Why choose us?
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts is a partially selective (in Dance, Music and Drama), co-educational, comprehensive government high school located on Gadigal Land approximately 5 kms southwest of Sydney.
We strive for excellence in everything we do. Our school is a dynamic learning community committed to providing an engaging, safe and enjoyable educational environment. We have a harmonious diverse population and our parent and community support is outstanding.
At Newtown High School of the Performing Arts we recognise that creativity is essential to the human experience and integral to all learning. Our goal is to inspire a lifelong love of learning. Our core school values of excellence, creativity and equity foster students’ academic, creative and social potential.
Enrol today
Ready to enrol? You can apply online or visit our school in person. Join our school community today!
Why families choose us
A strong start
We help every child feel safe, included and confident from their very first day.
Support for every family
Our teachers and learning and wellbeing support teams work with our families. We co-design plans that help students learn in the way that works best for them.
High quality education
We offer our students a wide range of subjects and opportunities. This empowers them to learn, develop skills, and discover their passions.
Easy to access
Located in Newtown, our school is easy to access by public transport, walking or driving. This makes every day at school more convenient for our families.
What we can offer your child
Student success
Our school provides a high-quality, low-cost education that supports every child’s growth. We’re proud of our students’ success in learning, competitions and life beyond school.
- participation in a range of competitions
- success in life beyond school
- active community members
- growth through high potential and gifted education
- striving for personal improvement.
A world of opportunities
We offer a wide range of programs and experiences to help them thrive. From STEM and sport to the creative arts and more, our broad curriculum encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
- excursions
- incursions
- extra-curricular activities
- a wide variety of subjects.
Tailored learning support
We know every child learns in their own way. That’s why we provide tailored learning support to help each student do their best. Our programs meet different student needs. This includes high potential and gifted students, students with additional needs or disability, and those who need wellbeing support. At our school, your child will get the support they need to succeed.
- student learning support officers (SLSO) in the classroom
- teaching and learning adjustments
- extension activities for students who need extra challenge
- wellbeing and counselling support.
A welcoming community
Our school is a place where students from all backgrounds feel safe, respected and part of the community. We value diversity and fairness. Your child will learn and grow in a school that celebrates who they are. We prepare students to be confident, well-rounded global citizens.
- supporting students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
- celebrating Harmony Day
- incorporating culturally inclusive school events
- ensuring cultural safety for all students.
Current examples of opportunities at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts.
- Wide reading/Renaissance reading
- English Extension I and II courses
- Acting of plays
- Presenting speeches
- Film making
- Public speaking
- Premier’s Debating Challenge
- Digital times Showcase elective
- Streaming classes in stage 4 and Stage 5 - 5.1 -5.3
- Mathematics Extension I and II courses
- Mega Mathematics Day to The University of Sydney
- Mathspace - extension style questions
- World of Maths Day
- Rich Learning Tasks
- Science club
- University of Sydney excursions
- STILE online learning platform
- STEM excursions
- Engineers without Borders: Year 8 workshop
- Young Australians’ Cancer Initiative (YACI) workshops
- Excursions to Symbio Wildlife Park, Taronga Zoo, Luna Park
- History Extension course
- Mock Trial team
- Public speaking
- HSIE libraries
- HSC Student Conferences
- USYD Excursion
- Self-directed creative tasks
- Extension activities
- Model UN
- Differentiated assessment tasks
- National History and Geography competitions
- External partners including Messina (Food Technology)
- Sustainability in Textiles and Design, Design and Technology and Food Technology
- Vegetable and herb garden growing their own food for use within the kitchens and using aromatic indigenous plants
- Self-directed learning activities
- Project Based learning allowing for differentiation
- After school workshops
- Alignment with industry standards and best practices such as the laser cutter
- Access to emerging technologies, such as 3D printers
- Specialised manufacturing and fabrication services
- Auditioning students for selective Year 7 and 11 Dance intake.
- Years 8-12 Classical Ballet courses.
- Year 9 and 10 Dance Extension courses.
- Co-Curricular Dance and Classical Ballet Program - entry via audition.
- Showcase performances in semester I and II
- Students represented in School Spectacular
- Lighthouse Dance Project - 2 day senior program in tertiary Dance career pathways.
- In The Spotlight Dance Festival - Performance extension opportunity.
- State Dance Festival - Arts Unit selected
- HSC Callback - exemplary HSC Dance student works.
- USA Dance Tour - Biennial overseas tour providing further tertiary and career dance opportunities.
