How To Transfer To Penrith Selective In Years 8 -11 | Selective Schools Guide

Looking to apply for Penrith High School in Years 8-11? In this guide, we outline how to transfer to Penrith Selective in years 8-11 for different year groups and the limits on student numbers.

Who can apply to transfer to Penrith Selective in Years 8-11?

Anybody can apply, but the limited number 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 Penrith in Years 8-11

There is an opportunity for students to enter the school in years 8 to 11 with a direct application to the school. Please note that Penrith does not accept any enrolments into year 12.

Application steps

The application process involves a(n):

1. Written application
2. Written exam: High Ability Selection Test (HAST)
3. Interview

Key dates

• The closing date for 2022 applications is Friday 16 July 2021 at 3pm.
• The written exam is held on Saturday 7th August 2021
• Applications will not be accepted after this date or time.

Written Application

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

Written Exam

High Ability Selection Test (HAST)

The HAST contains different levels. Year 7 students hoping to gain entry in Year 8 need to sit the Junior Secondary HAST test. Years 8 and 9 students hoping to gain entry in Year 9 and 10 respectively, need to sit the Middle Secondary HAST test. Years 10 and 11 students hoping to gain entry in Year 11 and 12 respectively need to sit the Senior Secondary test.

The HAST tests all contain four components:

• Mathematical Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension
• Abstract Reasoning
• Written Expression
  • Part One: Discursive Task
  • Part Two: Creative Task

Many selective schools use the HAST as part of their selection criteria for students. This includes:

• North Sydney Girls High School
• Hornsby Girls High School
• Hurlstone Agricultural High School
• Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus
• St George Girls High School
• Gosford High School
• Caringbah High School
• Fort Street High School (For Year 11 entry)
• Girraween High School
• Baulkham Hills

Where you pay for and sit the HAST will depend on which school you note down as your highest preference.

This is explained on the Penrith High School website:

If your first preference is Penrith Selective High School, you will need to apply and pay for the test at Penrith Selective High School prior to the closing date. Your child will then sit the test at Penrith Selective High School.

If your first preference from the list below is not Penrith Selective High School you must apply, pay for and sit the test at the school you nominate on your application form as your first preference. If Penrith Selective High School is your second or third preference, you must still submit an application form to us so we can register your preference. However, you cannot sit the test at Penrith Selective High School if we are not your first preference.

Interview

Students and their parents may need to attend an interview with members of the school selection committee.

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 on what constitutes a valid reason can be found, here.