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The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School

Australia, Melbourne

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 14 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1193
Type Girls School
Opened 1934
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum
Taught languages French, Japanese, Indonesian, German
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Mac.Robertson Girls' High School sits on grounds at 350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne, overlooking Albert Park. It is a government public, single‑sex girls' high school with selective entry for high‑ability students, serving ages 14–18. The school follows the Australian Curriculum with autonomous study and learning technologies. In Year 9, students study a full year in each Domain with core studies plus electives in Arts & Technology and Languages. In Year 10, students pursue breadth across Domains and select one stream per domain. Years 11–12 follow the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE); as of 2025, the IB program is no longer offered for new Mac.Rob students. The campus houses the Mac.Rob Hall, Kingsway Science Lab, and Wellbeing and Careers spaces; a Learning Resource Centre was opened with Lakeside expansion. A Baby Grand Piano supports the Music Department. Co-curricular life includes sport, concerts, plays, art exhibitions, and debating. Mentorship guides subject choices.

350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia

The Essentials

The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School has 1,193 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Located on Boon Wurrung country in the Naarm (Melbourne) area, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is on the grounds of Albert Park. The address is 350–370 Kings Way, Melbourne 3004. It is well served by public transport, near MSAC and the CBD.

Stages
Years 9–12; selective-entry high school for academically gifted students. It is a government selective-entry high school for high-ability learners.

Type
government public school; single-sex girls' high school; selective-entry

Additional learning support
Wellbeing services and learning support are provided, including a Connect program to support student wellbeing and social connections.

Country affiliation
Australia

School day structure
School day runs 8:20 am to 3:10 pm with six 54-minute periods per day.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform: The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School uniform is compulsory. The blazer must be worn to and from school; jumper is not to be worn as an outer garment. Summer: charcoal blazer with braid and badge; knee-length dress in school colours or plain white collared shirt with grey shorts; white knee-high socks; black lace-up shoes; red Year 9 & 10 or green Year 11 & 12 V-neck pullover. Winter: charcoal blazer; tartan skirt in school colours of grey, green and red (knee-length or longer) or trousers as an alternative; white shirt; tie; black tights; black shoes. A monogrammed school bag is required, and house badges may be worn as accessories.

Food Options
The School Canteen is open during recess and lunchtime; students may lodge lunch orders at the Canteen.

House System
Houses: Dryads (green), Naiads (blue), Nereids (white), and Oreads (red). A lunchtime House Activities Program includes approximately twenty activities, with inter-house competitions in sport and performance, including swimming, athletics, chorals and drama.

Governance and Ownership
The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is a government public school administered and funded by the Victorian Government and the Department of Education.
Fees
Application fees

- The school does not charge an application fee for enrolment; entry is by the Victorian selective-entry process for Years 9–12.

Tuition fees (by year group)

- There are no annual tuition fees for domestic students; Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is a government selective-entry day school. Voluntary parent payments (Curriculum Contributions, Other Contributions, Extra‑curricular Items and Tax‑deductible Donations) are requested each year and are tailored by year level.

Year‑by‑year contribution details (annual amounts; figures shown are the school's suggested contribution items and typical user‑pays charges as presented in the school's published Parent Payment guides)

- Year 9 (sample annual contribution items and suggested amounts):
- Student ID (Compass card): AUD 15.
- Locker hire: AUD 20.
- Curriculum consumables / shared resources: AUD 30.
- Library contribution: AUD 100.
- Mathematics contribution: AUD 40; Science: AUD 55; English: AUD 40; Languages: AUD 45; Health & PE: AUD 20 (total curriculum contributions example in the guide shown as AUD 200).
- Printing service: AUD 15.
- Technology support and ICT services (annual): AUD 258.
- Digital/online subscriptions (annual): AUD 32.
- Whole‑school events allocation (athletics, swimming, house events): AUD 50.
- Sample elective subject contributions (per year): The Arts AUD 45; Humanities AUD 25; Maths & Science electives AUD 22–25.
- Instrumental music program (items / hire): small consumables AUD 10–AUD 250 (instrument hire and bond where applicable); instrumental lesson fee examples shown across a range (e.g., individual lessons and ensemble fees noted in the schedule). Year 9 orientation camp example charge: AUD 465.

