About the school
Cardiff High School is a comprehensive, co-educational secondary school situated in the City of Lake Macquarie. The school serves the communities of Cardiff, Garden Suburb, Hillsborough, and Macquarie Hills, providing education for Year 7 to Year 12 students. It prides itself on fostering a culture of academic achievement, with a diverse curriculum that caters to various interests and needs, including provisions for Aboriginal students and those with special education requirements.
Academic and Extracurricular Programs
With a recorded enrolment of 728 students in 2019, including 81 Aboriginal students, Cardiff High School is committed to improving student academic outcomes through various key programs such as the Enrichment Class, QuickSmart Literacy and Numeracy, MultiLit, and initiatives aimed at high achievers. The school also features special education facilities designed for students with mild to severe disabilities, ensuring an inclusive environment for all learners. Additionally, the successful Japanese language program is supported by a long-standing sister-school relationship with Tanagura Junior High School in Japan.
Community and Support
Cardiff High School is known for its inclusive community that welcomes students from all backgrounds. The school places a strong emphasis on creating a supportive environment where families and students work collaboratively with teachers to facilitate tailored learning experiences. The school's commitment extends to promoting cultural safety and inclusion, celebrating diversity, and ensuring that every child feels safe and respected.
Overall, Cardiff High School provides a high-quality, comprehensive education, empowering students to pursue their passions and achieve success in both academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Mission
At Cardiff High School, we offer a personalised and high-quality education that fosters academic growth, wellbeing, and aspiration. Guided by our core values of Respect, Safety, and Engagement, Cardiff High School is a place where futures are shaped and dreams are supported.
Location & Catchment Area
- Cardiff High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Cardiff South Public School 513 m
- B Garden Suburb Public School 1.2 km
- C Newcastle Junior School 1.2 km
- D Hillsborough Public School 1.3 km
- E Cardiff Public School 1.3 km
- F Cardiff North Public School 1.6 km
- G Kotara South Public School 2.3 km
- H Warners Bay High School 2.4 km
- I Charlestown South Public School 2.5 km
- J New Lambton Heights Infants School 2.5 km
- K Mount Hutton Public School 2.9 km
- L Lakeside School 2.9 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 778 (367 girls, 411 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 776.4
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 986 (percentile 40)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 33% / 32% / 24% / 11%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 100
- Indigenous students
- 16%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 9%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 66.1
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 19.1
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 146 |
| Year 8 | 149 |
| Year 9 | 139 |
| Year 10 | 140 |
| Year 11 | 112 |
| Year 12 | 92 |
| Total | 778 |
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 | 778 | 367 | 411 | - | 986 | 66.1 |
| 2024 | 754 | 363 | 391 | 82.1 | 984 | 66.2 |
| 2023 | 718 | 342 | 376 | 80.9 | 977 | 63.5 |
| 2022 | 700 | 339 | 361 | 79.6 | 971 | 62.9 |
| 2021 | 724 | 347 | 377 | 84.2 | 975 | 61.6 |
| 2020 | 710 | 349 | 361 | - | 976 | 59.6 |
| 2019 | 676 | 337 | 339 | 88.4 | 976 | 57.5 |
| 2018 | 695 | 347 | 348 | 88 | 975 | 57.3 |
| 2017 | 690 | 329 | 361 | 88.7 | 964 | 58.8 |
| 2016 | 684 | 323 | 361 | 89 | 958 | 56.4 |
| 2015 | 691 | 322 | 369 | 88.8 | 963 | 57.5 |
| 2014 | 694 | 328 | 366 | 88.3 | 961 | 55.1 |
| 2013 | 676 | 322 | 354 | 90.5 | 974 | 53.7 |
| 2012 | 670 | 318 | 352 | 87 | 947 | 52.5 |
| 2011 | 630 | 297 | 333 | 88.4 | 944 | 51.3 |
| 2010 | 651 | 290 | 361 | - | 944 | 51.7 |
| 2009 | 616 | 266 | 350 | - | 1008 | 50.5 |
| 2008 | 653 | 289 | 364 | - | 1008 | 51.3 |
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.