View source for Sydney Boys High School

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox school
 | name                    = Sydney Boys High School
 | logo                    = Sydney Boys High School crest.svg
 | image                   = Sbhsmoorepark.jpg
 | image_size              = 240px
 | logo_size               = 90px
 | caption                 = Sydney Boys High School, as seen from Moore Park West
 | motto                   = {{langx|la|Veritate et Virtute}}
 | motto_translation       = With Truth and Courage
 | established             = {{start date and age|1883|10|01|df=y}}
 | location                = [[Cleveland Street, Sydney|Cleveland Street]], [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]], [[Sydney]]
 | country                 = Australia
 | coordinates             = {{Coord|33|53|32|S|151|13|10|E|display=inline,title|format=dms|type:edu_region:AU-NSW}}
 | type                    = [[Education in Australia#Government schools|Government-funded]] [[Single-sex school|single-sex]] [[Selective school (New South Wales)|academically selective]] [[secondary school|secondary]] [[day school]]
 | educational_authority   = [[Department of Education (New South Wales)|New South Wales Department of Education]]
 | district                = Port Jackson education area of the Sydney Region
 | gender                  = [[Single-sex education|Boys]]
 | affiliations            = 
 | founder                 = 
 | principal               = Kim Jaggar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/school/principals-message|title=Principal's Message|first=Kim|last=Jaggar|publisher=Sydney Boys High School|access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref>
 | enrolment               = 1,215
 | enrolment_as_of         = 2022
 | grades                  = [[Year Seven|7]]–[[Year Twelve|12]]
 | grades_label            = Years
 | colours                 = Chocolate brown and sky blue {{color box|#7B3F00}}{{color box|#1E90FF}}
 | athletics               = [[Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales]]
 | campus_type             = [[Suburban]]
 | area                    = {{convert|34400|m2}}
 | website                 = {{URL|https://sydneyboys-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/}}
| alumni                  = [[List of Old Boys of Sydney Boys High School|SBHS Old Boys]]
}}

'''Sydney Boys High School''' (''''SBHS''''), otherwise known as '''Sydney High School ('SHS')''' or simply '''High''', is an Australian [[Education in Australia#Government schools|government-funded]] [[Single-sex school|single-sex]] [[Selective school (New South Wales)|academically selective]] [[secondary school|secondary]] [[day school]] for [[Single-sex education|boys]], located at [[Moore Park, New South Wales]], a suburb within the [[City of Sydney]] council.

Sydney Boys High was established in 1883 and is operated by the [[Department of Education (New South Wales)|New South Wales Department of Education]] as a school within the Port Jackson Education Area of the Sydney Region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyr.det.nsw.edu.au/index.php/our-schools|title=Our Schools – Sydney Region Public Schools|publisher=Department of Education and Communities}}</ref> The school hosts approximately 1,200 students from [[Year Seven|Year 7]] to [[Year Twelve|Year 12]] – a number greater than most other [[List of selective high schools in New South Wales|selective state schools]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bettereducation.com.au/school/secondary/nsw/sydney_top_government_secondary_schools.aspx|title=2012 Top Public High Schools in Sydney|publisher=Better Education|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> – and is situated adjacent to its [[sister school]], [[Sydney Girls' High School]]. The school is a member of the [[Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales]] (AAGPS).<ref name="GPSHistory">{{cite web|url = http://portals.studentnet.edu.au/sports/base.aspx??tabindex=10&tabid=162|title = AAGPS History|access-date = 2007-10-09|year = 2007|work = Info|publisher = Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080501155635/http://portals.studentnet.edu.au/sports/base.aspx?%3Ftabindex=10&tabid=162|archive-date = 1 May 2008}}</ref>

The school was moved to its current site at Moore Park in 1928. The school is bounded by Moore Park (West), [[Anzac Parade, Sydney|Anzac Parade]], Sydney Girls High School and [[Cleveland Street, Sydney|Cleveland Street]].

