The Albion Park school finished fifth in the premier division final staged at Sydney Entertainment Centre on Friday night, the school's first placing in 17 years.

The cast and stage crew of 120 students impressed the judges with their interpretation of the 1970s television show Monkey Magic.

"It was called Saiyuki and we just did a bit of a spin-off from the first episode, which was Monkey's birth and his challenge of Buddha and the right to control heaven," director and teacher Michael Shanahan said.

He said the school was shocked and elated to hear their name called in the top five.

"It was something we'd worked really hard on and we were really happy with what we'd put together.

"To hear our name called out as a placegetter at such a highly competitive event was just amazing.

"It was very much a student developed product ... To be involved is what we're about and for them to realise their potential, that's the most important thing."

Pymble Ladies College was the winner of the division. Bomaderry High School took second in the open division.