About the school
Nowra High School is a proud member of the Shoalhaven River Public Education Learning Community, serving a student population of 1,120, which includes 76 Indigenous students. The school employs 105 teachers and support staff, including School Counsellors, a Career Adviser, a Defence Transition Mentor, and a Youth Worker, to support the diverse learning and social needs of its students. Nowra High provides four support classes for students with special needs and is recognised as a Centre for Excellence in the National Partnerships program, emphasizing teacher quality and student achievement.
The school boasts a long history of academic, sporting, cultural, and performing arts success, enrolling students from 18 public and privately funded schools within the Shoalhaven region. Nowra High offers a broad curriculum, leading to the award of the Higher School Certificate, alongside vocational education and training courses delivered in collaboration with TAFE NSW and private providers.
The mission of Nowra High School is to support students in developing high self-esteem, becoming self-directed learners, and achieving academic success. Students are encouraged to generalise learning to various contexts while also being instilled with a sense of environmental stewardship and compassion for others. The school aims to equip its students with the necessary knowledge and skills to maintain positive relationships and contribute responsibly to their communities.
Mission
Mission
Nowra High School inspires young learners to become kind, motivated, and productive members of their community, fostering a culture of compassion and active engagement through education.
Location & Catchment Area
- Nowra High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Nowra East Public School 1.1 km
- B Nowra Public School 1.1 km
- C Terara Public School 2.0 km
- D Illaroo Road Public School 2.3 km
- E Shoalhaven High School 2.7 km
- F Bomaderry Public School 2.8 km
- G Bomaderry High School 3.3 km
- H North Nowra Public School 3.5 km
- I Havenlee School 3.6 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 777 (416 girls, 361 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 777
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 944 (percentile 22)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 46% / 30% / 17% / 7%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 111
- Indigenous students
- 21%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 8%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 66.7
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 20.7
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 142 |
| Year 8 | 161 |
| Year 9 | 136 |
| Year 10 | 141 |
| Year 11 | 112 |
| Year 12 | 85 |
| Total | 777 |
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 | 777 | 416 | 361 | - | 944 | 66.7 |
| 2024 | 786 | 412 | 374 | 80 | 953 | 74.6 |
| 2023 | 774 | 406 | 368 | 81.1 | 953 | 71.9 |
| 2022 | 849 | 435 | 414 | 78.7 | 956 | 71 |
| 2021 | 892 | 452 | 440 | 85.4 | 959 | 71 |
| 2020 | 897 | 449 | 448 | - | 961 | 69.4 |
| 2019 | 893 | 453 | 440 | 88.1 | 971 | 68.8 |
| 2018 | 916 | 466 | 450 | 88.3 | 964 | 69.6 |
| 2017 | 959 | 493 | 466 | 91.7 | 965 | 73 |
| 2016 | 1,009 | 516 | 493 | 89.9 | 973 | 74.7 |
| 2015 | 1,010 | 487 | 523 | 89.6 | 973 | 75.2 |
| 2014 | 1,060 | 517 | 543 | 90.9 | 971 | 75.4 |
| 2013 | 1,070 | 551 | 519 | 90.3 | 982 | 76 |
| 2012 | 1,049 | 546 | 503 | 90.5 | 981 | 73.6 |
| 2011 | 1,025 | 557 | 468 | 89.3 | 974 | 74.1 |
| 2010 | 1,058 | 576 | 482 | - | 974 | 76.5 |
| 2009 | 1,064 | 575 | 489 | - | 1004 | 77.5 |
| 2008 | 1,088 | 586 | 502 | - | 1004 | 78.4 |
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.