The school regularly ranks within the top ten in New South Wales in terms of academic achievement, ranking 4th in the state in 2011 and 5th in the state in the 2017 [[Higher School Certificate (New South Wales)|Higher School Certificate]] (HSC),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2017/hsc-results/school-ranking/index.html|title=2017 HSC School Rankings|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref> and has produced numerous notable alumni – "Old Boys".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/ties-that-bind-prove-a-private-education-has-its-awards-20101203-18jx0.html?from=age_sb|title=Ties that bind prove a private education has its award|first=Jewel|last=Topsfield|work=[[The Age]]|date=4 December 2010}}</ref>

==History==
Sydney Boys High School was the first state high school in New South Wales and Australia. It was created under [[Premier of New South Wales|Premier]] [[Henry Parkes]]' public education system in the early 1880s following the ''Public Instruction Act 1880 (NSW)''.<ref>Waugh, Joseph W. (2008.) ''Sydney Boys High School: the foundation years 1883–1891'', Sydney High School Old Boys Union, Darlinghurst, Australia.</ref>

Sydney Boys High School nor [[Sydney Girls High School]] has ever had a primary education division and are thus the first NSW state high schools founded for the express purpose of secondary education.<ref name="APH">{{cite web|url=http://www.auspostalhistory.com/articles/2113.shtml|title=Sydney Boys and Girls High Schools|date=4 April 2023 |publisher=AusPostalHistory.com}}</ref>

Sydney Boys High School was originally one collective unit merged with Sydney Girls; it was originally a [[Mixed-sex education|mixed-sex]] school. Sydney High School was established as two single-sex schools sharing a single building, with boys and girls on separate floors.<ref name="APH" /> The first day of instruction – for 46 boys – was on 1 October 1883 and was located in a building on [[Castlereagh Street]], designed by [[Francis Greenway]] and constructed by convicts.<ref name="APH" /> From 1883 to 1892, Sydney Boys occupied the lower floor and entered from the Castlereagh Street side of the building, whereas Sydney Girls occupied the upper floor and entered from the Elizabeth Street side.<ref name="APH" /> In 1924, this building would be demolished and both schools would, in 1921, have relocated to Moore Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/63385174@N06/6064057012/|title=Sydney Girls' High School, Castlereagh Street Side, March 1922|date=21 August 2011 |publisher=State Library of New South Wales}}</ref> Presently, this site is home to the [[Elizabeth Street, Sydney|Elizabeth Street]] store of [[David Jones (department store)|David Jones]].

[[File:Sydney Boys High School, Ultimo (1).jpg|thumb|right|Second campus of Sydney Boys High School, at Mary Ann Street in [[Ultimo, New South Wales|Ultimo]], in 1927.]]
In 1892, the boys' school was relocated to Mary Ann Street in [[Ultimo, New South Wales|Ultimo]].<ref>Theobald, Marjorie R. (1996.) ''Knowing Women: Origins of Women's Education in Nineteenth-Century Australia'', [[Cambridge University Press]], p. 114.</ref>

In 1906, Sydney Boys High School became a member of the [[Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales]] (AAGPS or GPS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/sport|title=Sport – Sydney Boys High School|access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> (The term "public school" here has the meaning as used in the United Kingdom; that is, a private school). Despite this, it is the sporting association's only government (public) school member.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/26/1069825842477.html|title=Sydney Boys knows how to rock the boat: invite the girls to share your shed|first=Linda|last=Doherty|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=27 November 2003|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

