About the school
Cambewarra Public School is located at the foothills of Cambewarra Mountain, whose name derives from two Aboriginal words, 'cambe', meaning fire, and 'warra', meaning a high place or mountain. Established in 1859 with an initial enrolment of 48 students, the school now supports approximately 250 students, with 10% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The school prides itself on providing a caring and supportive learning environment, earning an outstanding reputation within the local community. Cambewarra Public School fosters strong and genuine partnerships with families, which are essential for supporting its shared vision and school plan focus areas. The school boasts a positive and active Parent and Citizen (P&C) association and offers Out of School Care programs for working families, along with a well-regarded Vacation Care program. Additionally, a Defence Mentor program is in place for families associated with the defence community.
Collaboration is key at Cambewarra Public School, where there is a strong emphasis on resource sharing, expertise, and practices within the school community. The school has authentic partnerships with the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, working towards fulfilling the Partnership Agreement between the group and the NSW Department of Education for 2020-2030.
The core values of the school are encapsulated in its motto: 'We strive for the Highest', alongside commitments to kindness, responsibility, and teamwork. This ethos shapes the school culture, creating an environment where each student can thrive academically and personally.
Mission
At Cambewarra Public School, our vision is to foster a community where everyone is happy, engaged, and connected. Guided by our values of striving for the highest, kindness, responsibility, and teamwork, we work together to create a supportive environment where every individual can thrive.
Location & Catchment Area
- Cambewarra Public School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Havenlee School 4.2 km
- B North Nowra Public School 4.2 km
- C Bomaderry High School 4.9 km
- D Illaroo Road Public School 5.2 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 216 (113 girls, 103 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 216
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 1029 (percentile 59)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 19% / 35% / 29% / 18%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 73
- Indigenous students
- 11%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 5%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 13.1
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 2.5
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 30 |
| Year 1 | 28 |
| Year 2 | 24 |
| Year 3 | 29 |
| Year 4 | 38 |
| Year 5 | 38 |
| Year 6 | 29 |
| Total | 216 |
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 | 216 | 113 | 103 | - | 1029 | 13.1 |
| 2024 | 219 | 116 | 103 | 89.5 | 1020 | 16.4 |
| 2023 | 228 | 117 | 111 | 89.3 | 1010 | 16.4 |
| 2022 | 239 | 119 | 120 | 85.9 | 1016 | 16.3 |
| 2021 | 251 | 129 | 122 | 93.2 | 1018 | 16.2 |
| 2020 | 248 | 127 | 121 | - | 1019 | 16.3 |
| 2019 | 266 | 145 | 121 | 93.1 | 1015 | 16.3 |
| 2018 | 300 | 154 | 146 | 93.6 | 988 | 16.3 |
| 2017 | 308 | 159 | 149 | 94.2 | 1003 | 16 |
| 2016 | 307 | 158 | 149 | 94.3 | 1006 | 17 |
| 2015 | 298 | 159 | 139 | 93.5 | 1008 | 15.7 |
| 2014 | 318 | 163 | 155 | 95.1 | 1015 | 17 |
| 2013 | 316 | 156 | 160 | 94.6 | 1018 | 17 |
| 2012 | 318 | 155 | 163 | 94.8 | 1035 | 16.5 |
| 2011 | 304 | 140 | 164 | 94.1 | 1044 | 15.2 |
| 2010 | 305 | 146 | 159 | - | 1042 | 15.2 |
| 2009 | 304 | 149 | 155 | - | 1042 | 15.4 |
| 2008 | 291 | 140 | 151 | - | 1042 | 14.9 |
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.