About the school
Orara High School is a major, comprehensive secondary school located in the City of Coffs Harbour. It offers students a supportive school community where they strive to achieve the best possible outcomes in a caring and cooperative learning environment. The school has a proud tradition of outstanding achievements in academics, sports, culture, and the arts.
Academic Excellence
Orara High School is committed to providing excellent programs in student welfare, literacy, numeracy, special education, and environmental education. The school has a long history of success, particularly for students from Aboriginal and non-English speaking backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and support for all learners.
Diverse Opportunities
The school offers a variety of subjects and programs to allow students to explore their interests and develop their skills. This includes extracurricular activities, enabling participation in competitions and community events, fostering well-rounded and active community members.
Supportive Environment
With a focus on providing tailored learning support, Orara High School accommodates students of all backgrounds, ensuring they feel safe, respected, and included. The dedicated staff work closely with families to co-design learning plans that suit individual needs, reinforcing a strong sense of community and collaboration.
Orara High School is more than just an educational institution; it is a learning community that prepares students to be confident, well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in their future endeavours.
Mission
We are proud to live by The Orara Way - being inclusive, safe and respectful in everything we do. These values shape how we learn, work and grow together as a school community.
Location & Catchment Area
- Orara High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Tyalla Public School 126 m
- B Narranga Public School 1.3 km
- C Coffs Harbour Public School 2.2 km
- D Coffs Harbour High School 3.3 km
- E Kororo Public School 3.6 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 858 (412 girls, 446 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 856.2
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 896 (percentile 10)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 60% / 24% / 12% / 5%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 142
- Indigenous students
- 24%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 20%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 76.8
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 20.5
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 168 |
| Year 8 | 181 |
| Year 9 | 170 |
| Year 10 | 183 |
| Year 11 | 98 |
| Year 12 | 58 |
| Total | 858 |
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 | 858 | 412 | 446 | - | 896 | 76.8 |
| 2024 | 813 | 398 | 415 | 76.7 | 898 | 72.9 |
| 2023 | 780 | 383 | 397 | 77.4 | 889 | 64.7 |
| 2022 | 695 | 347 | 348 | 79.3 | 895 | 63 |
| 2021 | 666 | 337 | 329 | 83.7 | 896 | 62.4 |
| 2020 | 650 | 331 | 319 | - | 896 | 59.4 |
| 2019 | 623 | 304 | 319 | 85.7 | 899 | 59 |
| 2018 | 593 | 282 | 311 | 86.8 | 898 | 54.6 |
| 2017 | 571 | 264 | 307 | 89.8 | 906 | 53 |
| 2016 | 576 | 263 | 313 | 88.4 | 906 | 55 |
| 2015 | 651 | 287 | 364 | 87.5 | 912 | 58.4 |
| 2014 | 651 | 295 | 356 | 87.8 | 913 | 57.3 |
| 2013 | 675 | 303 | 372 | 85.7 | 918 | 56.6 |
| 2012 | 665 | 301 | 364 | 85.2 | 926 | 57.2 |
| 2011 | 665 | 298 | 367 | 84.5 | 917 | 57.1 |
| 2010 | 667 | 293 | 374 | - | 921 | 56.8 |
| 2009 | 638 | 285 | 353 | - | 972 | 55.8 |
| 2008 | 634 | 297 | 337 | - | 972 | 56.8 |
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.