About the school
Waratah Public School is a large inner-city Newcastle school proudly serving the Waratah/Mayfield community. With a long and distinguished history, the school is dedicated to providing students with quality education in a safe, happy, and positive environment. It boasts a committed and passionate staff who foster a learning atmosphere where equity and diversity are celebrated. The school caters to 334 students from Kindergarten to Year 6, along with 80 preschool students, including a significant representation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and students with English as an Additional Language or Dialect.
Programs and Support
Waratah Public School offers 14 mainstream classes as well as an Early Intervention class for preschool students and a multi-categorical class. Additionally, the school is supported by Learning and Support Teachers and specialists including a Reading Recovery teacher and an English as a Second Language teacher. The school believes in the philosophy of "Be the Best That You Can Be," which guides its educational practices and community culture.
The school’s partnership with the Callaghan Education Pathways group of schools reinforces its commitment to academic and social development, providing a strong foundation for its students through collaboration with families and the local community. Waratah Public School is known for its inclusive environment where every child feels valued and is supported to thrive. Its strong educational framework prepares students to become confident, creative, and critical thinkers who are ready for future challenges.
Mission
Waratah Public School helps every student to learn, grow and succeed in a caring and inclusive environment with a focus on high-quality education and student wellbeing.
Location & Catchment Area
- Waratah Public School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Newcastle Senior School 465 m
- B Newcastle Middle School 530 m
- C Callaghan College Waratah Campus 616 m
- D Waratah West Public School 983 m
- E Lambton High School 1.4 km
- F Hamilton North Public School 1.8 km
- G Lambton Public School 1.9 km
- H Mayfield West Public School 1.9 km
- I Islington Public School 2.1 km
- J New Lambton Public School 2.2 km
- K Hunter School of Performing Arts 2.2 km
- L Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus 2.5 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 351 (179 girls, 172 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 351
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 1019 (percentile 56)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 27% / 24% / 26% / 22%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 77
- Indigenous students
- 13%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 20%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 29.8
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 7.6
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 50 |
| Year 1 | 56 |
| Year 2 | 51 |
| Year 3 | 49 |
| Year 4 | 49 |
| Year 5 | 43 |
| Year 6 | 53 |
| Total | 351 |
Year by year
Attendance data for 2020 is unavailable — NSW schools were disrupted by COVID-19 and the Department of Education did not publish figures for that year.
| Year | Enrolments | Girls | Boys | Attendance % | ICSEA | Teaching staff (FTE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 351 | 179 | 172 | - | 1019 | 29.8 |
| 2024 | 355 | 186 | 169 | 90.4 | 1012 | 30.6 |
| 2023 | 333 | 167 | 166 | 91.2 | 1001 | 28 |
| 2022 | 340 | 173 | 167 | 89.8 | 986 | 24.4 |
| 2021 | 337 | 166 | 171 | 90.3 | 965 | 25.5 |
| 2020 | 338 | 171 | 167 | - | 960 | 25.5 |
| 2019 | 348 | 170 | 178 | 91.6 | 952 | 25.5 |
| 2018 | 354 | 170 | 184 | 91.9 | 961 | 25.4 |
| 2017 | 339 | 159 | 180 | 93 | 947 | 25.3 |
| 2016 | 334 | 159 | 175 | 92.2 | 952 | 23 |
| 2015 | 313 | 151 | 162 | 92.6 | 956 | 21.7 |
| 2014 | 309 | 159 | 150 | 93.8 | 955 | 22 |
| 2013 | 336 | 163 | 173 | 93.5 | 968 | 23.4 |
| 2012 | 361 | 166 | 195 | 93.6 | 969 | 24.1 |
| 2011 | 387 | 176 | 211 | 93.2 | 974 | 25.7 |
| 2010 | 402 | 185 | 217 | - | 980 | 26.5 |
| 2009 | 438 | 208 | 230 | - | 1000 | 30.1 |
| 2008 | 455 | 207 | 248 | - | 1000 | 29.9 |
Attendance data for 2020 is unavailable — NSW schools were disrupted by COVID-19 and the Department of Education did not publish figures for that year.