Epping Boys High School is a comprehensive, public high school located in Marsfield, New South Wales, Australia, established in 1957. The current principal is Jessica Schadel.
Achievements As well as high achievements in the creative and performing arts, the school has a strong sporting and academic record. The school has been placed on the Centre of Excellence program.
On 15 April 2010, the school hosted a Community Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.
In the 2016/17 cricket season, Epping Boys High School won both the Challenge Cup and Allan Davidson Shield, defeating Figtree High and Endeavour Sports High respectively. In 2022 soccer season, they defeated local Randwick Boys High School to win the Puma Cup State Knockout.
Houses The school has four houses, which are based upon prominent figures of Eastwood, Epping, Marsfield and Ryde during the 19th Century. Pupils competing in sport, academic and other various events earn points for their houses. At the end of the year, the house with the most points win the house cup. The houses are: Darvall (red) Harris (yellow) Midson (blue) Terry (green)
Alumni John Abernethy – NSW State Coroner (2000–2007) Adam Biddle – former Sydney FC football player Mark Calder – Anglican Bishop of Bathurst Ed Craig – U20 Australian Rugby Union player in the 2016 U-20 Rugby World Cup in Manchester, England Iva Davies – musician, lead singer of Icehouse Stuart Dickinson – former rugby referee, most capped Australian referee at international level Michael Ebeid – chief executive of SBS 2011–2018 Sam Gallagher – U20 Socceroos player in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup Brendan Kerry – figure skater Kevin Kim – member/lead vocal of South Korean boy band ZE:A Paul Murray – Sky News Australia presenterThere's something about Murray Switzer.com Jack Newton – professional golfer Brett Papworth – Wallaby Geoffrey Robertson – QC and Rhodes Scholar (1970) Craig Shipley – baseball player, second Australian to play Major League Baseball Ryan Teague – Melbourne Victory football player, U17 Joeyroos captain and the Socceroos Alex Wilkinson – Footballer for Sydney FC and the Socceroos
Controversies
2006 teacher drug-supply case In 2006, a casual teacher at Epping Boys High School was charged with supplying cannabis to a student under the age of 16. The then‑NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt expressed outrage that she had not been informed earlier and ordered an investigation into the school's handling of the incident. The teacher faced court on the charge, and the Department of Education stated that if convicted, he would not be re-employed in the system.“Minister outraged over teacher's drug supply charges”. ABC News. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2025 from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-06-26/minister-outraged-over-teachers-drug-supply-charges/1787276“Teacher 'supplied drugs to boy'”. The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 June 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
2015 alleged extremist preaching In 2015, a 17‑year‑old student at the school became the focus of a counter‑terrorism investigation after being reported for allegedly preaching extremist Islamic views to classmates in the school playground. The incident was referred to police by school staff, and counselling was offered to affected students. The NSW Government subsequently launched a review of school prayer groups across the state.“Teenager under investigation for preaching radical Islam at school”. The Daily Telegraph. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2025.“NSW government orders audit of school prayer groups”. ABC News. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2025 from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-28/nsw-government-orders-audit-of-school-prayer-groups/6654742
2016 former student terrorism plot In 2016, former student Tamim Khaja was arrested and charged with planning a terrorist attack in Sydney and attempting to travel overseas to join the Islamic State. Authorities alleged he had tried to acquire a firearm and had previously been investigated for extremist behaviour while attending the school in 2015. The incident had contributed to the earlier government review of school prayer activities.“Sydney teenager Tamim Khaja charged over alleged terror plot”. ABC News. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2025 from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-17/sydney-terror-suspect-charged-for-allegedly-plotting-attack/7422858Laurence, Emily Law (1 Mar 2018). “Tamim Khaja sentenced to 19 years’ jail for plotting Sydney terrorist attack”. ABC News. Retrieved 19 July 2025 from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-02/tamim-khaja-jailed-19-years-for-plotting-terrorist-attack/9503920
2020 COVID-19 outbreak and closure In early March 2020, Epping Boys High School became the first government school in New South Wales to temporarily close after a Year 11 student tested positive for COVID-19. With fewer than 30 confirmed cases in the state at the time, school closures were still rare and the event received widespread media attention as part of early pandemic public health responses. Students and staff were sent home for precautionary quarantine, the premises were professionally cleaned, and the school reopened the following week after authorities deemed it safe.“One day closure at Epping Boys High School following confirmed COVID-19 case,” NSW Health media release, 5 March 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2025.Elsworthy, Emma (5 Mar 2020). “Coronavirus infection closes Epping Boys High School, northern suburbs become centre of Sydney's outbreak”. ABC News. Retrieved 19 July 2025 from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-06/coronavirus-cases-increase-in-nsw-as-authorities-trace-virus/12031678
2022 large cash gifts incident In 2022, a Year 7 student reportedly brought around $27,000 in cash to school, spending some on online gaming and distributing the remainder in cash and gift cards to classmates. The money was part of a family trust fund. School leadership responded by contacting families and using the incident as a teachable moment on financial responsibility.“NSW schoolboy brings $27,000 to school, gives it away”. News.com.au. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025 from https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/nsw-boy-takes-27k-of-family-trust-fund-to-school-and-gives-it-away/news-story/315c0f4b0be4e4e9e73b7396d61d6d60“School investigates massive cash splash by Year 7 student”. Sydney Morning Herald. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
See also List of Government schools in New South Wales
References
External links Epping Boys High School website