- Year 11 (sample annual contribution items and suggested amounts):
- Student ID (Compass card): AUD 15.
- Locker hire: AUD 20.
- Curriculum consumables / shared resources: AUD 30.
- Library contribution: AUD 100.
- Printing service: AUD 20.
- Technology support and ICT services (annual): AUD 258.
- Digital/online subscriptions (annual): AUD 32.
- Elective subject contribution examples (annual): Mathematics AUD 45; Science AUD 60; Humanities AUD 60; Languages AUD 70; The Arts AUD 80; Physical Education/Health AUD 65.
- Senior school programs (study skills, wellbeing workshops, leadership): AUD 30.
- Developmental EduTest (Year 11 diagnostic): AUD 55.
- IB Diploma (where applicable): total IB program cost shown as AUD 1,435 split across two years (example: AUD 725 in Year 11 and AUD 725 in Year 12).
- Instrumental music program details and lesson fee examples are listed as user‑pays (hire, bonds and lesson fees with a range of options).

- Year 12 (sample annual contribution items and suggested amounts):
- Student ID (Compass card): AUD 15.
- Locker hire: AUD 20.
- Library contribution: AUD 100.
- Printing service: AUD 20.
- Technology support and ICT services (annual): AUD 258.
- Digital/online subscriptions (annual): AUD 32.
- Elective subject contribution examples for Unit 3 & 4 subjects: Mathematics AUD 50; Sciences AUD 65; Humanities AUD 70; Languages AUD 75; The Arts and other senior electives AUD 80; Health & Human Development AUD 65; Physical Education AUD 20.
- Senior school programs and additional VCE‑related contributions are listed as specific line items in the Year 12 guide.

- Year 10 and IB Year 2: the school issues separate, year‑level Parent Payment Guides with the same structure (Curriculum Contributions; Other Contributions; Extra‑curricular Items; Tax‑deductible Donations). The school's payment guides for each year level specify the detailed line items and suggested amounts for that year.

How amounts are presented and billed (billing schedule and payment terms)

- Parent payments are voluntary contributions requested annually; families receive their year‑level Parent Payment Guide and are invited to make contributions once subjects/enrolments are confirmed (guides commonly advise contributions will be accepted around mid‑November after course confirmation). Contributions can be paid from the end of the school year into the coming year. Extra‑curricular items and user‑pays activities are billed on a user‑pays basis when the activity is offered.

- The school's Parent Payment Guides present contributions as annual amounts for each line item; some program fees (for example the IB Diploma) may be split across years as noted in the guide. User‑pays co‑curricular items (music lessons, camps, competitions) are charged when those programs are scheduled.

Refund information

- Refund requests are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Refunds are not generally available for items already purchased or costs already paid to third parties. The Parent Payment guides set out that the school will assess refund requests according to individual circumstances.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is a government selective day school for Years 9–12.

Other costs and compulsory items

- Uniform: a school uniform is required. Uniform items are supplied through the school's approved uniform supplier (Bob Stewart) and are a family cost outside the voluntary Parent Payment contributions. Second‑hand uniform support and hardship assistance routes are available through school support programs.

- BYOD / Personal device: families are expected to provide a suitable personal device that meets the school's specifications; costs for devices are the family's responsibility. The Parent Payment guides list recommended device features and that some software/subscription costs are covered in the digital/online subscriptions line item.

- Camps, excursions, competitions, musical instrument hire, instrumental lessons, IB program fees (where applicable), presentation night, school magazine, and specific elective consumables are charged as user‑pays items and are listed with indicative amounts in the year‑level payment guides. Example user‑pays charges include a Year 9 orientation camp (example AUD 465) and various instrumental lesson/hire fees (ranges shown in the guides).

Payment methods and payment plans

- Payment is processed through the school's Compass parent portal; the school also offers Compass payment plans and accepts credit card payments where enabled. Families with financial difficulty can discuss confidential support arrangements with the school's Business Manager or Accounts staff; separate hardship support (scholarships, state funds, State Schools' Relief) is available for eligible families.