In 1928, the school moved to its current location at Moore Park, on the fringe of inner-city Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/school/history|title=History – Sydney Boys High School|access-date=9 October 2013}}</ref> This site was designed by [[George McRae]], designer of the [[Queen Victoria Building]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/today-in-history/today-in-history-april|title=Today in History – April 4|publisher=New South Wales State Records}}</ref> This site was previously the Moore Park Zoo, which was relocated to [[Mosman]] as [[Taronga Zoo]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/le-souef-albert-sherbourne-7747|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=A. Dunbavin|last=Butcher|chapter=Le Souef, Albert Sherbourne (1877–1951) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University|access-date=21 January 2018|via=Australian Dictionary of Biography}}</ref>

== List of officers ==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Headmaster
! colspan="2" |President, SHSOBU
|-
!Year
!Name
!Year
!Name
|-
|1883
| [[John Waterhouse (headmaster)|John Waterhouse]]
|
|
|-
|1884–1895
|[[Joseph Coates (cricketer)|Joseph Coates]]
|1892–1894
|J. Coates
|-
| rowspan="13" |1896–1915
| rowspan="13" |J. Waterhouse
|1902
|A. M. Eedy
|-
|1903
|P. J. Pratt
|-
|1904
|C. H. Cooke
|-
|1905
|O. U Vonwiller
|-
|1906
|R. C. Frosyth
|-
|1907
|C. M. Drew
|-
|1908
|G. C. Saxby
|-
|1909
|C. A. Fairland
|-
|1910
|F. A. Todd
|-
|1911
|P. S. Hunt
|-
|1912
|G. C. Saxby
|-
|1913
|A. Bohrsman
|-
|1914–1915
|A. G. Henderson
|-
| rowspan="2" |1916–1918
| rowspan="2" |R. J. Hinder
|1916
|W. G. Lewes
|-
|1917–1918
|E. J. Hooke
|-
| rowspan="4" |1919–1924
| rowspan="4" |C. R. Smith
|1919–1920
|H. K. Prior
|-
|1921–1922
|L. F. Watt
|-
|1923
|W. W. Vick
|-
|1924
|A. M. Eedy
|-
| rowspan="6" |1925–1933
| rowspan="6" |G. C. Saxby
|1925–1927
|R. T. McKay
|-
|1928
|A. M. Eedy
|-
|1929
|W. J. Cleary
|-
|1930–1931
|O. A. A. Diethelm
|-
|1932
|H. F. Halloran
|-
| rowspan="2" |1933–1934
| rowspan="2" |S. A. Smith
|-
| rowspan="2" |1934–1935
| rowspan="2" |F. McMullen
|-
| rowspan="2" |1935–1936
| rowspan="2" |C. G. McDonald
|-
| rowspan="10" |1936–1951
| rowspan="10" |J. H. Killip
|-
|1937
|G. F. Diamond
|-
|1938–1939
| J. R. Nield
|-
|1940
| G. Hardwicke
|-
|1941–1942
|C. N. Hirst
|-
|1943
|E. Pye
|-
|1944–1946
|G. Hardwicke
|-
|1947–1948
|D. J. Duffy
|-
|1949–1950
|A. R. Beveridge
|-
| rowspan="2" |1951–1952
| rowspan="2" |K. C. Cameron
|-
| rowspan="3" |1952–1954
| rowspan="3" |G. Barr
|-
|1953
|P. G. Saywell
|-
| rowspan="2" |1954–1956
| rowspan="2" |A. R. Callaway
|-
| rowspan="4" |1955–1963
| rowspan="4" |K. J. Andrews
|-
|1957–1959
|D. J. Duffy
|-
|1960–1962
|A. Ferguson
|-
| rowspan="2" |1963–1964
| rowspan="2" |W. McMurray
|-
| rowspan="6" |1964–1973
| rowspan="6" |M. R. Callaghan
|-
|1965–1966
|C. E. H. Rubie
|-
|1967–1968
|A. F. Deer
|-
|1969–1970
|Sir G. Wallace
|-
|1971–1972
|K. Torrington
|-
| rowspan="2" |1973–1974
| rowspan="2" |Sir B. Sugerman
|-
| rowspan="2" |1974–1976
| rowspan="2" |G. J. Bradford
|-
| rowspan="2" |1975–1977
| rowspan="2" |S. Livingston
|-
| rowspan="8" |1977–1991
| rowspan="8" |[[Bob Outterside]]
|-
|1978–1979
|E. S. Swinbourne
|-
|1980–1981
|P. A. Musgrove
|-
|1982–1985
|B. H. Pyke
|-
|1986–1987
|J. M. Challen
|-
|1988
|B. H. Pyke
|-
|1989–1990
|M. Aikin
|-
| rowspan="2" |1991–1992
| rowspan="2" |R. Mitchell
|-
| rowspan="3" |1992–1999
| rowspan="3" |R. J. Stratford
|-
|1993–1998
|J. Norrie
|-
| rowspan="2" |1999–2000
| rowspan="2" |N. Scudder
|-
| rowspan="8" |2000–present
| rowspan="8" |K. A. Jaggar
|-
|2001–2004
|J. Goddard
|-
|2005–2006
|M. Livingston
|-
|2007–2012
|J. Waugh
|-
|2013–2014
|R. Bowey
|-
|2015–2018
|P. Almond
|-
|2019–2024
|P. Harapin
|-
|2024–present
|J. Ezrakhovich
|}

