Warilla High School
Proudly serving the Shellharbour community since 1965
About the school
Warilla High School is a thriving comprehensive school dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and values essential for success in life. The school promotes a rich array of academic, cultural, and sporting opportunities, driven by high expectations that form the ethos of the institution. With a strong reputation in the community, Warilla High offers diverse programs that emphasise both high educational standards and student well-being.
The school's philosophy is encapsulated in its belief that 'Every child can learn, every child has the right to learn, and every child has the right to access quality teaching practice.' This is supported by a student-centred and outcomes-driven approach. Recognised with the 'Cohesive Community School Award', Warilla High actively works to promote social harmony and unity among students.
The school's values—Excellence, Respect, Integrity, and Compassion—are integrated into daily activities and reinforced consistently. To support these values, various welfare initiatives are in place, such as Peer Support, Peer Mediation programs, and dedicated mentorship for students. The school caters to a diverse curriculum that includes vocational education and training (VET) subjects and a broad spectrum of arts and technology courses.
In athletics, Warilla High School has consistently excelled, being the Zone Sport Champions for ten consecutive years and triumphing in the NSW CHS Athletics championships. Beyond academics, the school fosters a connection with local communities and partner primary schools to bolster literacy and numeracy initiatives. It also collaborates with organisations like the St Vincent De Paul Society to encourage community service and volunteerism among students.
Mission
At Warilla High School, we’re passionate about creating a learning environment in which personalised support is provided so every student can thrive. Our core values are Excellence, Respect, Integrity and Compassion and our dedicated team of staff work to instil these within our students.
Location & Catchment Area
- Warilla High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Warilla Public School 816 m
- B Peterborough School 913 m
- C Barrack Heights Public School 1.2 km
- D Mount Warrigal Public School 1.7 km
- E Shellharbour Public School 1.8 km
- F Warilla North Public School 2.0 km
- G Flinders Public School 2.2 km
- H Oak Flats High School 2.2 km
- I Balarang Public School 2.5 km
- J Lake Illawarra High School 2.5 km
- K Lake Illawarra South Public School 2.7 km
- L Shell Cove Public School 3.6 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 1,020 (514 girls, 506 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 1,019.8
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 968 (percentile 32)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 44% / 31% / 18% / 7%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 116
- Indigenous students
- 10%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 17%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 77.1
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 19.2
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 161 |
| Year 8 | 184 |
| Year 9 | 185 |
| Year 10 | 213 |
| Year 11 | 159 |
| Year 12 | 118 |
| Total | 1,020 |
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 | 1,020 | 514 | 506 | - | 968 | 77.1 |
| 2024 | 1,063 | 518 | 545 | 80.5 | 972 | 83 |
| 2023 | 1,125 | 550 | 575 | 82.8 | 970 | 88.7 |
| 2022 | 1,209 | 565 | 644 | 78.4 | 965 | 91.3 |
| 2021 | 1,261 | 576 | 685 | 83.2 | 973 | 93.1 |
| 2020 | 1,264 | 581 | 683 | - | 969 | 93 |
| 2019 | 1,269 | 607 | 662 | 86.1 | 969 | 95.2 |
| 2018 | 1,255 | 598 | 657 | 87.2 | 965 | 91.1 |
| 2017 | 1,211 | 562 | 649 | 88.8 | 963 | 88.5 |
| 2016 | 1,156 | 551 | 605 | 90.9 | 958 | 83.8 |
| 2015 | 1,103 | 503 | 600 | 88.6 | 956 | 82.8 |
| 2014 | 1,155 | 522 | 633 | 89.3 | 958 | 83.6 |
| 2013 | 1,143 | 514 | 629 | 90.4 | 957 | 82.8 |
| 2012 | 1,198 | 550 | 648 | 87 | 953 | 85.5 |
| 2011 | 1,207 | 565 | 642 | 88.4 | 951 | 86.6 |
| 2010 | 1,189 | 574 | 615 | - | 952 | 84 |
| 2009 | 1,155 | 570 | 585 | - | 981 | 82.4 |
| 2008 | 1,115 | 534 | 581 | - | 981 | 81.3 |
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.