Short summary of availability of 2026/27 information and how I used available schedules

- The school publishes specific Parent Payment Guides for each year level for 2026; those guides are listed in the school's Policies & Reports / Family Portal sections. The school's detailed year‑level contribution schedules (line items and suggested amounts) are provided in the Parent Payment Guides; where recent 2026 PDFs were not directly retrievable through the public links, the school's most recent fully accessible published Parent Payment contribution schedules (examples from 2022 for Years 9, 11 and 12) have been used here to present the detailed line items and indicative amounts families can expect. For current, year‑level billing and exact term/semester billing arrangements in 2026/27, the school's Parent Payment Guide for the relevant year level and the school's Compass billing notices provide the authoritative schedule and timing.
Academics

The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School teaches Australian Curriculum for students aged 14 to 18.

Curriculum
Mac.Rob is a vibrant learning community where students are guided to make autonomous study choices, with a curriculum that provides relevant and challenging educational opportunities enhanced by learning technologies and rigorous teaching. In Year 9, students undertake a full year of study in each Domain, with core studies plus electives, and preferences are gathered within Arts & Technology and Languages; Accelerated Maths is not offered. In Year 10, students pursue a broad range of subjects across Domains to build breadth and essential skills, with a requirement to complete a full year in each Domain and to choose one stream per domain. For Years 11 and 12, Mac.Rob offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) as the senior pathway, a qualification for university, higher-level TAFE or VET, apprenticeships, traineeships, or work; VCE is typically completed over two years. As of 2025, the International Baccalaureate program as an alternate senior pathway is no longer offered for new Mac.Rob students.

Student Teacher Ratio
In 2021, there were 1,084 students and 98.60 teaching staff, giving a student-to-teacher ratio of about 11:1.

Higher Education Progression
More than 98% of Mac.Rob graduates went on to higher education. In 2023, more than 89% were offered places at Australia's leading universities, with Monash University and the University of Melbourne among the popular destinations.

Gifted and Talented
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB-DP) is offered as a senior pathway; 2023 graduates include 20 IB-DP students, and the program is described as selective. As of 2025, IB-DP is no longer offered as a pathway for new Mac.Rob students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Connect is Mac.Rob's whole-school wellbeing initiative. It helps students establish foundations for good mental health, develop emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, build resilience, and expand independence. The program includes structured workshops and opportunities to connect with teachers, peers, and the broader community. The Wellbeing team, led by Dr. Bridget McPherson, works with Year Level Coordinators, House Leaders and Connect teachers to deliver comprehensive pastoral care for high-ability students. Students have access to mental health practitioners throughout their time at Mac.Rob, and families can receive resources via webinars, newsletters, and the Student Services portal. Little Lessons provides film and podcast resources for families focused on wellbeing and learning.

Mental Wellbeing
Mac.Rob provides mental health support through a dedicated Wellbeing team led by Dr. Bridget McPherson. Connect supports students' mental health by fostering friendships, community ties, and life skills. The school makes mental health resources available to families via webinars, newsletters, and the Student Services portal. Little Lessons offers wellbeing information for parents and carers, hosted by the Head of Wellbeing and Engagement. Wellbeing initiatives align with learning to help students thrive academically and personally.

Safeguarding
The school has Child Safe Policies, including a Child Safe Code of Conduct, Child Safe Responding and Reporting, and a Child Safety Policy, plus a Child Safe Risk Management Register.
Parent Experience

History
The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School stands on the traditional lands of the Bunurong peoples. Indigenous history is acknowledged on the school's site. Its origin traces to the Melbourne Continuation School, opened in Spring Street in 1905, which educated beyond Year 8 and led to Melbourne High School for the male students in 1927; the girls remained and were renamed Melbourne Girls' High School. In 1934, Sir MacPherson Robertson funded a new girls' high school, and the present building, designed by Norman Seabrook, was officially opened on 7 November 1934. In the 1980s, funding enabled expansions to Lakeside and Lakeside West, and in 1987 the main building was classified by the National Trust. A renovation of the Lakeside Building during 2022–2023 delivered a Learning Resource Centre and new classroom spaces, opening at the start of the 2023 school year.