Headmaster was renamed to ''principal'' in 1992.

The Sydney High School Old Boys' Union lapsed from 1895 to 1901 due to lack of enrolments.

==Academic==

===Enrolments===
Year 7 – the first year – intakes 180 students,<ref name="Enrolment Policy">{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/enrolment/year7|title=Enrolment Policy – Year 7|publisher=Sydney Boys High School|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> but students from higher grades may be granted admittance provided vacancies exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/enrolment/years8-12|title=Enrolment Policy – Years 8–12|publisher=Sydney Boys High School}}</ref> Offers of admission into the school in Year 7 are based on achievement in the Selective High School Placement Test.<ref name="Enrolment Policy"/>

In Years 7 to 8, the cohorts each consist of 180 students;<ref name="Enrolment Policy"/> in Years 9 to 12, however, cohorts consist of 210 students each<ref name="Enrolment Policy"/> per the 2001 ''SBHS Enrolment Policy''.,<ref name="Enrolment Policy"/> where students who may not have gotten in through the Selective High School Placement test may try again.

Once admitted and matriculated, students are further grouped according to their abilities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/curriculum/ability-grouping|title=Ability Grouping|publisher=Sydney Boys High School}}</ref> as estimated by their scores in relevant fields in the Selective High School Placement Test. Proven proficiencies in music, as demonstrated by a proper formal qualification (e.g., [[Australian Music Examinations Board]] grades) also serve assessment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/curriculum/grouping-policy|title=Grouping Policy|publisher=Sydney Boys High School}}</ref>

===Academic results===
Sydney Boys High School has been historically known and is known for its academic achievement in the Higher School Certificate.

The following table shows the school's rankings relative to other schools in the state. The rankings are based on the percentage of exams sat that resulted in a placing on the Distinguished Achievers List (highest band result) as shown by the [[New South Wales Education Standards Authority]].

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Ranking<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bettereducation.com.au/results/hsc.aspx|title=HSC School Ranking – 2020|first=Better Education Pty|last=Ltd|website=BetterEducation.com.au|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>
|-
|align=center| 2007 ||align=center| 10
|-
|align=center|  2008 || align=center|  7
|-
|align=center|  2009 ||align=center|  7
|-
|align=center|  2010 ||align=center|  6
|-
|align=center|  2011 ||align=center|  4
|-
|align=center|  2012 ||align=center|  8
|-
|align=center|  2013 ||align=center|  7 
|-
|align=center|  2014 ||align=center|  6
|-
|align=center|  2015 ||align=center|  5
|-
|align=center| 2016 ||align=center| 7
|-
|align=center| 2017 ||align=center| 5
|-
|align=center| 2018 ||align=center| 7
|-
|align=center| 2019 ||align=center| 10
|-
|align=center| 2020 ||align=center| 10
|-
|align=center| 2021  ||align=center| 13
|-
|align=center| 2022 ||align=center| 11
|-
|align=center| 2023 ||align=center| 13
|-
|align=center| 2024 ||align=center| 9
|-
|}

