Ascham School, Edgecliff NSW
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Visit us—virtually!
Ascham girls share one 5-hectare campus in the Sydney eastern suburb of Edgecliff. From their earliest years to completing their HSC, our girls enjoy all our campus has to offer and in easy reach of Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, buses, trains and ferries, and the activities and excitement of Sydney on our doorstep.
Our boarders live at the heart of our School, creating a vibrant sense of community for everyone. They have access to all of the School’s facilities as well as local transport and Sydney’s wider social, arts and entertainment offerings.
Take a look at all we have to offer without leaving your couch via our range of virtual tours.
- Primary School
- Secondary School
- Primary - Year 12 School
- Non-denominational
Yes
Girls
Boarding Available
- Academic Achievement
A COMBINATION OF STRENGTHS
A distinct difference
We are proudly a girls’ school without religious affiliation, centred around strong values, a focus on academic excellence and a culture of positive leadership.
Our inspiring environment embodies the spirit of community and inclusivity, and every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential thanks to our teaching platform, the commitment of our staff and a powerful combination of lessons, initiatives, workshops and activities.
A REWARDING EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK
A Dalton education
Ascham is the only school in Australia to use the Dalton Plan and it sits at the heart of our teaching and learning. This unique framework provides girls with an extraordinary skillset, not only for school but also in preparing them for life beyond the School gates.
Our teaching philosophy embraces its four key principles—independence, collaboration, responsibility and reflection—to inspire classroom learning and encourage a goal-oriented mindset.
“The evidence is gathering that women in single-gender classes benefit, and they benefit significantly…”
Prof Alison Booth, Public Policy Fellow, ANU Crawford School of Public Policy.
Ascham is proudly a girls’ school, with an environment that nurtures self-confidence, resilience and participation—attributes that result in better learning and enhanced outcomes.
There is strong evidence globally that single-sex education for girls leads to higher academic achievement, greater confidence, more participation and grander aspirations. Every aspect of our teaching and learning environment is tailored specifically to the needs and preferences of girls which, combined with the framework of the Dalton Plan and our Vi et Animo ethos, develops a strong sense of empowerment and determination in our girls.
The outcomes we realise are many and varied, and all held up by research:
- Higher confidence and greater self-esteem
- Greater pursuit of STEM subjects
- Comfortable in her body image and being herself
- Less bullying and greater respect
The vibrant Ascham environment enables every girl to feel included and equal, so she grows and flourishes through her School years and beyond.
Now more than ever, students on their educational journeys need guidance and structure, to develop firm foundations and relevant abilities both academically and personally. They must delve more deeply into their learning and seek clarity through questioning and collaboration. Just as importantly, they need to retain a sense of balance and positivity as they navigate the challenges of School life and their own development.
The Dalton Plan at Ascham is the perfect platform for our girls to manage this successfully. It promotes regular interaction between students and teachers, and provides plenty of opportunities for in-depth collaboration and reflection. through which our girls develop a real sense of responsibility and independence.
Our approach to academic excellence
Our teaching philosophy embraces the four principles of the Dalton Plan—collaboration, responsibility, reflection and independence. Together, these ‘pillars’ inspire classroom learning and individual development, and present personal challenges that develop academic potential. We encourage her to stretch herself and stumble along the way, applying effort to meet the demands of the curriculum and striving for her best in whatever pursuits she follows.
Throughout her time, our vibrant learning environment and strong community network build personal confidence, develop social connection and instil a well-developed sense of being.
This ethos stays with our girls well beyond their lives at Ascham, sustaining their tertiary studies and subsequent careers, whatever their abilities and aspirations.
Vi et Animo — uniquely Ascham
At Ascham, to ‘do well at school’ means much more than just succeeding academically—something that can only happen when a girl feels connected, balanced and well socially, emotionally and physically.
A wide range of lessons, initiatives, workshops and activities combine to our unique Vi et Animo wellbeing program, central to every girl’s education at Ascham.
Academic buoyancy is vital for every girl: they enjoy School life more completely as they become more resilient, with greater capacity for coping with the everyday setbacks that are a natural and essential part of learning and growing.
Education with strong value
We focus firmly on maintaining a positive, inclusive culture, guiding girls to develop core values, positive attitudes and respectful behaviours that lead to a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. We actively encourage our girls, staff, parents and Ascham Old Girls to display:
Respect and Kindness
Treat others as you wish to be treated. Display warmth, friendliness and generosity.
Collaboration and Community
Be both leaders and team players. Understand that the world is interdependent and seek to help others.
