Sydney Grammar School
Sydney Grammar School is a non-denominational independent private school for boys located in Sydney, Australia.
One of the oldest and most famous schools in Australia, it continues to offer the "classic" or "grammar" type of education best described as a liberal, humane, pre-vocational education (as stated in their prospectus).
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1854, and opened in 1857, it has produced many of New South Wales's leading citizens in Law, Medicine, Business, Politics and Art.
Ex students of the school - known as "Old Sydneians" - include Prime Ministers Edmund Barton and William McMahon, author Banjo Paterson, Academy Award-winning cameraman Andrew Lesnie (Lord of the Rings 2002), Film editor Richard Francis-Bruce (Harry Potter 2001) and Julian McMahon, an actor and son of Prime Minister McMahon.
The school has a particular emphasis on music with many different performing groups formed from among the boys.
Sydney Grammar School is one of eight Sydney schools known collectively as the GPS Schools. GPS, or "Great Public Schools" sporting events are contested keenly, as are other disciplines, such as debating. Competition in rowing culminates in the Riverview Gold Cup (for Junior Crews) and the Head of the River for Senior Crews. Grammar participates in the Tri-Grammar Cup (Cricket) in which Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Grammar Schools each send a cricket team to compete for the title. Sydney Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar School compete for a "bat" in the same competition. The Sydney-Melbourne match dates back to 1876.
In 2001, a new rowing competition - the Tri-Grammar Series - was begun. A rowing regatta between Sydney Grammar School, Melbourne Grammar and Brisbane Grammar held in each city in rotation. To ensure a friendly atmosphere and spirit, each member of the host crew offers accommodation to their counterpart from a rival crew.
Other sports, notably Rugby, are played.
