St Andrew's Cathedral School

St Andrew's Cathedral School is an International Baccalaureate World School. The Middle School teaches the NSW curriculum through the IB Middle Years framework. Senior College students can choose to study either the HSC or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Gawura School sits within St Andrew's Cathedral School and provides Kindergarten to Year 6 education for First Nations children.

The school has a long-standing leadership in performing arts, with a strong focus on music as central to school life. There are more than 30 ensembles across the school, including Cathedral choristers, and opportunities in drama and dance. The facilities include state-of-the-art music rooms, specialist instrumental teaching spaces, practice rooms, a Black Box Theatre and Chapter House for performances. Musicals and quality theatre productions are staged in venues across Sydney, including The Concourse, Sydney Town Hall and NIDA Parade Theatre.

Languages offered for Years 7–10 are Chinese (Mandarin), French and Spanish, with language study extended through Years 7–12 in different formats. In Senior College, students can continue with the same language or start a beginner course, or study the IB language at Language B or ab initio level. Gawura School emphasises Indigenous culture and language as part of its education model. The school also supports international tours and cultural exchange experiences, including the 2025 European Music Tour.

There is a broad range of co-curricular clubs beyond sport and performing arts, including MakerSpace, Debating, Drama, Dance, F1 in Schools, Knitting Club, Maths Club, Mock Trial, Music ensembles and choirs, Philosophy/Olympiad activities, and Science Club. There are additional enrichment opportunities such as Art Enrich, SACSAchieve and Theatresports, with teams and ensembles across Junior, Middle and Senior levels. The School's Performing Arts programme also supports theatre and musical theatre activities and competitions, alongside regular ensemble rehearsals and concerts.

The service learning programme is sequential, integrated and age-appropriate, grounded in a belief that every person has dignity and infinite value. Major charitable partners include Anglicare, Anglican Aid, Rough Edges Outreach Centre, Indigenous Literacy Foundation and 1-One-7 Church Outreach, with additional support for local Anglican churches. The program provides authentic service-learning experiences through partnerships with these organisations.

Leadership opportunities exist from Junior School to Senior College. In Junior School and Gawura, more than a dozen Year 6 leadership positions are elected (e.g., School Captain, Vice-Captain, House Captain, Drama Captain, Music Captain). In Middle School, Year 9 leaders are appointed through an application and interview process, supported by a larger group of Ambassadors. In Senior College, Year 11 students participate in the Peer Support programme, and by Year 12 all students are considered leaders, with a School Leadership Team and a Student Representative Council (SRC) to represent student voice.

St Andrew's Cathedral School places wellbeing and character at the core of education, with explicit character education linked to the school's IB framework and 15 Character Strengths aligned to VIA. Wellbeing programmes are cohesive and age-appropriate, including Social and Emotional Wellbeing lessons, chapel and assemblies, and external seminars on topics such as consent, cyber safety, and mental health. The school emphasises holistic development through sport, outdoor education and cultural activities, supported by specialist coaches and facilities; Kirrikee Outdoor Education and a full gym and sports centre support physical well-being.