Education in the Tenterfield Shire

Located in the heart of town, TAFE NSW Tenterfield is an epicentre of modern education for the people of northern NSW.

Utilising digitally-enabled technologies, TAFE NSW Tenterfield offers a revolutionary learning experience, with hands on training and world class learning facilities in everything from cyber security, community services and customer service to civil construction.

In addition to the main unviersity campus located in Armidale, the University of New England (UNE) has a network of Regional Study Centres across New England and North West NSW.

Through the Regional Study Centre Network, students can access:

• Student PC's and printing facilities
• eduroam Wifi and access to the AARNet network
• BYO device workstations
• Direct phone link to UNE academic and professional staff
• Extend access to study space

Bendemeer Public School is a small rural school situated 40 minutes from Tamworth. We have the benefit of being closely located to a large community, which promotes opportunities for physical and human resources to support the education of our students.

Bendemeer Public School is committed to providing a sharing of learning with other small schools in the Tamworth Small Schools cluster and the New England Alliance+ Leadership Project.

Our students participate in sport, arts and across curriculum areas on a regular basis. Wherever possible, the school leaders and staff work together collaboratively as a learning team to enhance our knowledge of current teaching and learning practices.

This school serves the village community of Carroll and its rural surrounds.

Parents have chosen Carroll Public School because they value the atmosphere, individual learning opportunities and secure environment of the small school situation.

The school provides opportunities for students to become involved in activities with other schools and in community events, so that the students gain the confidence and experience necessary to cope in a world outside Carroll.

Chandler Public School is a great place for your child to learn. Our small class sizes allow teachers to devote more individual time and attention to students and give students greater access to our exceptional resources. School programs are individually targeted to ensure that all students reach their academic, sporting and creative potential. The genuine relationship between staff, students and our families ensures our school maintains a high standard of academic success in a positive, nurturing environment. We encourage high parent and community involvement through sports coaching, special lessons, activity days and classroom assistance. All children develop strong networks through the grades. This enhances social and leadership skills through supportive friendships across age groups. Our highly-qualified staff implement quality educational programs that give every student the opportunity to reach their potential. Innovative technology programs prepare our students for their future. We offer a wide range of extracurricular activities including many major educational excursions, public speaking, sports programs, interschool days and a focus on sustainable living programs.  

We offer a very effective transition programme in Terms 3 & 4.  We employ an early education teacher specifically for the role.  This programme allows children exposure to routines, early academic intervention and the ability to prepare themselves for the challanges of Kindergarden. We invite you to come in for a visit to see the great education on offer for your child. 

Drake Public School is a rural school located 50km east of Tenterfield in the New England Tablelands.

We are committed to providing an exciting, challenging and interesting learning environment allowing students to leave Drake Public School as proud, creative, discerning life-learners, ready for the transition into high school and capable of being productive members of the community.

We welcome students and their families to our well resourced school, which provides a consistent, safe and supportive environment in which all our students can reach their full potential.

Our school aims to assist in the development of happy children who are good citizens, always caring of others, motivated, conscientious, confident and self-disciplined. 

Due to our small class size and outstanding student to teacher ratios, we are able to provide each of our students with a learning plan specifically tailored to their individual needs and talents. 

Ebor Public School is special in that each of our students has their own computer, which is dedicated to their use of technology across all the Key Learning Areas. 

New programs include our environmental education community partnerships and our achievements in the creative and practical Arts. 

Literacy and numeracy are school focus areas, which are further supported by extra Department of Education staffing and funding. 

Students participate in regular excursions and Combined Small Schools' Days, providing many opportunities for students to interact and learn within a large group of peers. 

We have a supportive parents and citizens' association (P&C) with parents who are invited to be actively involved in their children's school life. If you are interested in any special activities, such as supporting student reading, being involved in the Active After School Communities (AASC) sports program, or have other talents you would like to share, you will be more than welcome at our small school! 

Ebor Public School plays an important role in our community by providing a focal point for many community and school based meetings or activities. 

The pride we have in our school is reflected in our school motto: While we learn we grow. 

Kelly's Plains School is a community school where communication between children, teachers and parents is emphasised.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility and a leadership role in the school, supported by a caring community of teachers and parents who all work together for the good of the students.