===Departments===
The curriculum, endorsed by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority, is taught by the following 12 departments:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/curriculum|title=Curriculum – Sydney Boys High School|website=SydneyBoysHigh.com|access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref>
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[English studies|English]]
**English (Year 7–10)
**English Standard (Year 11–12)
**English Advanced (Year 11–12)
**English Extension 1 (Year 11–12)
**English Extension 2 (Year 12)
*[[Mathematics]]
**Mathematics (Year 7–10)
**Mathematics Advanced (Year 11–12)
**Mathematics Extension 1 (Year 11–12)
**Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12)
*[[Science]]
**Science (Year 7–10)
**Biology (Year 11–12)
**Chemistry (Year 11–12)
**Physics (Year 11–12)
*Computing studies
**[[Information Processes and Technology]]
*[[Industrial arts]]
**Engineering Studies{{Col-2}}
*[[Music]]
**Music 1
**Music 2 
**Music Extension
*[[Visual arts]]
**Visual Arts
*[[History]]
**History (Year 7–9)
**History Elective (Year 10)
**Ancient History (Year 11–12)
**Modern History (Year 11–12)
**History Extension (Year 12)
*[[Social Science]]
**Geography (Year 7–9)
**Geography Elective (Year 10)
**Geography (Year 11–12)
**Business Studies (Year 11–12)
**Economics (Year 11–12)
**Legal Studies (Year 11–12)
*[[Language education|Languages Other than English (LOTE)]]
:''Classical languages''
:*Latin
:*Ancient Greek

:''Modern Languages''
:*French
:*Chinese
:*German
:*Japanese
{{Col-end}}

==Grounds, buildings, and facilities==
The current Moore Park site hosts the Great Hall, other school buildings, tennis courts, a gymnasium, the Junior Quadrangle, and the Flat, a common low-lying area of land between Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls' High Schools. The school buildings include approximately 60 classrooms, two change rooms, the Junior Library (for Years 7–9), and the Senior Library (for Years 10–12).<ref name="Map">{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/school/map|title=School Map – Sydney Boys High School|website=SydneyBoysHigh.com|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> 
Nearby to the school are a number of sports facilities, such as the tennis courts opposite to the Sydney Boys and Girls High Schools,<ref name="Map"/> located on Cleveland Street, and the facilities at [[Centennial Park, New South Wales|Centennial Park]].

Sydney Boys High School is affiliated with other facilities such as the Outterside Centre (the school boatshed located in [[Abbotsford, New South Wales|Abbotsford]]) and the [[ANZAC Rifle Range]]. In addition to this, the school owns a number of vehicles, which it utilises to travel to sporting events, such as the annual [[The Armidale School]] versus the High School sporting exchange [[Armidale]] and the [[Head of the River (New South Wales)|Head of the River]] at the [[Sydney International Regatta Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/big-wet-turns-heads-up-for-traditional-gps-rowing-festival-20120307-1uknj.html|title=Big wet turns heads up for traditional GPS rowing festival|first=Kim|last=Arlington|date=8 March 2012|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

In addition, SBHS has its own cadet unit, which won the 23 Battalion AFX Trophy in 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyhigh.org.au/cadets/|title=SHS Cadet Unit|website=SydneyHigh.org.au|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/publications/high-notes/vol14no31#item3|title=High Notes, Vol 14 No 31, 11 October 2013 – Sydney Boys High School|website=SydneyBoysHigh.com|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>

During major sporting events, Sydney Boys High School may also rent out it's parking space for $10 along with any available spaces in the school.

