Wenona School is an independent, non-denominational school for girls on the lower north shore of Sydney, teaching from Kindergarten to Year 12 across day and boarding places at its North Sydney campus on Walker Street. Founded in 1886 by Edith Hooke as Woodstock School and settled at its Walker Street site in 1922, it educates around 1,350 girls, including a small boarding community of roughly 50 in the senior years. It sits in the upper tier of the Sydney market on fees and carries a heritage of close to 140 years, with the motto Ut Prosim, that I may serve, shaping a strong service ethos.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | New South Wales curriculum leading to the HSC |
| Stages | Kindergarten to Year 12, day and boarding, girls only |
| Founded | 1886 (as Woodstock School) |
| Affiliation | Independent and non-denominational; HSC through NESA |
| Fee band | Upper tier, with a further boarding charge |
| Location | 176 Walker Street, North Sydney |
Curriculum and academics
Wenona teaches the New South Wales curriculum set by NESA, with senior girls working towards the Higher School Certificate across the full breadth of English, mathematics, the sciences, the humanities, languages and the creative and performing arts. It is not an American or International Baccalaureate school, so families who specifically want a US high school programme should read our American curriculum guide and weigh schools that offer that pathway, while those drawn to the IB should compare other Sydney options.
Academic life is paired with a wide co-curricular programme spanning sport, music, debating and service, in keeping with the school's Ut Prosim motto. Wenona reports a strong HSC record, though parents should ask for the most recent cohort results rather than rely on reputation alone. For the wider field, see our editorial pick of the best international schools in Sydney, several of which compete for the same lower north shore families.
Want the full cost picture before you apply?
Our fees explorer breaks down tuition, registration, deposits and the extras that sit on top of headline figures across Sydney schools. Free and independent.
Boarding
Wenona offers boarding for girls in the senior years, with a small residential community of around 50 boarders alongside its much larger day population. The boarding house gives girls from regional New South Wales and from international families a base close to the city and the school, and its modest size means a close knit residential community rather than a large boarding operation. Places are limited, so families considering boarding should discuss availability, pastoral arrangements and weekend life directly with the school, as cohort numbers are set year to year.
Wenona School fees
Wenona sits in the upper tier of Sydney schooling, with day fees that climb through the year groups and an additional charge for boarding places that reflects residential costs. The school publishes a current fee schedule by year level, and senior tuition is higher than the junior years, as is typical across the city. We do not reproduce a figure here because fees are revised annually and we never publish a number we cannot verify against the current schedule.
Our Sydney international school fees guide places this band in context against the premium and mid fee parts of the market, so you can see where Wenona sits relative to other options. Beyond tuition, budget for a registration and enrolment fee, a building or capital levy, uniforms and trips, and for boarders the residential fee, and confirm the current schedule directly with the school.
Admissions
Wenona has a non-selective enrolment policy but is a popular school, so families are advised to register interest well ahead of the intended start year. The principal entry stages are Kindergarten, the early primary years and Year 7, with limited places at other points where they arise. Admission typically involves registration, age and stage appropriate assessment or familiarisation, school reports and an interview. Boarding places are limited and should be discussed early with the admissions team, particularly for families relocating from regional Australia or overseas.
Location and who goes there
The campus sits at 176 Walker Street in North Sydney, on the lower north shore close to the central business district and well served by trains, buses and ferries across the harbour. Day families cluster across the lower north shore, from North Sydney and Cremorne to Mosman, Neutral Bay and Lane Cove, while boarders come from regional New South Wales and from international families who want an established girls school near the city. The community is one that values a single sex environment for girls, a strong service ethos and a central, transport rich location.
For a full view of how Wenona fits the wider city, including curriculum mix, fee tiers and where families settle, start with the Sydney city hub.
Wenona School reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Wenona School. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended the school we would value your account of admissions, teaching, boarding, pastoral care and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Wenona School fees?
Wenona sits in the upper tier of Sydney private schooling, with day fees that rise through the year groups and an additional charge for boarding places. The school publishes a current fee schedule by year level, so confirm the latest day and boarding figures directly with the school before you budget.
What curriculum does Wenona School follow?
Wenona follows the New South Wales curriculum set by NESA and prepares senior girls for the Higher School Certificate. It is not an American or International Baccalaureate school, so families who want a US or IB pathway should compare other Sydney options.
Is Wenona School a girls school?
Yes. Wenona is an independent, non-denominational school for girls, teaching from Kindergarten to Year 12 on its North Sydney campus, with a small boarding community in the senior years.
Does Wenona School offer boarding?
Yes. Wenona offers boarding for girls in the senior years, with a small residential community alongside its larger day population. Boarding places are limited, so discuss them with the admissions team well ahead of the intended entry year.
Where is Wenona School located in Sydney?
Wenona is at 176 Walker Street in North Sydney, on the lower north shore close to the central business district and well served by public transport across the harbour.
