How the state’s first high-rise public school became a top academic performer

Linda Macleod began her teaching career at Tottenham Central School – way past Dubbo – where there were just 90 students. It’s a world away from the job she now holds as principal of the $225 million Arthur Phillip High School, the state’s first high-rise public school – and its most expensive – home to 1650 students.

As Macleod stands on the top floor among the solar panels and looking out across apartment blocks and office towers in Parramatta, tears fill her eyes.

“This is the pinnacle of my career,” said Macleod. The high-tech school has 3D printer and design labs, fitness labs and wet and dry studios for creative arts. Students can access sound-proofed music practice rooms, specialist performance and rehearsal spaces, and a dedicated dance studio.

The school was among the most improved in the state last year: the percentage and number of students achieving band 6 HSC results more than doubled from 2025 in comparison to 2023 and 2024. Many of last year’s top results came in advanced and extension mathematics, though the school also performs strongly in HSIE subjects, exceeding the state average in geography, business studies, legal studies and society and culture.

Yet despite its state-of-the-art resources, Macleod is certain it is not the reason for the school’s improvement. She said it’s the teachers.

“You can have all the facilities in the world but, at the end of the day, it’s about the person who’s in front of the kids and how those facilities are used,” she said. “The most important and valuable resource you have in your school are your staff.”

“We have more extracurriculars than usual, we have a dance club, art club, badminton club, games club, science and engineering club. They are all run because staff offer their time, either after school or during school.

“Staff are giving up their time after school hours and evenings, weekends. Unless our staff give the time to do that, it doesn’t happen.”

She said this is the reality of modern education. “Teaching is very busy and if you want to be a great teacher, it can’t be done between the hours of nine and three. Teachers acknowledge that and the majority go above and beyond. That’s why we become teachers; we want to help young people.

“It’s about what they do every day to support the teaching and learning in the classrooms, no matter what the facilities are.”

The school works to create a close community with teachers and parents, many of whom are immigrants.

Arthur Phillip has one of the most culturally diverse student populations in the state – 91 per cent of students have English as a second language, and the school has a significant refugee population.

“It was a steep learning curve for me, but I also think when you have fresh eyes looking on something, you see it from a different perspective,” said Macleod.

She has positions for staff most schools do not: A head of English as an additional language, as well as six full-time EAL/D teachers and a refugee co-ordinator.

The school has a dedicated community hub with a community liaison officer to help connect families, as well as a head teacher of welfare.

Because male students significantly outnumber female students, Macleod has a dedicated female adviser. Female students can take part in seminars such as the “glow lab” – scientific workshops teaching them how to make their own natural, organic cosmetics while discussing self-esteem and positive body image.

At the beginning of year 11, students can take part in a program where they meet with their teachers and parents and discuss their home study routine, lifestyle and how they can best prepare for the two years ahead. In between HSC trials and the final exams, students have one-on-one interviews with each of their teachers to forensically break down how they performed and where they can improve.

There is a natural order at the state’s first vertical high school. Students start their high school adventure on the bottom floors, slowly working their way up the staircases as they progress. By the time they have reached year 11 and 12, they will have obtained elevator privileges.

Each year’s “home base” has an open learning area that spans the majority of the floor, with around three to four classrooms on each floor. “It can get a bit loud with different classes working side by side, but you adapt to it,” said student Evelyn Tran last year.

Macleod said she still pinches herself, unable to believe she is working at the school.

“I would have never thought I would be a principal, but it is great. You get to shape our future leaders, our future doctors, nurses, tradespeople. You can have a real impact. For some of our students, they are the first ones in their family to get the HSC or get a trade or apprenticeship. They are role models for their younger siblings.”

Before she left Dubbo South Campus High School, en route to Arthur Phillip, she had a message for her students.

“I used to always tell the kids there, always pursue your dreams. When I left, I said to the kids, I’m going to pursue my dream.”

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