logo
Why international students love Sydney's in-demand public schools

Why international students love Sydney's in-demand public schools

A number of Sydney schools that have exceeded their enrolment cap do have international students, including Castle Hill, Cronulla, Prairiewood and Epping Boys high schools. They have been popular with students who come to Sydney to access the well-regarded Higher School Certificate curriculum.
In 2024, 33 international students attended Castle Hill High School, which is over capacity by 1043 students.
While those schools will honour agreements with existing students, the department said: 'NSW public schools can only take in international students when they have capacity. If a school has reached its enrolment cap, it cannot enrol new international students.'
International students in senior years pay about $19,000 each to study in Sydney, contributing about '$40 million a year' to the department's revenue, Wan said.
Between 2019 and 2024, Australia experienced a 23 per cent reduction in international school students. The number fell from 4551 in 2019 to 3500 in 2024.
Mechel Pikoulas, the principal of Strathfield Girls High School, which has 58 international students and is under capacity, said overseas students enrich classrooms.
'You have got the world in every classroom,' she said. 'You have that diversity in every classroom. They bring an incredible depth and intellectual quality [to the classroom]. They have academic rigour as well.
'There's definitely a lift in the academic push because they are coming with such high academic standards that lift our school across the board.'
Wan said it is also becoming increasingly difficult to find homestay families.
Families who once took in primary school and high school students are now turning to international university students, who pay more than school-aged children.
'There hasn't been as many families around. Higher education providers are offering crazy money per week for homestay families. We are in a cost-of-living crisis. It's putting more pressure on the supply of homestay.'
Wan said international students' parents use public primary and high schools as a pathway into Australian universities.
'They are impressed by Australia's education system,' he said. 'They know that our universities are amazing, and they know that our schools are a great way to get kids prepared and great results that will allow them to go on to university.
'They appreciate the different way we do things here. Students talk about the pressure they get back home, and families understand it's not sustainable – it's not the best environment for their child to thrive.'
Loading
Homestay provider Agnes Ong, of Global Experience, said some of the most in-demand areas among international parents are Hunters Hill, Strathfield, Burwood, Concord, Cabramatta, Kogarah and Mosman, but it is difficult to place students in some schools.
'Burwood and Strathfield is quite popular, but they are very strict [with catchment zones]. We are rarely able to place students because of that. There are not many families living in Burwood and Strathfield who are able to take under 18s,' Ong said.
'Some schools are quite flexible and allow students to be placed outside the catchment area as long as it's a reasonable travelling distance, up to 50 to 60 minutes. At the moment we have a lot of families in the St George, Beverley Hills, Northern Beaches, Canterbury and Parramatta areas.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Like the real thing': Australian wine company makes bold low-alcohol claim
'Like the real thing': Australian wine company makes bold low-alcohol claim

9 News

time2 hours ago

  • 9 News

'Like the real thing': Australian wine company makes bold low-alcohol claim

Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The company behind iconic Australian winemaker Penfolds claims it's developed an alcohol -free drop that still tastes just like the real thing. Treasury Wine Estates, which owns the likes of Penfolds, Squealing Pig, and Pepperjack, has unveiled a new $15 million facility in the Barossa Valley dedicated to producing low and no-alcohol wines . The company claims its innovative technique, involving distillation at very low temperatures, preserves the aromas and flavours typically lost in alcohol removal. The company behind iconic Australian winemaker Penfolds claims it's developed an alcohol-free drop that still tastes just like the real thing. (9News) "The whole concept is really about retaining as much taste and flavour in our mid-strength and no-alcohol wines, which is really important for this emerging consumer category," winemaker Toby Barlow said. The process, which the company says took two years to perfect, aims to cater to a growing market of "health-conscious" drinkers. "Up to 58 per cent of people have stated that they're looking to reduce their alcohol intake," spokeswoman Sarah Parkes said. The wines were tested on the streets of the Barossa Valley and received largely positive reviews. "It's quite sweet, sauv blanc is usually not super sweet, but I wouldn't know that it's non-alcoholic, but it's quite lovely," local Emma Holmes said. The process, which the company says took two years to perfect, aims to cater to a growing market of "health-conscious" drinkers. (9News) "I'm definitely conscious of my health and how much alcohol I'm consuming so something like this that has no alcohol, yeah really good option," Stuart Jenkins, another taste tester, said. More alcohol-free product lines are currently in the making. This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress . wine South Australia Adelaide national alcohol Australia CONTACT US

‘They have never exported': Shots fired in bid to build new warships for Australia
‘They have never exported': Shots fired in bid to build new warships for Australia

Sydney Morning Herald

time5 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

‘They have never exported': Shots fired in bid to build new warships for Australia

Kiel, Germany: One of Germany's leading defence companies has ramped up its attempt to secure a $10 billion contract to build a fleet of warships for the Australian navy, taking aim at its Japanese rival as it offers to export Australian-made ships across the Indo-Pacific. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the defence division of German industrial conglomerate thyssenkrupp, is competing against Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build up to 11 general purpose frigates to replace the navy's ageing fleet of Anzac-class ships. The Albanese government has said it will decide the winner by the end of the year, with the first ship to be delivered in 2029. The government plans to buy the first three frigates from an overseas production line before constructing the remaining ships in Australia to accelerate the acquisition process. Mitsubishi's Mogami 06FFM frigate is widely seen in defence circles as the more modern and advanced vessel, and the Japanese government is leaning heavily on its burgeoning strategic relationship with Australia to secure an advantage. Meanwhile, TKMS is pitching its MEKO A-200 frigate as a tested and low-risk option that would avoid the cost blowouts and delays that have bedevilled recent navy projects such as the Hunter-class frigate program. Speaking publicly for the first time about his company's bid, TKMS chief executive Oliver Burkhard told this masthead: 'I know our competitors. They have never exported in the past.' By contrast, he said the German frigate was a 'wonderful concept' that had 'been proven several times'.

‘They have never exported': Shots fired in bid to build new warships for Australia
‘They have never exported': Shots fired in bid to build new warships for Australia

The Age

time5 hours ago

  • The Age

‘They have never exported': Shots fired in bid to build new warships for Australia

Kiel, Germany: One of Germany's leading defence companies has ramped up its attempt to secure a $10 billion contract to build a fleet of warships for the Australian navy, taking aim at its Japanese rival as it offers to export Australian-made ships across the Indo-Pacific. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the defence division of German industrial conglomerate thyssenkrupp, is competing against Japanese firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build up to 11 general purpose frigates to replace the navy's ageing fleet of Anzac-class ships. The Albanese government has said it will decide the winner by the end of the year, with the first ship to be delivered in 2029. The government plans to buy the first three frigates from an overseas production line before constructing the remaining ships in Australia to accelerate the acquisition process. Mitsubishi's Mogami 06FFM frigate is widely seen in defence circles as the more modern and advanced vessel, and the Japanese government is leaning heavily on its burgeoning strategic relationship with Australia to secure an advantage. Meanwhile, TKMS is pitching its MEKO A-200 frigate as a tested and low-risk option that would avoid the cost blowouts and delays that have bedevilled recent navy projects such as the Hunter-class frigate program. Speaking publicly for the first time about his company's bid, TKMS chief executive Oliver Burkhard told this masthead: 'I know our competitors. They have never exported in the past.' By contrast, he said the German frigate was a 'wonderful concept' that had 'been proven several times'.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store