==Co- and extracurricular activities==

===Debating and public speaking===
{{Expand section|date=July 2013}}
Sydney Boys has achieved notability in [[debating]], having won the Hume Barbour trophy and Karl Cramp trophy 26 times and 14 times respectively, more than any other school.<ref>https://www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/speaking-competitions/debating/past-winners-year-11-debating-challenge Past Winners Year 11 Karl Cramp Debating Challenge</ref><ref>https://www.artsunit.nsw.edu.au/speaking-competitions/debating/past-winners-years-11-12-debating-challenge Past Winners Year 11–12 Hume-Barbour Debating Challenge</ref>
<!--
In 2007, 2008, 2009...?
-->

The school also competes in the [[Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition]] and the GPS debating competition. The SBHS First Grade debating team have won the GPS Debating premiership 20 times, most recently in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpsdebating.org/|title=GPS Debating|website=GPSDebating.org|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpsdebating.org/node/27/|title=Past holders of the Rutledge Louat Shield – GPS Debating|website=GPSDebating.org|access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>

===Sport===
Sydney Boys High School has a long tradition of sports, in addition to academic scholarship and, stipulating that students must participate in sports until Year 12, offers students a wide range of sports, including:
{{Div col}}
*[[Sport of athletics|Athletics]]
*[[Association football]] (soccer), [[AAGPS (NSW) Soccer]]
*[[Basketball]], [[AAGPS (NSW) Basketball]]
*[[Cricket]]
*[[Cross country running]]
*[[Fencing]]
*[[Shooting sports#Rifle|Rifle shooting]]
*[[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]]
*[[Rugby union]], [[AAGPS (NSW) Rugby]]
*[[Sailing (sport)|Sailing]]
*[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]]
*[[Table tennis]]
*[[Tennis]]
*[[Volleyball]]
*[[Water Polo]] (in the combined GPS/CAS competition)
{{div col end}}

Sydney Boys High School is the sole state-operated member school of the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales<ref name="BT">{{cite web|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/worst-xv-sydney-boys-drop-the-ball-after-100-years-of-rugby-20091124-jbtb.html|title=Worst XV: Sydney Boys drops the ball after 100 years of rugby|first=Jonathan|last=Dart|work=Brisbane Times|date=25 February 2009|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> since 1906. It therefore competes against other GPS schools in many of the aforementioned sports, including the traditional English public school sports of cricket, rowing, and rugby union. Accordingly, and unusually for a state school, the school possess rowing facilities at the Outterside Centre at [[Abbotsford, New South Wales|Abbotsford]], which includes a dormitory, boat sheds, and three pontoons; playing fields at [[Centennial Park, New South Wales|Centennial Park]], with the Fairland Pavilion and the McKay Oval, a fenced cricket ground; and, facilities at the [[ANZAC Rifle Range]], which are managed by the [[Sydney High School Rifle Club]].

====Basketball Team Achievements====

=====Championship Men (Open)=====
*'''[[Australian Schools Championships]]'''
: {{Gold1}} Champions: '''(2)''' 2010, 2011
: {{Bronze3}} Third Place: 2013, 2014

