Caldera School
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Enrolment at this school is not organised by year levels.
About the school
Caldera School is a Specific Purpose school located in Tweed Heads South, New South Wales, catering to students in Years 7 to 12 who exhibit significant challenging behaviours. This alternative education facility is designed to provide a medium to long term program aimed at supporting students through their completion of Year 12 or transition into the workforce and wider community. Established to meet the unique needs of students whose behaviour or emotional state precludes them from conventional schooling, Caldera School began its operations in 2008.
The school collaborates closely with the Kamala, Child and Adolescent In-Patient Unit, an acute mental health inpatient facility co-located with the Lismore Base Hospital. This partnership underscores the commitment of Caldera School to address the mental health needs of its students through integrated support services and therapeutic programs.
Caldera School fosters an inclusive environment welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, especially those referred from mainstream schools. The dedicated staff focuses on individualised learning, ensuring each child's needs are met and promoting a sense of safety and belonging. The school not only emphasises academic growth but also the development of life skills, resilience, and social competencies critical for personal success beyond the classroom. Families are actively involved in the educational process, co-designing learning plans tailored to their children's unique requirements.
Mission
We help every student to learn, grow and succeed. We empower every student to build a strong foundation for a fulfilling future by fostering resilience, life skills, career development and a sense of belonging.
Location & Catchment Area
- Caldera School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Tweed River High School 1.4 km
- B Tweed Heads South Public School 1.4 km
- C Centaur Public School 1.5 km
- D Banora Point High School 1.6 km
- E Banora Point Public School 1.7 km
- F Fingal Head Public School 2.9 km
- G Tweed Heads Public School 4.3 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 24 (7 girls, 17 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 24
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 936 (percentile 20)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 45% / 27% / 17% / 10%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 155
- Indigenous students
- 33%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 0%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 8.2
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 9
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Secondary ungraded | 24 |
| Total | 24 |
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 | 24 | 7 | 17 | - | 936 | 8.2 |
| 2024 | 26 | 6 | 20 | 50.6 | 913 | 8.2 |
| 2023 | 27 | 6 | 21 | 39.7 | 906 | 8.2 |
| 2022 | 23 | 6 | 17 | 35.9 | 922 | 8.2 |
| 2021 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 49.5 | 918 | 8 |
| 2020 | 26 | 8 | 18 | - | 892 | 8 |
| 2019 | 26 | 9 | 17 | - | 889 | 8 |
| 2018 | 29 | 5 | 24 | - | 864 | 8 |
| 2017 | 27 | 4 | 23 | - | - | 8 |
| 2016 | 26 | 3 | 23 | - | - | 8.2 |
| 2015 | 27 | 5 | 22 | - | - | 8.2 |
| 2014 | 20 | 3 | 17 | - | - | 8.2 |
| 2013 | 21 | 5 | 16 | - | - | 8.4 |
| 2012 | 19 | 6 | 13 | - | - | 8.4 |
| 2011 | 19 | 8 | 11 | - | - | 8.4 |
| 2010 | 18 | 5 | 13 | - | - | 7.3 |
| 2009 | 30 | 5 | 25 | - | 919 | 7.3 |
| 2008 | 26 | 4 | 22 | - | 919 | 5.3 |
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.