- Regular masterclasses and choreographed work opportunities led by industry professionals.
- Auditioning students for selective Year 7 and 11 Music class intake.
- Year 8 Musical Vitae
- Year 9 and 10 Extension Music classes
- Music 1, 2 and Extension courses in stage 6
- Songwriting, Like a Version and Digital Video Production courses
- Auditioned ensembles including single stage ensembles (e.g Junior Choir) and mixed stage ensembles (e.g Symphony Orchestra)
- Showcase performances in semester I and II, Concert seasons, Gala Finale (large scope projects)
- Band Festival Competitions, Sydney Eisteddfod, ASBOF
- State recognition in: Opera House, Town Hall, Manly Jazz festival, Cantabile Festival, Seymour Centre performance, Arts Unit
- Offering instrumental, vocal and theoretical tutoring
- Professional links for students through visits from composers and performers
- Industry workshops: APRA, Composition workshops
- Cross collaborative projects eg school musical, Dance and Music performances
- Auditioning students for selective Year 7 and 11 Drama class intake.
- ear 9 and 10 Extension Drama subjects
- Arts Unit Drama Companies and Ensembles
- Company program in Stage 4, 5 and 6
- Showcase performances in semester I and II
- Gala Finale Performances
- Student led and student directed performances
- Director and Designer mentorships
- Workshops with various organisations such as ITS and Physical Theatre
- Certificate 3 Entertainment
- Workshops and Masterclasses with NIDA
- ATYP Partnerships and internships
- Productions with Industry Professionals
- Regional and State Drama Festival performances
- Film festivals such as Bloodfest, Film by the city, Flicker festival and My State Film festival
- Filming opportunities with various arts and community organisations.
- Industry Casting opportunities
- Targeted Masterclasses
- Targeted excursions e.g. Sydney Modern, White Rabbit Gallery
- Opportunities to enter competitions and art prizes
- Exhibition of work in the NHSPA gallery
- NAS Intensive workshops and support for attendance of HSC Extension program.
- Showcase posters
- Personal Interest Projects
- Year 9 Photography course
- Bundanon HPGE camp (years 8-11) and exhibition
- Extracurricular competitions and programs for individual and teams (Sydney East, NSW State and National Levels)
- Sport trials for extracurricular sports
- Bstreetsmart & Breel
- Coaching NHSPA primary school students
- Before and after school training programs
- Year 9 and 10 PASS elective subject
- External providers for school sport allow students to further explore specialised movement options
- Alliance Française excursions and Little Snail French Restaurant
- Kwiziq Online French Subscription for senior classes and HPG students in Stages 4 and 5
- Tricolore Kerboodle Online Learning Platform (Interactive Language exercises)
- University of Sydney NAFT HSC Study Skill Day
- NAFT HSC Speaking Preparation Workshops
- JSTOR, Artstor, Drama online- journal access
- Digital and online magazines
- Wheelers eBooks and audiobooks
- Clickview
- Mentoring and research for extension students
- Literacy sessions to support faculty tasks
- Learning and Support
- Wellbeing program
- Peer support program (Year 7)
- School counsellor
- School Support Officer
- Role-playing club
- LGBTQIA+ club
- Transition programs Year 6 to 7 and 10 into 11)
- Showcase electives Year 9
- Sydney Park Project (Science, Maths, Dance and HSIE)
- DEAN Project (Science, PDHPE, Maths, Dance)
- Prefect-led newspaper
- Debating
- Public speaking
- Writing competitions
- Core and extension choirs
- School Musicals
- Students represented in the Arts Unit companies and ensembles
- Year 9 and 10 Mentoring program
- Year 8/11 Coaching Program
- Year 12 student/teacher mentor program
- NHSPA students adjudicate and coach Newtown Public School debating
- RAISE mentoring
-
Peer and self-nomination for:
- S.E.E.D team
- Prefects and school captains
-
House captains and vice-captains
-
Duke of Edinburgh
-
Peer support program (Year 10 students)
-
Performing Arts Leadership opportunities: Performing Arts Prefects, student conductors where appropriate, performance soloists (eg Town Hall performance), some ensembles with student leaders; choir section leaders, orchestral and SWE section leaders
- NHSPA Careers expo
- University information sessions
- Work experience opportunities/workshops
- One-on-one career interviews
- Career mentoring for future pathways
- Scholarships
- Early-entry mentoring of specific degrees
Stories and highlights
Hear about stories, wins and proud moments from our staff and students.
Policies and reports
Discover our local school policies, reports and plans.