Relationships between all groups are strong, with many parents visiting the school on a daily basis.

Mutual respect is a key feature of the school, resulting in well behaved students who are proud of their school and who are well disciplined.

The school is well resourced and boasts a well laid out, extensive playground with plenty of equipment to encourage physical play.

The teachers and students at Martin's Gully Public School work together within a happy and supportive educational environment to ensure that everyone realises their full potential.

Situated on the southern outskirts of Armidale, with a school population of approximately 170 students, we enjoy a reputation as a high achieving school where strong emphasis is placed on literacy and numeracy, and where children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of creative, academic, sporting and personal development activities.

We are a member of the Armidale Community of Public Schools working together to provide the best possible education for all students through extension programs and activities in literacy, numeracy, science, creative arts and sport. Our primary-secondary transition programs promote important links with our neighbouring high school.

We are well resourced and provide the students access to the latest technologies. Students have access to computers both in their classroom and via a computer lab. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards and innovative software contributing to quality teaching in every classroom.

The school promotes its positive, family ethos through parent participation in their children's education and an active Parents and Citizens Association. The school supports and encourages student leadership, and promotes the values of care, concern and cooperation amongst the school community.

Our attractive grounds, rural outlook and expansive playgrounds complement our excellent learning facilities.

Nemingha Public School's beautiful rural setting on the outskirts of Tamworth allows our students to grow and thrive in a safe and caring environment. 

We support approximately 200 students with a comprehensive education through our academic, sporting, performing arts and technology programs. Our highly qualified and dedicated teachers have a strong focus on their own professional learning, ensuring that their teaching standards remain second to none. This exceptional teaching is combined with a commitment to the continuous improvement of learning outcomes, particularly in the core areas of literacy and numeracy. 

We welcome the involvement of parents and our community in the school, and we are very fortunate to have outstanding support from our community, often long after their own children have moved on to high school and successful futures. 

Our community has high expectations of Nemingha Public School and our commitment is to meet and exceed those expectations in continued academic excellence.

The parents and the wider community of Niangala Public School highly value education and consider the school a valuable asset of their community. The school is a focal point for community activity and thus experiences strong parent and community support. There is high parent involvement in all aspects of school management and student programs.

The curriculum provides an environment where creativity is fostered and independent learning is encouraged and practised. There is a strong focus on literacy, numeracy, peer leadership, sport, drama and public speaking.

The school aims to equip students to be life-long learners who have a sense of self worth and personal identity and who will contribute to their society as responsible citizens. The school staff, students and parents exhibit considerable pride in all forms of presentation. This is reflected in the quality of students' work, personal appearance, public performances and care of the school environment.

The school provides individual enrichment for students whilst ensuring comprehensive educational experiences that enhance academic, cultural, physical and social development.

Within the small school environment children are encouraged to work independently and co-operatively and become self-motivated learners.

The emphasis is on the basic skills areas of literacy and numeracy, but the school also provides a wide range of experiences, particularly in creative arts.

At St Joseph’s School we have been educating the children of tenterfield and the surrounding district for over 130 years.

Established in 1880 by the Sisters of St Joseph, St Joseph’s School is a quality primary school with 127 students, located in Tenterfield in the New England Region of NSW. Our school has large spacious grounds, modern open plan classrooms and experienced, committed staff.

St Joseph’s prides itself on the high standard of education using Quality Teaching and Learning strategies, where every child is challenged and valued for their unique gifts.

Our school has embedded the ‘Living Well, Learning Well’ student support framework with the three pillars that all students know and understand:

• I am Safe
• I am Valued, Respected and Cared for
• I am a Learner

One of the defining features of our school is the strong relationship between family, school, parish and the wider community.

At Tenterfield High School, we aim to promote a dynamic, engaging and positive learning environment, encouraging high expectations that support lifelong learners.

Our rural school is situated 18km south of the Queensland border and caters for the needs of approximately 260 students including 10% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.  Quality teaching and learning form the basis for excellent educational initiatives, ranging from a embedded literacy and numeracy programs, a learning centre, study hall, teacher/student mentors and successful vocational education programs.

