Meet the children who succeed and join them on their commutes
A report on the grueling daily commutes of students attending selective high schools in New South Wales, Australia. Data shows that students are traveling from an increasing number of postcodes, with some facing hours of travel to reach their schools.
Why it matters
Exposes the logistical challenges and personal toll on students within highly competitive academic systems.
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Share A A A The moon is still shining when 12-year-old Reyansh Shroff leaves for school. To make the bell at the selective Sydney Boys High School from Bella Vista, he must leave by 7am if catching the metro, and 6am if he is being driven.
But he isn’t alone in his early morning migration.
Twelve-year-old school student Reyansh Shroff waiting to leave home in Bella Vista at approximately 6am. Kate Geraghty In 2026, across NSW, year 7 selective high school students hail from more than 380 postcodes, 40 more than last year, new figures from the NSW Department of Education obtained under Freedom of Information laws show.
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