==School traditions==

===House system===
Each student at Sydney Boys High School is placed into one of six [[House system|houses]], and each year is evenly divided into these houses. These houses, named after early Old Boys who have significantly contributed to and served the school, are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! House name !! Colour !! Namesake
|-
| Eedy (E) || Sky blue || Arthur Malcolm Eedy, a student in the first intake (1883–1886)<ref>Sydney Boys High School. (2008.) [http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/publications/document-library/doc_view/7720-high-notes-vol-9-no-20-june-27-2008 ''High Notes''], 9(19).</ref>
|-
| Fairland (F) || Red || Charles Adam Fairland<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theschoolslodge.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8:history-of-lodge-sydney-high-school&catid=7:sydneyhigh&Itemid=13|title=History of Lodge, Sydney High School|publisher=The Schools Lodge}}</ref><ref name="History of SHS Foundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.shsfoundation.org.au/history.php|title=History of the Sydney Boys High School Foundation, Inc. Outterside Centre, and Fairland Pavilion}}</ref><ref name="Cent Park">Centennial Parklands. [http://www.centennialparklands.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/27293/FACT_SHEET_-_Whats_In_A_Name.pdf "What's in a Name?"]</ref>
|-
| McKay (M) || Yellow || Robert Thomas McKay<ref name="History of SHS Foundation"/><ref name="Cent Park"/>
|-
| Rubie (R) || White || Cecil Edward Henning "Cec" Rubie, a student (1925–1928) and President of the Old Boys Union (1965–1966)<ref>Sydney Boys High School. (2008.) [http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/publications/document-library/doc_view/7733-high-notes-vol-9-no-33-october-24-2008 ''High Notes'', 9(33), p. 2.]</ref>
|-
| Saxby (S) || Green || George Campbell Saxby, a student in the second intake (1884–1887) and the fifth headmaster of the school<ref>Sydney Boys High School. (2008.) [http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/publications/high-notes/vol9no37 ''High Notes''], 9(37).</ref>
|-
| Torrington (T) || Navy blue ||
|}

As of late, these houses, as at the Year 7 intake, have been grouped according to the strengths and weaknesses of the students,<ref name="Gp Pol">{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneyboyshigh.com/curriculum/grouping-policy|title=Grouping Policy: Diagnostic Grouping of Year 7|publisher=Sydney Boys High School}}</ref> with an outrider class, English skills enhancement class, music proficiency class, sports proficiency class, and language preference class. In addition to these, an English enrichment group and a general abilities group may also be formed.<ref name="Gp Pol"/>

==Notable actions==

Sydney Boys High School has caught the attention of the media and/or the general public during certain times. It has seen several previous minorities matriculate to and graduate from it. Such minorities include non-[[British people|British]], non-[[Irish people|Irish]] European minorities, such as [[Italian Australian]]s, [[Maltese Australian]]s, and [[Greek Australian]]s. In 2002, the school had the attention of the media over comments made by Old Boys in regard to its ethnic composition – mostly [[East Asia]]n and [[South Asia]]n.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/19/1019020708130.html|title=Put to the test|date=20 April 2002|work=The Sydney Morning Herald }}</ref>

In 2002, "Sydney Boys High School wanted a more sophisticated admissions process, and more freedom to choose its own students."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/25/1030053009900.html|title=Reversal of fortunes for Sydney Boys High as King's is lost for wordsmiths|first=Paul|last=Sheehan|date=26 August 2002|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> In 2002, it was proposed that, of the 180 Year 7 places, 30 places would be allocated each year on the basis of the Selective Schools Entrance Test (with no extended writing requirement), a detailed ''[[curriculum vitae]]'', two school reports, and their achievements in civic, sporting, community, and leadership involvement. This is similar to the manner by which students are admitted to some private schools.

In 2013, the school was again featured in the media for its proposal to modify its selection criteria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/selective-students-against-local-intake-20130602-2njog.html|title=Selective students against local intake|first=Josephine|last=Tovey|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 June 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> This proposal involved reserving 30 places of the annual Year 7 intake of 180 places for local boys who live within {{convert|5|km}} of the school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/class-action-for-local-boys-20130524-2k6rr.html|title=Class action for local boys|first=Josephine|last=Tovey|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> Connolly stated that "any racial undertones to earlier campaigns were a thing of the past" and that "the benefit for the school this time is about tying it to its local community". The proposal would, in theory, reduce the load on overcrowded local high schools. However, this proposal was rejected, as stated in a ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' article,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/sydney-boys-high-could-host-inner-city-students-to-alleviate-overcrowding-issues-short-term/story-fngr8h22-1226628363511|title=Sydney Boys High School could host inner-city students to alleviate overcrowding issues short-term|first=James|last=Gorman|date=24 April 2013|work=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> and would be a short-term resolution to the problem.<ref name="Rethink">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/year-7-rethink-for-sydney-boys-20130523-2k42j.html|title=Year 7 rethink for Sydney Boys|first=Josephine|last=Tovey|date=24 May 2013|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>

