What is The Harbour School Sydney?
Educational experiences
Educational experiences and digital resources focus on the concepts of environmental use, protection, preservation and management of significant environmental, cultural and historical harbour sites. These experiences improve accessibility of harbour sites for students and enhance wider community engagement to enhance understanding and appreciation of the values underpinning the management of such sites.
Skills development and training
The Harbour School Sydney connects schools with local businesses, universities and organisations to provide students with opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and links to vocational education centred on maritime employment opportunities. It focuses on improving skills and training of young, local workers within a framework of exploring employment and innovation in an emerging blue-green, low-carbon economy. The Harbour School is uniquely placed to contribute to domestic skills development in emerging industries and to assist in the development of green-enhanced skills to take advantage of this time of generational change in job opportunities.
Educational experiences and digital resources focus on the concepts of environmental use, protection, preservation and management of significant environmental, cultural and historical harbour sites. These experiences improve accessibility of harbour sites for students and enhance wider community engagement to enhance understanding and appreciation of the values underpinning the management of such sites.
Skills development and training
The Harbour School Sydney connects schools with local businesses, universities and organisations to provide students with opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and links to vocational education centred on maritime employment opportunities. It focuses on improving skills and training of young, local workers within a framework of exploring employment and innovation in an emerging blue-green, low-carbon economy. The Harbour School is uniquely placed to contribute to domestic skills development in emerging industries and to assist in the development of green-enhanced skills to take advantage of this time of generational change in job opportunities.
The Mandate for The Harbour School Sydney:
United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
United Nations Decade of Action - Sustainable Development Goals (2020-2030)
United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)
United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)
United Nations Decade of Action - Sustainable Development Goals (2020-2030)
United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)
2026 Strategic Directions
The 2026 Strategic Directions will guide decision making and actions of The Harbour School Sydney for the next 12 months.
Strategic Direction 1: Provide quality, curriculum-linked educational experiences.
Strategic Direction 2: Build teacher capacity in marine, coastal and estuarine environments, climate change and urban harbours.
Strategic Direction 3: Foster collaborations that amplify impact in environmental education, ocean literacy and career pathways.
The 2026 Strategic Directions will guide decision making and actions of The Harbour School Sydney for the next 12 months.
Strategic Direction 1: Provide quality, curriculum-linked educational experiences.
- Direct syllabus links.
- Innovative, hands-on fieldwork and activities.
- Solutions-focused education - research and innovation.
Strategic Direction 2: Build teacher capacity in marine, coastal and estuarine environments, climate change and urban harbours.
- Supporting teachers implementing new syllabuses.
- Quality, curriculum-linked resources.
- Expert-led professional learning opportunities.
Strategic Direction 3: Foster collaborations that amplify impact in environmental education, ocean literacy and career pathways.
- Accessible, self-funded outreach opportunities.
- Place-based and research-informed programs.
- Reciprocal knowledge sharing to ensure successful implementation.