Our students are well recognised as active citizens within the community and reach state level in a variety of co- and extra- curricula pursuits. Staff range from experienced to early career and are committed to improving the educational opportunities at Tenterfield High School to reflect modern teaching and learning practices.

Our school enjoys very strong parent and community support with significant ties to our local Aboriginal community. We have an extensive and inclusive student welfare system in place.

The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School, with an enrolment of 224 students (including 19% Aboriginal students) is an inclusive, welcoming and friendly school, supported by a close-knit community. 

Our students receive a dynamic education and are provided with opportunities to foster individual talents and interests.  Our school is part of the Early Action for Success (EAfS) initiative. One multi-categorical class operates at the school.

The Parents and Citizens' Association and Aboriginal Education Consultative Group are both integral parts of the school, committed to working collaboratively with the staff to enhance learning opportunities. The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school, and our wellbeing policy is underpinned with Restorative Practices. Teamwork and staff participation is highly valued with staff involved in a collaborative approach to school-wide planning and assessment. 

Our dedicated staff inspires children to have a love of learning using innovative and challenging educational programs, such as L3, TEN, creative arts groups, individual and team sports, public speaking, debating and dance.

Strong emphasis is placed on the skills of literacy and numeracy with technology integrated into all Key Learning Areas. 

Students, staff and the community at Walcha Central work together to provide a quality education, K-12, which encourages all students in leadership and responsibility and to achieve their personal best. Students enjoy a broad and responsive curriculum delivered by highly qualified and professional staff in a friendly and safe environment. Outstanding Higher School Certificate results are obtained and have been sustained over recent years. Parent and community members are encouraged to participate fully in the life of their local public school. Further, a consistent program of religious education is provided by community members.

The Warialda High community guides each student towards independent and responsible citizenship by providing a balanced and relevant curriculum within a caring and stimulating environment. Our school offers the widest possible range of subjects to prepare students for life after school, whether in the work force, at university, or in other training institutions. The school encourages as many students as possible to graduate with the dual accreditation of a Higher School Certificate and industry recognised knowledge and skills.All our students are given many opportunities to participate in academic, cultural, vocational and sporting activities.

Warialda High draws students from the township of Warialda as well as from surrounding villages and towns up to eighty kilometres away. A committed School Council and an active Parents and Citizens' Association (P&C) provide positive and valued input into school decision-making. Our school and the wider community maintain a close and mutually supportive relationship, particularly in the areas of sport and vocational education. We are proud of the education we offer our community and the opportunities we provide for individual success now and in the future.

Woolbrook Public School provides our students with the opportunity to achieve their potential in a supportive environment, but also one that challenges them with high expectations for their success.  We encourage parents to become more familiar with their children's progress and the teaching and learning strategies employed by our school.

Yarrowitch is a small isolated school situated fifty kilometres east of Walcha.

The school, established in 1887, serves a rural community. The school is located in picturesque grounds with excellent facilities and is the focal point of the local community.

Yarrowitch Public School will provide a happy, caring and positively reinforced learning environment in which pupils will reach their optimum potential. Emphasis will continue to be placed on high standards in literacy and numerary through teacher and parent inservicing and the purchase and use of related hands-on resources.

With our progressive and holistic early childhood education philosophy, we understand that each child has unique needs and interests. We provide the environment and tools your child needs to thrive to the best of their abilities.

When we expose children to different environments and various learning experiences, we allow them to explore their self-awareness and gain a sense of the world around them. Once they leave Tenterfield Child Care Centre, they’re fully prepared for the next stage of their young lives.

With our Preschool Program, we believe in teaching children to be independent. We encourage them to explore what interests them academically, while also developing social relationships with other students.

In our Infant Program, we provide a soothing atmosphere focused on each child's  natural feeding, sleeping and play patterns. We strive for the most at-home environment as possible, ensuring full comfortability. Mindful of a toddler’s needs and interests, our Infant's Program is designed to give each child the learning opportunities they deserve. We focus on providing routines while encouraging sharing and independence.

It is our mission to provide a quality Preschool service for local children, so that they are not disadvantaged because they live in a remote farming community. We aim to prepare the children socially for school and life, in a quality childcare environment. We endeavour to provide an opportunity for these children to integrate with each other, as well as with their peers, in a caring and stimulating setting.