Canterbury Girls High was established in 1892 and moved to its present site in 1932.
It has a welcoming atmosphere and harmonious, cultural diversity. Students currently enrolled come from 49 different language backgrounds, with 74 per cent of students from a language background other than English. Success for all is the aim and hallmark of this school. There are extensive extracurricular programs that meet individual student needs and enhance student leadership capacity.
There has been a gifted and talented “Performance” class established since 2008 for year 7 and 8, which focuses on academic challenges combined with additional learning time for the Performing Arts. 2011 will be the fourth cohort for this program. The integration of information and communication technologies across the curriculum is whole school priority. There are significant International student enrolments for the SC and HSC in Years 10, 11, and 12. Links with local primary schools are an important feature.
Facilities: Multi-purpose hall, performance studio, drama and dance space, multimedia facilities, modern library, food and textile technology laboratories, visual arts rooms, four computer rooms, fully staffed learning centre for Senior students, fitness circuit room, outdoor covered learning spaces and extensive sporting fields.
Electives: A wide subject choice is available including Chinese, French, Modern Greek, Korean, Ancient History, Community and Family Studies, Society and Culture, Modern History, Studies of Religion, Food Technology, Textile Technology, Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, all Sciences, Legal Studies, Extension 1 and 2 English and all levels of Mathematics, Extension History and Saturday School Languages courses also available.
Students can choose from a variety of TVET and Vocational subjects such as Hospitality, Information Technology and Business Services in stage 6. Tafe Vocational courses are also available to stage 5 students. There is a gifted and talented program in all subject areas and a strong emphasis on literacy and English-as-a-second-language support.
Sport: The school enjoys a high sporting profile, with students having represented Australia in soccer. Students elect from a range of grade and recreational sports including, dance, athletics, swimming, cross-country, soccer, tennis, softball, hockey, netball, ice-skating, power walking, cycling, volleyball, basketball, lawn bowls, tennis, tai-chi, badminton, touch football, aerobics, cricket and cardio fitness.
Extracurricular activities: Choir ensembles, wind ensemble, band, percussion group, strings program, drama, theatresports, debating, five dance ensembles, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, active SRC and student leadership program, peer support, peer mediation support by strong welfare team, work experience supervised by full-time careers adviser.
Welfare and personal development: The broad curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for all girls to fulfil their individual potential. The Student Wellbeing Program emphasises students accepting responsibility for their behaviour and learning. Chinese, African, Pacific Island and Korean Community Liaison officers are also an important part of student support.
Special features: Student-centred learning and student responsibility for learning is a feature of the school’s educational program and the school is proud of its successful multicultural traditions. There is a strong school commitment to Environmental Education. The school has been recognised as a state leader in this area. Environmental projects include: CREW — Cooks River Environment Watch involving Year 9 students, National Tree Planting Day, World Water Monitoring Day, Clean Up Australia Day and Student Representative Council Planting Day. While being innovative in its curriculum, the school values the wearing of school uniform, commitment to teamwork, and good discipline. The school continues to gain outstanding success at the School certificate and HSC level.