is purpose built and able to be adjusted for the delivery of different lessons. Our school design allows for purposeful movement and the delivery of lessons allows for flexible modes of delivery. Students are taught the protocols for using these spaces effectively.

Our vision

Within a diverse, inner city community, Inner Sydney High School is a world class education facility where students are known, valued and cared for. Students and teachers, as agile, innovative and reflective learners will be supported by parents and key stakeholders to maximise potential for future success and wellbeing. Inner Sydney High School will be a centre of excellence for contemporary learning, providing high quality learning opportunities in flexible learning spaces for students and teachers to collaborate and thrive in a sustainable, stimulating environment.

Respect

At the heart of the school is community and the essence of this is respect and teamwork. Positive communication with each other encourages a sense of belonging and feeling safe and valued within the school. Our integrity means that we stay true to our best selves. The pride with how we wear our uniform and how we hold ourselves reflects the high value we place on being a member of the community at Inner Sydney High School.

Kindness

If we can be anything in the world…be kind. Positive Education underpins our Inspired Learning framework in our everyday school life. Our ability to express kindness and compassion to self leads us to extend these feelings to people within our community. Gratitude and mindfulness build positive relationships, mental wellbeing and resilience.

Excellence

We believe that each and every one of our students has the ability to achieve personal excellence within the framework of support provided in Inner Sydney High School. Our students are curious and use their critical thinking skills to seek answers to questions that may at first appear difficult. They are not afraid to experiment and draw upon tools and strategies that will enable them to shine.

Why families choose us

What we can offer your child

• participation in a range of competitions
• success in life beyond school

• active community members
• growth through high potential and gifted education

• striving for personal improvement
• excursions

• incursions

• extra-curricular activities

• a wide variety of subjects
• student learning support officers (SLSO) in the classroom
• teaching and learning adjustments
• extension activities for students who need extra challenge
• wellbeing and counselling support.

Our learning approach

Our school uses explicit teaching. This means we clearly tell students what they are learning, why it is important and how to do it step by step. Explicit teaching helps students understand new ideas by breaking them into smaller parts.

Learning at our school is student-centred, inclusive and practical. We are committed to equity and access. We support all learning styles and needs. Our teachers use proven teaching strategies. They take part in ongoing professional development to stay up to date with best teaching practice.

Our learning approach includes:

• real-world learning: hands-on tasks, group work and exploring new ideas
• technology: to help students learn and build digital skills
• flexible teaching: the right support for each student, with a focus on wellbeing
• community connections: through excursions and local programs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the school’s educational principles?

Inner Sydney High School’s architectural design has been developed around the following Educational Principles:

• facilities that are readily accessible and flexible to meet the demands of an evolving curriculum, in line with innovative learning space principles
• flexible and well-connected teaching and learning spaces that enable a variety of teaching and learning practices
• spaces that are engaging and supportive for students and teachers
• technology-rich settings with emphasis on mobility and flexibility
• healthy and environmentally sustainable learning spaces
• innovative, connected outdoor spaces that allow for play and collaborative learning.