Community
The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is located on Bunurong Country in Albert Park, near public transport and the CBD. The school's community groups include the Palladians Association, the Mac.Rob Foundation, and the Parents' Association. The school also hosts events such as the Mac.Rob Art & Design Exhibition Gala Opening, with an RSVP link, and features the Destiny Deacon Virtual Gallery under Current Families.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents' Association is an integral part of Mac.Rob school life and facilitates a wide range of activities throughout the year. Membership is open to all parents and guardians of current Mac.Rob students and is free to join. Working with the Community Partnership Leader, the Principal, and School Council, the PA undertakes initiatives to support wellbeing, encourage parent involvement, connect families, and inform understanding of school operations and policy. Annual PA events include the AGM, International Ball, Regional Catch-Ups, Second-Hand Uniform Sale, Bunnings BBQ Fundraising, Year 12 Graduation Gifts, Staff Morning Tea, New Student Information Night, and Orientation Day. The PA Board includes roles such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Officer, and members can participate without formal membership.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located on the grounds of Albert Park in Melbourne, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School occupies a historic campus. The Mac.Rob Hall is the on-site events venue used for major functions such as the International Women's Day Breakfast. A boundary fence project along the front boundary has been completed to improve safety. Kingsway Science Lab Conversion opened in the Kingsway Building to provide practical science experiences. Wellbeing and Careers spaces have been refurbished to improve privacy and atmosphere. A Baby Grand Piano was funded to enhance the Music Department's facilities.

Academic Facilities
Kingsway Science Lab Conversion opened in the Kingsway Building to provide practical science experiences. Mac.Rob incorporates learning technologies to support teaching. The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is offered for Years 11 and 12, and as of 2025 the International Baccalaureate (IB) program is no longer offered as a pathway for new Mac.Rob students. A central aim of the school curriculum is to provide a rigorous, innovative and broad curriculum. The curriculum offers a broad range of subjects and pathways to support students' post-school options.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Mac.Rob offers a huge range of co-curricular programs including sports teams, concerts, athletics and swimming carnivals, plays and musical performances, art exhibitions, and environmental, social, and wellbeing initiatives. Students can assume leadership roles such as House Captain, a portfolio leader, or a Student Council Representative, and participate in state, national and inter-school forums. Performances include The Pirates of Penzance and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, with a Winter Concert at Hamer Hall. Debating and public speaking programs have achieved strong results in the Debating Association of Victoria and national finals. Chess, badminton, ultimate frisbee and table tennis teams compete at state finals, with medals and sportsmanship honors.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Mac.Rob is a government selective entry high school for high-ability students in Years 9–12. Students are driven, self-motivated, and high achievers in maths and sciences, visual and performing arts, physical education, and humanities. The curriculum supports growth and culminates in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for Years 11 and 12. Mentorship and guidance help students select their course of study and pursue their personal and academic goals.

Arts & Creative
Mac.Rob recognises visual and performing arts as a key area of achievement for students. Co-curricular programs include concerts, plays and musical performances, and art exhibitions. Artistic expression is valued as part of school life, with collaborations and artistic events such as joint productions with Melbourne High School.

Cultural & Language
Languages are included in the Year 9 curriculum within the Languages domain, alongside Arts & Technology. In Year 10, students continue to study across domains and must choose a stream for each domain, including language study. Mac.Rob offers the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for Years 11 and 12. As of 2025, the International Baccalaureate program is no longer offered as a pathway for new Mac.Rob students.

Social & Hobbies
Mac.Rob offers a huge range of programs to participate in as part of regular and extra-curricular coursework, including sports teams, concerts, athletics and swimming carnivals, plays and musical performances, art exhibitions, and environmental, social, and wellbeing initiatives. Co-curricular activities provide opportunities to develop self-expression, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills. Students can assume leadership roles such as House Captain, a portfolio leader, or a Student Council Representative.

