About the school
Illawarra Sports High School is a designated specialist sports high school providing a comprehensive curriculum for students from Years 7 to 12. Located in the Southern Wollongong area, the school serves a range of students, including those from the broader Illawarra region, who are drawn to its specialised sports programs. The school offers a talented sports and development program, covering various sporting areas such as football, rugby league, rugby union, baseball, track and field, oztag, touch football, Australian Football League, surfing, and netball, while also supporting students involved in sports like tennis and swimming without coaching options.
Academic Focus
Illawarra Sports High School prioritises a respectful and responsible learning environment, striving for excellence and high expectations among its students. The school implements strategies to enhance literacy and numeracy skills, including professional learning for teachers using individual NAPLAN data to inform their teaching practices. It has enrichment classes for Year 7 and Year 8, focusing on cross-curricular teaching of literacy and numeracy. Furthermore, targeted academic programs and a strong vocational education and training (VET) program are also offered.
Community Engagement and Support
The school has established close links with the University of Wollongong, engaging students through the In2Uni program. It also provides support tailored for Aboriginal students, enhancing literacy and numeracy through special programs. The active student body participates in leadership activities, with a representative council and growing debating and public speaking opportunities. Recent achievements include notable success in statewide sporting competitions, solidifying the school's reputation for both athletic and academic excellence.
Mission
Illawarra Sports High School is a comprehensive high school that offers a wide variety of learning experiences and opportunities for all students.
Location & Catchment Area
- Illawarra Sports High School
Nearby or Connected Schools
- A Berkeley Public School 298 m
- B Berkeley West Public School 1.3 km
- C Lake Heights Public School 1.7 km
- D Cringila Public School 1.8 km
- E Warrawong High School 2.0 km
- F Warrawong Public School 2.2 km
- G Farmborough Road Public School 2.8 km
- H Primbee Public School 3.5 km
- I Hayes Park Public School 3.6 km
- J Kemblawarra Public School 3.8 km
- K Unanderra Public School 4.3 km
- L Figtree Public School 4.4 km
Profile (2025)
- Total enrolments
- 926 (380 girls, 546 boys)
- Enrolments (FTE) What does this mean?
- 925.8
- ICSEA What does this mean?
- 937 (percentile 20)
- SEA quarters What does this mean?
- 52% / 29% / 14% / 5%
- FOEI What does this mean?
- 127
- Indigenous students
- 17%
- LBOTE What does this mean?
- 19%
- Teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 80
- Non-teaching staff (FTE) What does this mean?
- 20.4
Enrolments by grade (2025)
| Grade | Headcount |
|---|---|
| Year 7 | 209 |
| Year 8 | 190 |
| Year 9 | 136 |
| Year 10 | 175 |
| Year 11 | 126 |
| Year 12 | 90 |
| Total | 926 |
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 | 926 | 380 | 546 | - | 937 | 80 |
| 2024 | 850 | 347 | 503 | 77.6 | 933 | 74.2 |
| 2023 | 830 | 349 | 481 | 77.1 | 930 | 71.8 |
| 2022 | 840 | 362 | 478 | 73.9 | 922 | 73 |
| 2021 | 862 | 352 | 510 | 81.2 | 924 | 71.4 |
| 2020 | 810 | 322 | 488 | - | 919 | 69.8 |
| 2019 | 766 | 307 | 459 | 82.9 | 920 | 67 |
| 2018 | 737 | 305 | 432 | 84.4 | 914 | 64.3 |
| 2017 | 691 | 273 | 418 | 84.7 | 912 | 61.6 |
| 2016 | 708 | 286 | 422 | 85.5 | 909 | 62.8 |
| 2015 | 684 | 302 | 382 | 85.5 | 914 | 59.5 |
| 2014 | 714 | 326 | 388 | 87 | 916 | 60 |
| 2013 | 715 | 336 | 379 | 84.9 | 917 | 60.2 |
| 2012 | 828 | 364 | 464 | 83 | 925 | 64 |
| 2011 | 884 | 399 | 485 | 84.1 | 924 | 65.4 |
| 2010 | 920 | 437 | 483 | - | 927 | 68.2 |
| 2009 | 904 | 420 | 484 | - | 981 | 68.1 |
| 2008 | 1,000 | 436 | 564 | - | 981 | 71.3 |
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.