As part of World Youth Day events, many overseas pilgrims will take up residence at NSW State and Catholic Schools during the mid-year school holidays.

Approximately 10,000 pilgrims will be accommodated at 93 NSW State Primary and Secondary schools throughout the Sydney metropolitan area from Monday 14 July to Sunday 20 July inclusive. 13 of these schools will host groups of more than 200 pilgrims (with a maximum of 325).

A further 60,000 pilgrims will be accommodated in Catholic, non-government schools.

Each group staying in a school is under the supervision of a number of trained group leaders, who are responsible for the pilgrims staying at the particular school.

All accommodation will be single sex only and for people aged over 18.

In neighbourhoods where pilgrims will be hosted, you may expect to see an increase in people moving about your neighbourhood as they walk from the school to either the local railway station or nearby bus service. Generally, pilgrims will travel from the accommodation site to the Sydney CBD each day of World Youth Day events in mid-morning, and return to their accommodation each evening.

NSW State Schools will be provided with increased security during the stays.

To see if your local school is being used as an accommodation site, the list of NSW State schools is provided here. Catholic Schools are also being used as accommodation sites. For information about Catholic Schools being used for World Youth Day, contact the event organisers, WYD '08, on 1300 993 793.

Number of schools by geographical region 

West & Southwest Sydney high schools - 31

North Sydney & Northern Beaches high schools - 18

South Sydney, St George & Sutherland high schools - 17

Northwest high schools - 9

Inner City high schools - 9

Primary schools - 9