Courage and Resilience
Step forward to support what you believe is right. Treat setbacks as opportunities to learn and move forward.
Acceptance and Responsibility
Celebrate diversity and provide an environment that is supportive and inclusive. Own your own actions and recognise their potential influence.
Ambition
Show enthusiasm and appreciate challenge by setting goals.
Learning and living on campus
Ascham accommodates all girls in a single, 5-hectare campus in Edgecliff. From their earliest years to completing their HSC, girls call this central location home and are in easy reach of Sydney Harbour, Bondi Beach, buses, trains and ferries, and all the activities and excitement that Sydney has to offer.
Our boarders also live right at the heart of the School, creating a real sense of community for everyone.
They have access to all of the School’s facilities as well as local transport and Sydney’s wider social, arts and entertainment offerings.
Welcome
to living at Ascham!
Living at School is a very special experience—since 1887 generations of Ascham boarders have thrived at School and beyond the gates, become brave learners and forged friendships that last a lifetime.
Ascham cares for over 120 boarders from Years 7 to 12, with the majority from country NSW and some from Sydney suburbs, interstate and overseas.
Our boarding girls certainly get the most from School life: they live in comfortable, well-appointed boarding houses right at the heart of Ascham with supervised academic, weekend activity and wellbeing programs keeping them busy and engaged right through the School year. Sport plays a key role in a boarder’s life and the girls enjoy Saturday sport and competitions across Sydney. Day families help out with their transport building strong bonds between our day girls and boarders.
Head of Boarding
Our overall priority is ensuring the wellbeing of boarders during their time at School: it is vitally important that they feel secure, comfortable and happy in their surroundings and themselves. Our Wellbeing framework, Vi et animo provides a well-established and immersive program that seeks to build and retain personal balance, grit and a sense of positivity for our girls, both in their academic pursuits and in developing their passions outside the classroom.
When the time comes for our boarders to finally say farewell to School, they leave with rich memories of their boarding experiences, embedded values for lifelong learning and a strong set of friendships for life.
Meet our Head of School
“I believe passionately in the education of young women and I have the great pleasure of seeing our staff and students alike truly epitomise our motto, Vi et Animo—with heart and soul—in their teaching and development.”
‘The commitment of our staff, parents and Ascham Old Girls creates a nurturing, exciting atmosphere in which your daughter will grow. We are united in our vision of equipping our girls with the qualities necessary to make a significant difference in the world.'
A warm welcome from Andrew Powell
I am delighted to introduce you to Ascham. Since its foundation in 1886, and thanks to the unique approach of the Dalton Plan, Ascham has continued to be a centre of excellence for girls’ education and we uphold this standard proudly.
Ascham is a school known for its exceptional academic program, inclusivity and inspiring environment for day and boarding students. This environment provides your daughter with every means to become a passionate learner and develop into a self-reliant, confident and brave young woman with a sense of purpose in the world.
Andrew Powell
Head of School
Her days will be filled with interactive and challenging learning together with opportunities to develop her talents within our wide range of co-curricular activities, including a broad choice of Sports, Music, Drama, Debating and more. From international exchange programs and tours, school-based leadership and support programs, to House and Sister networks and community projects, her resilience will build as we help her develop the confidence to stretch herself and give her the security to stumble.
Combining this ethos with the commitment of our staff, parents and Ascham Old Girls, creates a nurturing, exciting atmosphere in which your daughter will grow. We are united in our vision of equipping our girls with the qualities necessary to make a significant difference in the world.
I look forward to welcoming you and your daughter to Ascham.
Overseas students
Ascham welcomes a small number of overseas students who wish to study in Australia under a student visa.
The process
For students who study English as a second language, an AEAS test report must be submitted to the Director of Enrolments and Community prior to any application.
Ascham will determine the year group and courses appropriate for a student, based on:
- AEAS test results (Stanine score of 8-9)
- a visit to the School meeting with key staff
- an examination
- an interview with our Head of School
- information related to the student’s academic profile.
Entry to other Year levels depends on the availability of places and applications for these should be discussed with the Director of Enrolments and Community prior to submission.
Girls entering the School from Prep to Year 6 must live with their parents in Sydney. Girls entering from Year 7 to Year 10 must either be enrolled as a boarder or reside with their parents in Sydney. The School does not accept applications for new students commencing in Year 11 or students in Homestay accommodation.
Please contact our Enrolments Office to begin the enrolment process.
Ascham School, Edgecliff NSW
Edgecliff,
New South Wales