As of the 2012 edition of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities statistics, more than 80% of the students enrolled at Sydney Boys High School have a language background other than English;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/english-second-language-of-selective-students-at-sydney-schools/story-fndo317g-1226509692683|title=English second language of selective students at Sydney schools|first=Briana|last=Domjen|date=4 November 2012|work=Herald Sun|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> however, this is not to suggest that these students and their parents or guardians are all recent immigrants or not proficient in English or, broadly, that the school is not necessarily lacking in diversity.

In recent years,{{When|date=January 2018}} an increasing number of "sport[s] imports" have been admitted in later years, to bolster the school's ability to more competitively participate in sports against other members of the AAGPS. This drew allegations of Sydney Boys High School of being unmeritocratic in its selection process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/09/05/in-memory-of-rugby-at-sydney-boys-high-school/|title=In memory of rugby at Sydney Boys High School|first=Spiro|last=Zavos|date=5 September 2008|work=The Roar|access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> Furthermore, in part due to the [[Public school (United Kingdom)|English public school]] nature of the school and the AAGPS, of which the school is a member, claims of nepotism and other favouritism have been levelled against the school. Brothers, sons, and grandsons of students or Old Boys have been allowed to enrol, though they may not have met the rigorous selection criteria.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/04/05/1017206267898.html|title=Good old boys push to keep Sydney High in the family|first=Gerard|last=Noonan|date=6 April 2002|work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref> Some old boys, however, argue that where former graduates living in the community have sons and guardians at the school there is greater parental involvement at the school.<ref name="auto"/>

One eminent alumnus of the school, [[James Spigelman]], former [[Chief Justice of New South Wales]], said in an address at the school dated 16 February 1999, that:
<blockquote>
... Our careers are particular manifestations of the ability of this school, by reason of its tradition of selection on the grounds of academic excellence, to make available opportunities to persons from backgrounds which may otherwise restrict such opportunities. The ability to obtain an education which is pitched at a level appropriate to the capacities of particular students, is the basis for the equality of opportunity, to which I have referred. ...<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/supreme_court/ll_sc.nsf/vwPrint1/SCO_speech_spigelman_160299 |title=Address by the Honourable JJ Spigelman, Chief Justice of New South Wales |date=16 February 1999 |publisher=[[Supreme Court of New South Wales]] |access-date=13 July 2013}}</ref>
</blockquote>

== Notable alumni ==
{{Main category|People educated at Sydney Boys High School}}
{{Main list|List of Old Boys of Sydney Boys High School}}

Sydney Boys High School has produced numerous prominent alumni, referred to as "Old Boys". Many graduates are active in alumni organisations, such as the Sydney High School Old Boys Union (OBU), the High Club, and High Rugby Friends.

[[Scott Morrison]], a Prime Minister of Australia (2018–2022), is an alumnus of Sydney Boys High School.

==See also==
{{Portal|New South Wales|Schools}}
*[[List of government schools in New South Wales]]
*[[List of selective high schools in New South Wales]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://sydneyboys-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/}}

{{Public high schools in Inner Sydney|state=autocollapse}}
{{Public high schools in Sydney|state=autocollapse}}
{{NSW Selective Schools|state=autocollapse}}
{{Great Public Schools}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Boys' schools in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1883]]
[[Category:People educated at Sydney Boys High School| ]]
[[Category:Public high schools in Sydney]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Selective schools in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Moore Park, New South Wales]]
[[Category:Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales]]