ABOUT THE SCHOOL

We are a high-achieving day and boarding school for girls in Sydney. We have been educating young women for over 168 years – developing character and challenging intellect.
At St Catherine’s, we welcome girls of all backgrounds and respect the different strengths of each, acknowledging that diversity enriches our community. We cater for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with boarding students entering from Year 7. 

Today’s young women are being educated for a world where global perspective and technological competence will be expected, and where success depends on creativity, confidence, discipline and networking.We want our girls to have a first-rate education, so we offer a broad, challenging, and academically rigorous curriculum. But we also want them to be women of character and discipline with the moral and emotional strength to deal with life’s challenges.This is what we can offer your daughter.

We look forward to meeting you.

Mrs Judith Poole

Headmistress

About St Catherine's School Sydney

St Catherine's School Sydney is a school for unique young women of character, ready to make their mark on the world. We foster each student’s individuality to help them discover their potential, develop their abilities and achieve their dreams. We are a Kindergarten to Year 12 day and boarding school with 1,100 students enrolled on our single campus. Founded in 1856, we are Australia’s oldest Anglican girls’ school and believe this rich heritage, coupled with our vast educational offering, is key to our success. 

St Catherine’s School is located in the exclusive eastern suburbs of Sydney. Waverley is a safe residential area – a short distance from the famous Bondi Beach and Centennial Parklands. Our international students are encouraged to experience everything Sydney has to offer, which includes an outdoor lifestyle. Close by are the beautiful Queens Park and Centennial Parks, where boarders love to walk and exercise. The CBD and Sydney Domestic and International Airports are a short 20-minutes drive away.

St Catherine’s is a proud member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools. Our teaching is intentionally tailored to girls – with our learning environment designed to give unparalleled opportunities for students to find their own voices, thrive in STEM and sports, develop self-confidence and grow as leaders.In a girls’ school, young women are empowered to fearlessly explore every subject area, experience every cocurricular activity and seize every leadership opportunity.Research has consistently proven that girls in single-sex schools achieve higher academic outcomes and have higher self-esteem and confidence.

Although St Catherine's is a proud girls' school, we do have strong connections with three prestigious boys’ schools; The Scots College, Sydney Grammar School and Waverley College.

We value Integrity, Courage, Relationships, Service.

Our publications 

• The Bulletin 
• Achievement Report 2023

Past student and parent testimonials

LEE YIU (CHRISTINA) YIP, HONG KONG BOARDER, HSC 2022

I began my boarding life at St Catherine’s in 2020, just as the pandemic started. I spent the next two years unable to see my parents or return home to Hong Kong, feeling extremely lost and uncertain. Fortunately, I had such a supportive family in the boarding house who constantly provided me with comfort. Thanks to the many activities organised by the boarding house, I got to know the other boarders easily and made friends quickly. Going to Jamberoo Water Park with the whole boarding house remains one of the best memories I have of my time in high school. I also enjoyed daily prep time in the research centre, where I was able to study one-on-one with my teachers. The boarding house provided a warm-hearted environment where I had the opportunity to grow and learn to be independent. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this huge family and leave school with countless new skills to guide me into the future.

LIM SONG AND SOYOUNG LIM, VIETNAM 
PARENTS OF LEENA SONG HSC 2019 AND JUNA SONG HSC 2021

Sending two daughters to Australia from Vietnam was an anxiety filled experience for all of us as a family. St Catherine’s provided the safest environment for Leena and Juna to fully experience cultural diversity and understand what it means to be responsible members of the community. Now they are proud to call themselves St Catherine’s girls! 
PS: Thank you so much for keeping eye on them! You always have someone to reach out to in Vietnam.

KEI CI CASEY YU, HONG KONG BOARDER, HSC 2019

I began boarding at St Catherine’s in Year 8, 2015. It was the first time for me to leave my family for such a long period of time and I was welcomed by the staff and the students from this community. As an only child, it was great to live and make friends with 65 other students from different cultural backgrounds. I was really homesick when I first came to boarding, but I was able to adapt to the community very quickly with the help of the staff and the students. I cherish the memories where I spent times laughing and playing with the other boarders. The boarding house was my second home for five years and I really miss spending time with my friends there, including all the good and bad times. Boarding was like a long-time camp for me which was an unforgettable experience. It provided me the opportunity to grow up and learn how to be independent.   

IMOGEN HICKS, CANBERRA BOARDER, HSC 2020

I became a St Catherine’s boarder in Year 10, 2018. I enjoyed it from the start as it was a relatively small boarding community with around 66 girls from all over Australia and overseas. That meant there was always someone to chat with, study with or exercise with, but it was also possible to still find quiet time. Living with girls from a variety of backgrounds broadened my understanding of others and helped develop my social and life skills. 
The boarding house had just been renovated so the facilities were brand new and really impressive. The long, hot showers were the best! Yes, there were plenty of rules but it still felt like my home away from home and I always felt supported and cared for. 
Living on site was a huge positive as it meant I could enjoy additional access to certain school facilities after hours and on weekends such as the research centre, the gym and the pool. It was so convenient to just walk out of the boarding house door and be at class, team trainings or tutoring in two minutes.  
For me, it was a privilege to attend St Catherine’s School. I was provided with incredible opportunities through academic mentorship and through the Elite Athlete program. When I reflect on my time at St Catherine’s, I recall a fun time, and forging lifelong friendships that I will always cherish. I am grateful for the opportunity to develop values, skills and knowledge that will guide me for life.