About the school
Bourke High School (BHS) is situated in the far north west of New South Wales and serves a small, isolated community with a student population of approximately 156, 70 percent of whom identify as Aboriginal. The school is a comprehensive high school that prides itself on providing quality education within a caring and supportive environment. BHS places a strong emphasis on vocational education and training for students in Years 9-12, while also offering a diverse academic curriculum enriched with social, sporting, and cultural opportunities.
Student Support and Welfare
The school upholds a positive welfare focus with programs designed to cater to the social and educational needs of its students. Core values of Respect, Safety, and Learning are instilled and form the foundation of all school activities. BHS is committed to ensuring that all students achieve success, enabling them to progress to employment or further education and training after graduation.
Teaching Approach
Bourke High School operates with low teacher-student ratios, which facilitates personalised learning experiences. This is complemented by innovative teaching practices, flexible learning programs, Gifted and Talented initiatives, and Life Skills programs. The school also hosts a Clontarf Academy, which empowers male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by providing them with tailored support and opportunities for leadership development.
Community and Partnerships
As a Connected Communities High School, BHS works collaboratively with families and the local community to address educational and social disadvantages faced by many students. The dedicated staff at BHS are committed to increasing academic achievement and fostering a culture of support and encouragement throughout the school community.
Mission
We help every student to learn, grow and succeed.
Equity, Excellence, and Student Success
Committed to equity and excellence, we prioritise each student’s unique needs, ensuring personalised support and opportunities for every learner to thrive and succeed.
Location & Catchment Area
- Bourke High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Bourke Public School 244 m
- B Bourke-Walgett School of Distance Education 251 m
- C Enngonia Public School 86.5 km
- D Brewarrina Central School 88.8 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 134 (67 girls, 67 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 134
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 714 (percentile 1)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 81% / 14% / 5% / 0%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 196
- Indigenous students
- 81%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 26.7
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 12.4
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 26 |
| Year 8 | 19 |
| Year 9 | 29 |
| Year 10 | 26 |
| Year 11 | 18 |
| Year 12 | 16 |
| Total | 134 |
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 | 134 | 67 | 67 | - | 714 | 26.7 |
| 2024 | 117 | 62 | 55 | 55.4 | 710 | 29.7 |
| 2023 | 132 | 66 | 66 | 53 | 686 | 29.7 |
| 2022 | 123 | 61 | 62 | 54 | 716 | 26.1 |
| 2021 | 153 | 72 | 81 | 60.6 | 730 | 25.2 |
| 2020 | 149 | 67 | 82 | - | 725 | 25.2 |
| 2019 | 153 | 62 | 91 | 67.3 | 741 | 25.1 |
| 2018 | 150 | 69 | 81 | 72.1 | 738 | 24.2 |
| 2017 | 143 | 72 | 71 | 74.1 | 758 | 24.3 |
| 2016 | 151 | 78 | 73 | 74.5 | 773 | 23.3 |
| 2015 | 150 | 73 | 77 | 78.4 | 765 | 21.7 |
| 2014 | 160 | 81 | 79 | 76.2 | 768 | 22.5 |
| 2013 | 157 | 78 | 79 | 75.2 | 779 | 22.6 |
| 2012 | 156 | 78 | 78 | 76 | 767 | 26.5 |
| 2011 | 158 | 75 | 83 | 80.2 | 773 | 26.1 |
| 2010 | 158 | 80 | 78 | - | 750 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 146 | 81 | 65 | - | 700 | 27.2 |
| 2008 | 155 | 80 | 75 | - | 700 | 28.4 |
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.