Penrith High School is an academic selective high school.  It is the original high school in the Penrith District, established in 1950 and occupying its present site in 1951.

Before that, it was an Intermediate High School and was housed next door in the building currently occupied by Penrith Public School.

During its lifetime Penrith High School has developed a fine tradition within the city.  It is situated on 7 hectares of land in the commercial heart of Penrith.  The school is conscious of its history and its place in the Penrith District - it is a heritage we are committed to maintaining and enhancing.  Currently, the school has special standing as the academic selective high school for the wider Penrith Area - designated a selective high school in 1989, Penrith High School became fully selective in 1994.

The  intake of selective students is 150 per year and enrolment is maintained at 900 students each year.  Our students come from an area extending from the Blue Mountains to Parramatta, from the Hawkesbury District to St Clair and beyond. 

Our school's purpose is to develop both academic and personal excellence, along with a strong sense of social responsibility.

Our school strives for:

• A secure and inspiring learning environment for students and staff;

• Excellence in teaching and learning;

• The recognition and celebration of achievement and personal success;

• Fair and respectful treatment and equal opportunity for students and for staff;

• A productive partnership between students, parents, staff and the community.

As a school community we value and promote:

• A love of learning and a commitment to quality;

• An exciting and challenging learning environment that encourages all students to achieve their personal best;

• Participation in a wide variety of co-curricular learning experiences;

• Developing links with our community and our world through joint projects, student exchange programs and the Internet;

• Opportunities for student participation in school leadership, governance and student peer support and welfare programs;

• Strong student self-esteem, respect for and understanding of the views of others and a well-developed social conscience.

Penrith High has consistently achieved the highest level of HSC results in the outer Western Sydney and Blue Mountains areas.  Each year, several HSC students achieve Premier's Awards in recognition of their excellent results across all courses.  Many students are also recognised in the Distinguished Achievers Lists published in the media.  In addition, several students are awarded scholarships at a range of universities each year.

We are also proud of our students' outstanding achievements in sport, in the creative and performing arts, in academic competitions and in a wide range of leadership opportunities.

Year 6 Students wishing to enrol in the school in Year 7 sit for the Selective High Schools examination in March each year.  Applications for any vacancies which occur in Years 8 - 12 through the year are made in July each year.  Application forms are available from the school's Reception Office at the school or from the Selective Schools Unit in June.

The school held an Open Night on Thursday, 21st May, 2009 and an Information Evening for prospective students and their parents will be held on Tuesday, 8th September, 2009.

Contact Us:
Phone: (02) 47 210 529 or (02) 47 210 530
Fax: (02) 47 212 722

Street Address: 158-240 High St, Penrith, NSW 2750

Postal Address: PO Box 548 Penrith, NSW 2751
Email: penrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Contact Selective Schools Unit

NSW Department of Education and Training

Phone: (02) 9707 6262

Fax: (02) 9707 6265

Postal Address: PO Box 6109, Milperra DC 1891

Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au