About the school
Lord Howe Island Central School is the most remote school in the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, distinguished by its unique location and community. The school serves a diverse student body, consisting of both permanent residents and families living on the island for work. It offers comprehensive learning opportunities for students from Kindergarten to Year 6 and implements the New South Wales Quality Teaching Framework as a basis for its curriculum.
Community Involvement
The school is a central part of the Lord Howe Island community, which actively supports it in various ways. Local government and businesses play a crucial role in providing resources and experiences that enhance the educational offerings. The school hosts various extracurricular activities, cultivates strong relationships, and promotes community involvement.
Learning Programs
In addition to traditional curriculum offerings, Lord Howe Island Central School operates a Distance Education Learning Centre for secondary education in partnership with Camden Haven High School. An innovative 'Transition to School' program was introduced in 2010 to accommodate the lack of formal preschool options on the island, ensuring that all children receive quality support in their developmental years.
Focus on Sustainability
Situated in a World Heritage Area, the school places a strong emphasis on environmental education, encouraging students to develop sustainable practices for the future. With a commitment to effective technology practices, the school strives to enhance student learning and development, making education here not only focused on academic success but on holistic growth.
Mission
Today for Tomorrow. We are a school that proudly serves our Lord Howe Island community. We offer a high-quality, face to face teaching for Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
Location & Catchment Area
- Lord Howe Island Central School
Catchment zones
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A South West Rocks Public School 577.7 km
- B Crescent Head Public School 580.3 km
- C Kinchela Public School 580.4 km
- D Sandy Beach Public School 582.0 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 35 (18 girls, 17 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 35
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 1009 (percentile 51)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 17% / 41% / 26% / 15%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 55
- Indigenous students
- 0%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 29%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 3.7
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 0.9
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 2 |
| Year 1 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 9 |
| Year 4 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 |
| Year 6 | 5 |
| Total | 35 |
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 | 35 | 18 | 17 | - | 1009 | 3.7 |
| 2024 | 42 | 22 | 20 | 89.1 | 1001 | 3.7 |
| 2023 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 92.9 | 1019 | 3.7 |
| 2022 | 41 | 22 | 19 | 89.1 | 1022 | 3.7 |
| 2021 | 37 | 24 | 13 | 89.6 | 1036 | 3.5 |
| 2020 | 39 | 23 | 16 | - | 1058 | 3.5 |
| 2019 | 42 | 21 | 21 | 91 | 1049 | 3.5 |
| 2018 | 40 | 24 | 16 | 92.1 | 1020 | 3.5 |
| 2017 | 35 | 20 | 15 | 89.7 | 1029 | 3.5 |
| 2016 | 30 | 14 | 16 | 91.1 | 1070 | 3.4 |
| 2015 | 34 | 20 | 14 | 94.2 | 1052 | 3.4 |
| 2014 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 91.2 | 1054 | 3.9 |
| 2013 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 92.3 | 1019 | 3.4 |
| 2012 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 90.1 | 1128 | 3.9 |
| 2011 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 92.5 | 1156 | 3.9 |
| 2010 | 24 | 11 | 13 | - | 1156 | 3.8 |
| 2009 | 31 | 14 | 17 | - | 1163 | 3.3 |
| 2008 | 32 | 16 | 16 | - | 1163 | 3.3 |
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.