A structured teaching model at Balgowlah Boys High School has driven a sharp rise in HSC English performance, positioning the school among the state’s top achievers.
Turning Point in Balgowlah
When Paul Sheather began leading Balgowlah Boys High in 2009, the school faced low enrolment and was ranked last in a local HSC league table. With fewer than 400 students and minimal academic recognition, the school underwent a significant transformation.
Over more than a decade, enrolment grew to approximately 1140 students, with consistent academic gains recognised in official results.
Focused Rules and Structured Teaching
Three clear rules—respect fellow students, complete classwork, and follow teacher instructions—form the foundation of the school’s approach. Academic performance, particularly in English, has shown measurable improvement. In 2024, Balgowlah Boys High recorded a 42 per cent Band 6 rate in Advanced and Extension English, placing it in the top 20 comprehensive schools for the subject.
Daily 20-minute sessions on grammar, spelling, and reading comprehension support literacy outcomes. A cross-faculty program for sentence construction, developed by a former English teacher turned deputy principal, forms a key part of the literacy strategy.
Challenges in Boys’ Literacy
A 2025 national report on boys’ education identified consistent underperformance among male students in writing and reading, particularly during the transition from primary to high school. Boys were twice as likely to fall into the lowest performance bands in literacy, with a widening gap in reading enjoyment from Year 4 onwards.
The report noted that education policies had not substantially addressed boys’ academic challenges since the last federal review in 2002.
Comparison With Other Schools
Balgowlah Boys’ 42 per cent Band 6 success rate in 2024 placed it alongside high-performing schools such as Willoughby Girls (48 per cent) and Killarney Heights High (52 per cent). In contrast, some other comprehensive schools reported lower rates, including Burwood Girls (36 per cent) and Carlingford High (28 per cent).
Facilities and Academic Balance
The campus includes dedicated rooms for science, construction, music, and the arts, along with a gymnasium and a senior common room. Smartboards are installed in every teaching space. A wide range of co-curricular activities—chess, drama, music, debating, and leadership programs—are available.
Students are expected to participate actively across academic, cultural, sporting, and extra-curricular areas. The school’s philosophy is focused on preparing students with the skills and confidence to engage in broader society.
Balgowlah Boys High continues to apply structured, explicit teaching practices that align with classroom management and literacy development. The school’s approach is based on routine, clarity, and engagement across disciplines.
Published 12-Apr-2025
