How To Transfer To James Ruse In Years 8 -11 | Schools Guide

Looking to apply for James Ruse Agricultural High School in Years 8-11? In this guide, we outline the processes for different year groups and the limits on students.

Who can apply for James Ruse in Years 8-11?

Anybody can apply, but the limited numbers of students accepted means only the highest quality applicants are considered.

Typically, the following number of places are offered:

Need help preparing a stronger application?

Download our Selective School Application planner to compile the best application you can.

The application process for entering Ruse in Years 8-10

There is an opportunity for students to enter the school in years 8 to 10 with a direct application to the school. Please note that James Ruse does not accept any enrolments into year 12.

Key dates

• The closing date for 2020 applications is Friday 26 July 2019 at 3:15 pm.
• Applications received by mail or in person will not be accepted after this date or time.

Application steps

The application process involves a(n):

1. Written Application
2. Interview

• The closing date for 2020 applications is Friday 26 July 2019 at 3:15 pm.
• Applications received by mail or in person will not be accepted after this date or time.

Written Application

There are two parts to the written application:

1. Department of Education Year 8 to 12 Entry to Selective High Schools Application Form
2. JRAHS Additional Information

1. DoE Year 8 to 12 Entry to Selective High Schools Application form

Candidates must submit a separate application to each selective school (up to 3) they wish to apply for. When applications are open, the form will be available here. In this written application, students are required to supply copies of:

• Most recent 3 school reports, i.e. half-yearly report for the current year, and the half-yearly and yearly reports for the previous year. If the half-yearly report for the current year is not available at the time of submission, applicants are required to provide it as soon as possible by email, post or directly to the school office.
• Most recent NAPLAN report
• Results for Valid Science 8 and/or Valid Science 10 if their school participated in these tests.
• Selective Schools and/or OC test results
• External academic achievements for the past 2 years. This could include certificates and competition results from ICAS, RACI and AMT
• Evidence of participation in extracurricular activities

In addition, students applying to James Ruse must also write a response to the question: ‘Why do you wish the student to attend an agricultural high school?’.

2. James Ruse Agricultural High School additional information

This form is unique to James Ruse and can be found here. Students are requested to complete it in their own handwriting.

In the past, the form has asked students to include information about:

• The schools the student has attended
• Whether any of the applicant’s siblings have attended James Ruse AHS
• The student’s travel plans to and from school and the time of these journeys
• Their strengths
• Their reasons for wanting to attend James Ruse AHS
• Their extracurricular activities and how this has helped them grow personally
• Reflecting on situations where the student has adhered hardship
• How the student will uphold the school’s values: ASPIRE (Acceptance, Service, Integrity, Respect, Endeavour)

Interview

Students and their parents will need to attend an interview with the Principal and the Head Teacher Wellbeing. During the interview, students and their parents will be asked questions about:

• Favourite and least favourite subjects
• Ability to cope with workloads
• Studying agriculture
• Interest in extra-curricular activities
• Electives and subjects
• Past leadership and extra-curricular activities

Entering Ruse in Year 11

A student wishing to enter James Ruse Agricultural High School in Year 11 will go through a similar process as their 8-10 peers. However, they will also need to sit an entrance exam run by Edutest.

Edutest entrance exam

The Edutest entrance exam is comprised of 4 sections:

1. Verbal Reasoning
2. Numerical Reasoning
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Mathematics

Each section will have 40 – 60 questions.

Students who want practice with the exam can purchase access to practice tests, here.

Selection process

Applications are considered by a committee including the principal and two teacher assessors.

Outcomes and offers

Students will either be:

• Offered a place
• Put on a reserved list
• Told they were not successful qualifying for a place
• Told there are no vacancies for that year.

 Offers

Students who receive an offer should complete their responses as soon as possible as they lapse if not received by the due date.

Offers will be rescinded if the student does not enrol on day 1.

Offers will be cancelled if false or misleading information is provided to gain admission.

Appeals for review

It is possible to appeal the selection committee’s decision. Information of what constitutes a valid reason can be found, here.

Daniel’s experience on joining James Ruse in Year 11

Matrix Graduate Daniel Chang was successfully admitted into James Ruse Agricultural High School in Year 11, and describes the transition from his previous school, Fort Street High School:

“At first I thought it would be difficult trying to assimilate into a new environment. However, the existing students were friendly and extremely approachable. All schools share overlapping traits which really does help incoming students.

Entering a new environment does not mean EVERYTHING is new.

There are many characteristics of a new school that I’m sure you’ll be familiar with. For me, I found myself fully adapted to the new school in no time. The transition really isn’t as bad as you think!”

You can find out more about his experience here.