The suburb of Hornsby School on Sydney’s Upper North Shore is home to several notable public schools. This page covers key term dates and information for the main secondary and primary schools in the Hornsby area.
Based on the school described in this post — selective, academic excellence, heritage building, co-curricular programmes — Hornsby Girls High School is the primary focus below, with additional information on the recently co-educational Hornsby High School.
Hornsby Girls High School
Hornsby Girls High School (HGHS) is a government-funded, academically selective secondary school for girls, located in Hornsby, on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Founded in 1930, the school has a long tradition of excellence in girls’ education spanning nearly a century.
The school is academically selective, consistently ranked among the top ten performing schools in NSW in Higher School Certificate (HSC) results and regularly ranked first in the Hornsby region. Its main building is heritage-listed, reflecting the school’s historical significance to the local community.
Hornsby Girls High School’s vision is “excellence in girls’ education”, with seven shared values developed in partnership with students, parents, and teachers: Kindness, Resilience, Inclusivity, Social Responsibility, Personal Bests, Intellectual Curiosity, and Respect. These values are reinforced through the school’s “Owl Awards” system and individual personal-best goal setting throughout the year.
Unique School Culture
The school prides itself on a richly multicultural community, representing 48 cultural groups — celebrated annually through the school’s Multicultural Fair, which brings together students, families, and community members. Additional community events include four Grounds and Garden Days each year and Mother and Daughter Movie Nights, reflecting the school’s strong parent body.
A dedicated Old Girls’ Union maintains links with alumni going back decades, while an active Student Representative Council (SRC) and Prefect Body ensure democratic student voice in school practices.
High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE)
HGHS offers a dedicated Inspire programme for High Potential and Gifted Education, designed to develop students’ creative, relational, leadership, academic, and physical skills beyond the standard curriculum. The school also integrates gifted education into everyday classroom practice, ensuring all students are appropriately extended in their learning.
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Hornsby, NSW, Australia |
| hornsbygir-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au | |
| Website | hornsbygir-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
| School type | Government, selective, girls’ secondary school |
| Year levels | Years 7 – 12 |
| Founded | 1930 |
Enrolment at Hornsby Girls High School
Entry to Year 7 is by a statewide selective placement test administered by the NSW Selective Education Unit. Applications for Year 7 entry in 2027 opened in November 2025 and closed in February 2026. The selective placement test for 2027 entry was held in May 2026.
For Years 8-11 entry, students sit the Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST) developed by ACER. Applications for 2027 entry in Years 8-11 opened on 17 June 2026, with a closing date of 24 July 2026. The test is held at Hornsby Girls High School on Saturday 8 August 2026, commencing at 9:30 am. An administration fee of $140 applies.
The school maintains 120 places in each of Years 7-10, meaning new students can only enter these year groups if existing students leave.
Hornsby High School — Now Co-Educational (From 2026)
An important update for the Hornsby area: Hornsby High School (previously operating as Asquith Boys High School) became a co-educational high school from 27 January 2026, following a NSW Government decision as part of its $9 billion investment in NSW public schools. The school is led by Principal Bryce Grant and is currently undergoing major facility upgrades as part of the co-educational transition.
NSW Eastern Division Term Dates 2026 (All Hornsby-Area NSW Public Schools)
All Hornsby-area NSW public schools follow the NSW Department of Education’s Eastern Division calendar.
| Term | Start Date (Students) | End Date | School Development Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday, 2 February 2026 | Thursday, 2 April 2026 | Tue 27 Jan – Fri 30 Jan 2026 |
| Term 2 | Wednesday, 22 April 2026 | Friday, 3 July 2026 | Mon 20 Apr – Tue 21 Apr 2026 |
| Term 3 | Tuesday, 21 July 2026 | Friday, 25 September 2026 | Mon 20 July 2026 |
| Term 4 | Tuesday, 13 October 2026 | Thursday, 17 December 2026 | Mon 12 October 2026 |
NSW Eastern Division Term Dates 2027
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Thursday, 28 January 2027 | Friday, 9 April 2027 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 27 April 2027 | Friday, 2 July 2027 |
| Term 3 | Monday, 19 July 2027 | Friday, 24 September 2027 |
| Term 4 | Monday, 11 October 2027 | Monday, 20 December 2027 |
Note: ANZAC Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, so NSW does not observe a substitute Monday public holiday.
Last verified: 07 July 2026. Official source: NSW Department of Education — 2026 Term Dates and Hornsby Girls High School
Hornsby North and South Public Schools
For primary school families in the Hornsby area:
- Hornsby North Public School: (02) 9987 4605 | hornsbynth-p.schools.nsw.gov.au
- Hornsby South Public School: (02) 9489 2410 | hornsbysth-p.schools.nsw.gov.au
Both follow the same NSW Eastern Division term dates above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hornsby Girls High School a selective school?
Yes. Entry to Year 7 is by NSW-wide selective placement test, and Years 8-11 entry is via the Higher Ability Selection Test (HAST).
Has Hornsby High School changed recently?
Yes. From 27 January 2026, Hornsby High School became co-educational, having previously operated as Asquith Boys High School.
How many cultural groups are represented at Hornsby Girls High School?
The school community represents 48 different cultural groups, celebrated annually at the Multicultural Fair.
Who do I contact for enrolment at Hornsby Girls High School?
Visit hornsbygir-h.schools.nsw.gov.au for selective entry procedures, or contact the NSW Selective Education Unit for Year 7 placement enquiries.
Related New South Wales School Calendars
- Sydney Grammar School Calendar
- Artarmon Public School Calendar
- North Sydney Boys High School Calendar
- Parramatta High School Calendar
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