Education
The Sydney students forced to take the NAPLAN test again
Some schools were hit by a technical issue which meant they could access predictive text and spellcheck.
- by Christopher Harris
Latest
In NSW, swimming lessons started in 1880. Now some schools struggle to put a relay team together
After nationwide research showed participation in school swimming carnivals had plunged, experts say a lot of students are missing out on key skills.
- by Julie Power and Frances Howe
School swimming carnivals are dying. It’s putting a generation at risk
One in four schools around Australia have abandoned the annual swimming carnival, research shows, as Royal Life Saving Australia sounds the alarm over safety.
- by Julie Power
Exclusive
‘I’m sure it will happen’: James Ruse High’s plan to return to No.1 revealed
For 27 years, the selective school reigned at the top of HSC league tables until 2023, when it was dethroned by North Sydney Boys.
- by Christopher Harris
More parents want a private school scholarship. Marks are not always enough
The number of applicants for some private school scholarship tests has increased by about 30 per cent in the past few years.
- by Christopher Harris
‘Pass this now’: Greens offer to help Labor ‘Dutton-proof’ key measures
In a letter penned to Anthony Albanese this week, Greens leader Adam Bandt had three key requests.
- by Millie Muroi
Scots College’s multimillion-dollar ‘vanity’ castle to finally open
For years, CBD has dined out on the trials and tribulations of Scots College’s garish new student centre modelled on a Scottish baronial castle.
- by Kishor Napier-Raman, Stephen Brook and Cara Waters
Professors hit back at universities that are ‘no longer about education’
As top institutions are accused of putting money before academic integrity, one university has cut back on graduation ceremonies and said it would give students a “coveted” rubber duck.
- by Christopher Harris
The subject students are failing – can you pass the quiz?
An analysis of Australian international test results shows some pupils are almost four years behind in learning due to maths anxiety.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
The ‘fully funded’ Sydney selective school desperate for donations
One of Sydney’s top-performing public schools will seek to cut costs and ask parents to pay more after its budget was slashed.
- by Lucy Carroll and Christopher Harris
Exclusive
‘Not problems to be capped’: NSW treasurer defends international students
International education is second only to coal in terms of NSW’s export industries. Would a cap on overseas student numbers put that at risk?
- by Alexandra Smith and Matt Wade
How Cyclone Alfred is impacting Northern NSW
Supermarkets, health clinics, transport, schools and roads have all been impacted by Cyclone Alfred. Here’s what you need to know.
- by Kayla Olaya
Exclusive
The major NAPLAN change coming to schools
Teachers will get maths and reading results almost instantly under a plan by the national curriculum authority.
- by Nick Newling
SMH Schools Summit 2025 as it happened: Prue Car speaks after funding deal, selective schools in the spotlight
Sydney’s education thought leaders have gathered at ICC Sydney for The Sydney Morning Herald School Summit.
- by Nick Newling
Editorial
Comprehensive schools carry a disproportionate burden of disadvantage
The SMH Schools Summit 2025 will hear radical proposals for selective public schools and private schools to share the load of disadvantaged students.
- The Herald's View
Former education chief’s call to curb new selective schools
Michele Bruniges will use a speech at The Sydney Morning Herald Schools Summit on Wednesday to outline how public schools disproportionately educate disadvantaged students.
- by Christopher Harris
This north shore school catchment shake-up blindsided parents. Now there’s a delay
A controversial change to the catchment zone of one of Sydney’s top-performing comprehensive schools, Killara High, has been pushed back.
- by Nick Newling
Editorial
New homes without new schools is shooting planning in the foot
The Minns government has shelved plans to build schools in the very suburbs it has earmarked for housing development.
- The Herald's View
Exclusive
Thousands of NSW primary school students to sit new mathematics test
The teacher-run 15-minute test will check students’ maths skills in counting, ordering numbers and simple addition and subtraction.
- by Lucy Carroll and Christopher Harris
Albanese clears $4.8bn hurdle in race to federal election
The federal government will lift its share of NSW school funding in a similar deal to a $2.5 billion agreement with Victoria five weeks ago.
- by David Crowe
It’s one of the north shore’s most prized school catchments - and it just shrank
Families pay a median price of $3.3 million to live in Killara. Now, many of them won’t get their kids into Killara High.
- by Nick Newling
Opinion
To win parents’ votes, put their kids first – with childcare that hits home
There’s evidence that children aged under three are more stressed in childcare centres than at home. Working parents need options.
- by Parnell Palme McGuinness
The principal who made a pact with parents about what happens after school
Bans and restrictions on use and type of mobile phones are gaining traction.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
These north shore schools have been shelved but thousands of new homes are coming
Plans for an education precinct at St Leonards and a new Chatswood public primary school were earmarked under the former government.
- by Lucy Carroll
Private schools lobby vows federal election fight over ‘class-war rhetoric’
Seventeen seats have been designated “ground zero” in a campaign to pressure major parties to shore up billions of dollars in public funding.
