About the school
Athelstane Public School is a vibrant educational institution located in the leafy suburb of Arncliffe, near the airport. The school is notable for its high diversity, with approximately 96% of students coming from language backgrounds other than English. Athelstane Public School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that offers quality education to all students, including those with special needs through five dedicated support classes.
Educational Focus
The school prioritises literacy and numeracy, engaging in the National Partnership on Literacy to enhance reading achievements across its student body. One of the cornerstone programs is 'Focus on Reading,' which equips teachers with effective strategies for teaching reading comprehension and other essential literacy skills. The school has set ambitious goals, aiming to read 10,000 books annually to promote a strong reading culture. The recently renovated library serves as a technology hub, complete with a Mac lab that provides students access to various digital resources.
Student Welfare and Community Engagement
At Athelstane, student welfare is paramount, with innovative programs addressing social, emotional, and physical well-being. The school actively partners with families to develop tailored learning plans that cater to individual students' needs. Athelstane Public School also enjoys a collaboration with the University of Sydney through the Compass program, which aims to cultivate student aspirations and expose them to higher education opportunities.
The school's commitment to nurturing students extends beyond academics, fostering personal responsibility and celebrating achievements, all within a supportive community context.
Mission
At Athelstane Public School we nurture, challenge, support and equip all students to become independent, successful lifelong learners who actively contribute to the community.
Location & Catchment Area
- Athelstane Public School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Arncliffe West Infants School 885 m
- B Arncliffe Public School 915 m
- C Bardwell Park Infants School 1.3 km
- D Bexley Public School 1.4 km
- E Undercliffe Public School 1.5 km
- F Bexley North Public School 1.7 km
- G Rockdale Public School 1.7 km
- H Earlwood Public School 1.7 km
- I Ferncourt Public School 2.2 km
- J Cairnsfoot School 2.3 km
- K St George Girls High School 2.4 km
- L Kyeemagh Public School 2.6 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 277 (136 girls, 141 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 277
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 1003 (percentile 48)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 38% / 26% / 24% / 12%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 98
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 94%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 26.2
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 6.6
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 31 |
| Year 1 | 29 |
| Year 2 | 37 |
| Year 3 | 55 |
| Year 4 | 28 |
| Year 5 | 43 |
| Year 6 | 54 |
| Total | 277 |
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 | 277 | 136 | 141 | - | 1003 | 26.2 |
| 2024 | 290 | 145 | 145 | 90.3 | 1011 | 27.3 |
| 2023 | 332 | 158 | 174 | 91.6 | 996 | 27.1 |
| 2022 | 342 | 162 | 180 | 86.2 | 992 | 27.2 |
| 2021 | 337 | 164 | 173 | 92.6 | 989 | 26.2 |
| 2020 | 336 | 166 | 170 | - | 992 | 26.4 |
| 2019 | 346 | 164 | 182 | 91.9 | 988 | 26.2 |
| 2018 | 315 | 157 | 158 | 93 | 977 | 25.6 |
| 2017 | 346 | 164 | 182 | 92.7 | 963 | 26.9 |
| 2016 | 324 | 140 | 184 | 93.6 | 958 | 26.6 |
| 2015 | 305 | 131 | 174 | 93 | 949 | 24.2 |
| 2014 | 318 | 146 | 172 | 95.4 | 939 | 25.1 |
| 2013 | 314 | 135 | 179 | 95 | 946 | 24.8 |
| 2012 | 310 | 140 | 170 | 94.3 | 933 | 24.4 |
| 2011 | 318 | 144 | 174 | 94.4 | 917 | 24.8 |
| 2010 | 326 | 149 | 177 | - | 917 | 25.8 |
| 2009 | 333 | 166 | 167 | - | 928 | 27.1 |
| 2008 | 337 | 178 | 159 | - | 928 | 26.5 |
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.