Community & Service
Co-curricular programs include environmental, social, and wellbeing initiatives that involve community engagement. Leadership roles and participation in state, national, and inter-school forums provide opportunities to contribute to the school and wider community. Mac.Rob fosters collaboration and engagement through events and programs that connect students with the broader community.

Leadership & Professional
Students can assume leadership positions within the school, including House Captain, portfolio leader, or Student Council Representative. Mentorship and guidance help students select their course of study and work toward personal growth and academic enrichment. Mac.Rob emphasises leadership development and opportunities across co-curricular and social service contexts.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Artistic expression, creative thinking, physical expression, social justice and leadership, and the emotional wellbeing of self, peers and community are highly valued alongside academic achievement. Co-curricular programs include wellbeing initiatives that support student health and resilience. Mentorship and guidance help students manage their learning journey and personal development. Combined productions and events with other schools contribute to a vibrant, well-rounded student life.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches Indonesian, German, Japanese and French. Language study is available for Years 9–12. Language offerings from Year 9–12 are French, Japanese, Indonesian and German. Languages are organized within a Languages domain in the curriculum.

Immersion Programs
Indonesian Language Excursion: On June 12, Indonesian VCE classes went to Melbourne Zoo and Kantin to engage with Indonesian language and culture in real-world settings. Japanese Washi Incursion: On June 4, Japanese students participated in a Washi workshop, learning through culture and hands-on craft. Japanese Language Model UN: Twenty VCE and IB Japanese Language students participated in a Japanese Model UN, practising speaking and diplomacy in Japanese. German Language Model UN: Students participated in a German Language Model United Nations Conference, debating and presenting in German.
Admissions

Admissions
1. The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School is a government selective entry high school for high-ability students in Years 9–12. It was established in 1934 and is one of four selective entry high schools in Victoria. 2. Year 9 enrolment requires completing the Compass Enrolment Form. A copy of the birth certificate, passport, or visa must be provided. The Language Preferences Form and the most recent language studies report must be submitted. An Instrumental Music Form must be completed to enrol in the Music Program; the student must attend New Student Information Night and Year 9 Orientation Day and submit Photography, Filming & Recording Consent. 3. Year 10 and Year 11 enrolment requires completing the Compass Enrolment Form and providing a copy of the birth certificate, passport, or visa. The Instrumental Music Form must be completed to enrol in the Music Program. The student must attend New Student Information Night and Year 10 and 11 Orientation Day, and complete Photography, Filming & Recording Consent. 4. Orientation and transition: All students joining in 2027 will be able to select their subject preferences in early Term 4, 2026. Transition & Subject Guides are available to help with curriculum choices and transition. Year 9 Guides include the Year 9 Transition Guide, Year 9 Subject Guide, Year 9 Language Guide, and Co-Curricular Guide. Year 10 Subject Guide and VCE Subject Guide outline the subjects available for years 10 and 11. 5. Music Program: The Music Program is an extracurricular offering with instrumental lessons in multiple disciplines. Participation in an ensemble is required for students enrolled in instrumental lessons, while the Mac.Rob Chorale is offered at no cost. Fees include Ensemble & 1st Instrument Group Lessons ($875) and Ensemble & Individual Instrument Lessons ($1,463), with additional costs for a second instrument lesson ($600) and for Ensemble only ($300). Applications for the 2026 Music Program closed on September 14, 2026. More information is in the Music Program Handbook and the Music Enrolment Form. 6. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): A device is expected for every student and must be brought to school each day, fully charged. If a device is forgotten or damaged, a limited number of laptops can be loaned by the Learning Resource Centre for short-term use. iPads and Chromebooks are discouraged due to compatibility issues; approved device options include Windows and MacOS. 7. Policy information for families: General Policies cover uniform, dress code, duty of care, first aid, homework, and inclusion and diversity. Late Arrival Process and Mobile Phones on Campus procedures are outlined. Mac.Rob is proud to be a child-safe organisation. The school also provides Student Support, Interventions & ILPs to support learners who may need additional assistance.
School Events
The school has not added events
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