Crown Street Public School, one of Australia’s oldest continuously operating schools, has celebrated nearly two centuries of educational excellence, community spirit, and enduring public values.

Dignitaries, including Alex Greenwich MP, Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller and Director Educational Leadership Angela Lyris, joined relieving principal Olivia Parry, and current and past students and staff for a morning tea and smoking ceremony to mark the occasion.

Relieving Principal Ms Parry said she was immensely proud to commemorate 175 years of continuous public education at the school

“Crown St Public School is a cornerstone of learning, equity, and community in the heart of Sydney,” she said.

“From colonial beginnings to contemporary innovation, our school has evolved in step with the city itself, responding to changing needs while remaining anchored in its mission to empower every learner.”

Founded on 1 June 1849 in a modest rented hall on Bourke Street, the school began as a response to the growing need for accessible education in a rapidly expanding Sydney.

Over the decades, Crown Street Public School has kept to its focus on equity and excellence, embracing students from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

“The founding principal championed the belief that every child, regardless of social standing, deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, and participate in civic life—a philosophy that continues to guide the school’s ethos,” Ms Parry said.

Surry Hills was transitioning from a semi-rural landscape of paddocks and sandstone quarries into a bustling working-class neighbourhood when the school was founded 175 years ago.

As families settled in the area, the demand for structured learning surged and, within months of opening, enrolment soared to over 1,600 students, making it one of the largest schools in New South Wales.

To meet this demand, a Gothic Revival style of sandstone building was built, opening in May 1880. It remains a defining feature of Crown St itself, along with its Lone Soldier Cenotaph, honouring former students who served in World War I.

Today, Crown Street Public School stands as a vibrant educational hub in the heart of Surry Hills, ready to embrace the future while honouring the legacy of generations past.

Its commitment to high-quality learning in a caring and inclusive environment remains unwavering. The school continues to foster autonomy, responsibility, and community engagement among its students, ensuring its relevance and leadership in modern education.

“We will continue to be a place where stories begin, where voices are heard, and where futures are made.,” Ms Parry said.

Notable alumni include cricket legends Victor Trumper and M.A. Noble, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Sir Garfield Barwick, and former Lord Mayor of Sydney Sir Nicholas Shehadie.