- by Bridie Smith
Students protest at Sydney school after Muslim staffer told to work from home
Granville Boys High student support officer Sheikh Wesam Charkawi was ordered to remove social media posts where he downplayed antisemitic comments made by two Sydney nurses.
- by Lucy Carroll and Christopher Harris
Opinion
How the housing crisis is destroying university life
With part-time jobs, fewer lectures and long commutes, many university students are weighing up whether it’s worth turning up to class.
- by Michelle Arrow, Jonathan Symons and Tanya Evans
Video allegedly shows a young boy being bullied by older students
Video allegedly showing a young Ballarat Grammar boy being bullied by a group of older schoolmates.
Exclusive
Revealed: The secret performance targets for our schools
Performance goals that have been kept from the public for months reveal what parents really think about their children’s school.
- by Lucy Carroll
The most popular schools for Sydney house hunters revealed
While the state government is focused on delivering more co-ed options, many of the most popular schools are single sex.
- by Christopher Harris
Parents plan legal challenge over Sydney high school’s controversial changes
Parents this week launched a fundraising campaign to raise $20,000 in a bid to stop the senior campus from being dismantled.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
Private school bubble: Where students at Sydney’s biggest universities came from
Public school graduates made up only 41 per cent of new undergraduates at Sydney University despite efforts to increase students from disadvantaged groups.
- by Christopher Harris and Lucy Carroll
Seven in 10 high school students fail civics and citizenship tests
The latest results come amid a loss of faith in democracy and political institutions, rising antisemitic attacks and a breakdown in social cohesion.
- by Lucy Carroll and Christopher Harris
Girls lead exodus as parents choose private and Catholic schools
Thousands more NSW parents are choosing Catholic and private schools for their children amid an exodus from public education.
- by Christopher Harris and Craig Butt
New deal gives university students unlimited access to the Herald and The Age
A premium subscription licensing deal will make independent and award-winning journalism available to university students and staff.
- by Emily Kaine
Exclusive
‘Swimming in debt’: Sydney’s $14 billion student loan burden
This map reveals which suburbs are carrying the city’s biggest HELP debts.
- by Matt Wade
Exclusive
TikToker defamed female Sydney Uni student over sex assault report protest
The influencer has been ordered to pay $20,000 after accusing the woman of complicity when a group of male students tore up a report into campus sexual violence.
- by Perry Duffin
Parents spent millions to secure entry to this school. Now they’re being turned away
About a dozen streets have been affected by the change to a popular Sydney school catchment.
- by Christopher Harris
‘Toxic environment’: Unis told to adopt controversial definition of antisemitism
The government should consider changing workplace laws to make it easier for universities to fire or discipline academics, a parliamentary inquiry report recommends.
- by Daniella White
Frances was burnt out after 16 years as a principal. Now she’s teaching again
Fewer teachers are resigning and retiring after they were given a $10,000 pay rise.
- by Christopher Harris
Banks told to ignore student debt when weighing up home loans
Millions of Australians collectively carrying more than $43 billion in student debts have faced problems getting a mortgage. Now they may have a chance to buy a home.
- by Shane Wright
The number of school students forecast to come to every suburb in NSW
Demographers say there will be an additional 51,926 primary and 40,497 high school students over the next 10 years to 2034.
- by Christopher Harris and Nigel Gladstone
Exclusive
Compulsory civics lessons push amid escalating antisemitic attacks in Sydney
The state’s top private school told parents it will review its curriculum programs to ensure it’s emphasising “the importance of tolerance and understanding”.
- by Lucy Carroll
Editorial
Democracy can’t be scrolled but should be promptly taught in our schools
A parliamentary committee highlights new evidence that Australia’s school students know very little about how our country works.
- The Herald's View
Where your neighbours send their kids to school
Where you go to school follows a typical pattern in Sydney, but top-performing schools with good reputations have the ability to upend an entire suburb’s enrolment demographics.
- by Christopher Harris and Craig Butt
Historians and lexicologists to give expert opinion in Newington co-ed court battle
Newington College’s plans to begin admitting girls from next year are set to hinge on a legal interpretation of a 152-year-old trust deed.
- by Lucy Carroll
Campus creeps on notice with anti-sexual violence code
Jobseekers in higher education will be forced to disclose allegations or investigations of sexual harm and universities could be fined if they don’t meet safety standards under a code to prevent gender-based violence on campus.
- by Nicole Precel
Exclusive
‘This will split our suburb in two’: Parents’ anger over school catchment changes
Inner Sydney High has its first year 12 cohort doing the HSC this year – and it is already feeling the popularity pinch.
- by Lucy Carroll and Christopher Harris
This Sydney billionaire wants to hire more women. He’s spending $100m to make it happen
The gift from tech entrepreneur Robin Khuda is the single biggest philanthropic donation made in NSW.
- by Christopher Harris
Exclusive
Head of top Sydney private girls’ school to retire after 30 years
The SCEGGS school board announced Jenny Allum would retire at the end of this year after serving as principal since 1996.
- by Lucy Carroll