Sydney Grammar School was established by an Act of Parliament in 1854 and accepts boys of any religious belief. Graduates can pursue higher studies at any Australian university.
Each boy at SGS chooses his own path through Grammar school. We offer an impressive range of academic and extra-curricular activities.
The Grammar Experience
Sydney Grammar School stands as an iconic landmark in Sydney’s centre alongside Australian Museum and St Mary’s Cathedral, known for inspiring each boy to reach his maximum potential and excel academically. Their post-enlightenment, pre-vocational approach ensures learning achieves significance beyond any syllabus or examination.
During Tutorial periods, boys’ Tutors encourage discussion amongst their students on matters of local and global significance, ethical or moral concern, and general cultural interest. Such discussions take many forms – guest speakers, presentations by boys themselves and excursions to museums and galleries are amongst these conversations. Furthermore, there is great emphasis placed upon music at Edgecliff and St Ives with Mr Tod Piekos’ determination and boundless energy helping establish the policy of seeking out only top violin teachers; consequently making violin study mandatory at both campuses.
The Preparatory Years
Sydney Grammar School, or SGS as it is commonly known, is a non-denominational independent day school for boys located on three campuses: Edgecliff in the Eastern suburbs; St Ives on the Upper North Shore and College Street in Darlinghurst. SGS currently enrolls over 1,800 boys between kindergarten and year 12 at its campuses across Sydney – ranking sixth overall according to The Sydney Morning Herald league table in 2022 for ATAR results.
Sydneians are widely celebrated for their academic prowess. Notable graduates include Rhodes Scholars, High Court judges and Prime Ministers as well as leading figures from international sport, science, art and business – including many Old Sydneians who have established successful careers in law, medicine or business.
Sydney Grammar stands out for more than its academic excellence; it also stands out for its deep-seated dedication to music and the arts, leading to an ever-expanding cultural and intellectual life, which continues to develop through new generations of students joining its community.
The Middle Years
College Street, St Ives and Edgecliff schools all feed into Sydney Grammar School which was established by Primary Legislation passed by serving ministers of the NSW Parliament in 1854 and opened its doors that same year. This original act established a school to offer education opportunities without discrimination between classes or property status; all residents in New South Wales could take advantage of a regular liberal course of education provided through its doors.
The School is well known for its academic and intellectual pursuits, its sporting accomplishments, musical talent, and artistic endeavors. With an excellent tradition of producing independent young men with the desire and drive to leave their mark on society.
Education at Melbourne Grammar has produced many Rhodes Scholars and high court judges, as well as producing influential members of business, international sport, the arts, science and medicine – not to mention numerous Rhodes Scholars themselves! Since 1876 Melbourne and Brisbane Grammar have competed annually to win the “Bat”. This competition dates back 183 years!
The Senior Years
Grammar continues to offer boys an outstanding experience through Year 11 and 12 when the School provides instruction in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Mandatory History & Geography courses as well as Art Applied Arts Music Personal Development Health Physical Education classes with electives including Accelerated Classical Greek/Italian or German French Latin or Sanskrit for those pursuing further learning opportunities.
Language and cultural studies are of great importance at PHS, with regular drama performances at both Alastair Mackerras Theatre and Palladium Theatre for all forms. A musical is staged every two years – recent examples are Sweeney Todd and Shakespeare’s Henry IV/V trilogy.
NESA’s published Higher School Certificate merit lists feature boys from Grammar Schools prominently. In 2024 alone, for instance, sixty-two Grammar boys were listed as All Rounders and eight achieved First in Course placements (top band results across 10 units). Historically, Sydney and Melbourne Grammar Schools competed fiercely to earn the prestigious “Bat” in cricket competitions.
