Gwydir Shire: Education

Education is where the Gwydir Shire really shines. As well as various primary schools across Bingara, Warialda and the outlying villages, the Gwydir Shire has established the Gwydir Learning Region to promote the importance of lifelong learning. The Gwydir Learning Region is a cooperative venture involving the Gwydir Shire Council, the New England Institute of TAFE, Bingara Central School, Warialda High School, Adult Learning and the University of New England.

Junior Schools

Croppa Creek Public School

Address: Apsley Cres, Croppa Creek Croppa-Creek-Public-School
Phone: 02 6754 5215
Website: www.croppacrk-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Croppa Creek Public School is a small, rural, isolated school of 14 students, situated 65 km north east of Moree. Our vision for our students is that they will acquire skills, values and behaviours that equip them to develop into people of high integrity, honour, and self esteem. We aim to implement balanced, enjoyable, teaching-learning programs that develop strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, stimulate high creativity, and promote physical coordination and teamwork. Our goal is that the students of Croppa Creek Public School acquire successful work, recreational and adaptation skills necessary for the rapidly changing world in which we live.

Gravesend Public School

Address: Gwydir St, Gravesend St Francis Xavier
Phone: 02 6729 7159
Website: www.gravesend-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Provides a rich and caring environment, stimulating active learning for all students. Is characterised by its family atmosphere and excellent resources. Emphasises meeting the needs of individual students. Is a significant resource in the community, valued and supported by community members.

North Star Public School

Address: Edward St, North Star
Phone: 07 4676 3128
Website: www.northstar-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

North Star is known as the ‘heart of the Golden Triangle’, a prime wheat-growing area in north-west NSW. Our school is caring and supportive, providing an enjoyable, stimulating and challenging environment. We continually strive to ensure that our students receive a high quality education. Students are encouraged to care about their schoolwork and each other, and to strive to reach their potential. Our teachers aim to give students the best possible opportunities in academic, cultural, sporting and social areas. We aim, in particular, to have our Year 6 students very well prepared for their transition to Year 7. The school and community are proud of the students’ outstanding results in the international academic competitions for schools. Our sporting achievements in swimming and athletics at a local and state level are exceptional for a small school. Our students participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, Sporting Challenge and Spelling Bee as well as the Multicultural Public Speaking and Debating competitions. We are involved in the local ANZAC Day march and service, CWA International Day and support a Foster Child in Indonesia. We aim ‘To be the best we can be’.

St Joseph’s Catholic School

Address: 25 Plunkett Street, Warialda St-Joshephs-Warialda
Phone: 02 6729 1328
Website: http://www.stjosephswarialda.catholic.edu.au

St Joseph’s Primary School is a small co-educational Catholic primary school situated in Warialda within the Diocese of Armidale. Established in 1904 by the Sisters of St Joseph, our school promotes and values academic excellence and provides a balanced, personalised curriculum with a strong focus on student wellbeing.

The school strives to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive, that encourages and supports relationships that are positive and authentic.

Warialda Public School

Address: Hope St, Warialda Warialda-Public-School
Phone: 02 6729 1131
Website: www.warialda-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Warialda Public School was established in 1851, making it amongst the oldest in the state. The school services the township of Warialda and the surrounding rural areas in the Gwydir Shire. Its student population is 167, with more than half of the students travelling to school by bus. The school is well resourced with a spacious, well-grassed and well maintained playground in an attractive setting. It is staffed by a mixture of beginning and experienced teachers and support staff. There is a strong emphasis placed on literacy, numeracy and the integration of technology and higher order thinking skills. Warialda Public School offers a wide range of student based programs that promote quality education.

Yetman Public School

Address: Warialda St, Yetman Yetman-Public-School
Phone: 07 4675 3150
Website: www.yetman-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

Yetman Public School has as its motto “Play The Game”. Our motto promotes the concepts of inclusiveness, social development, dedication to academic improvement and achievement, enthusiastic involvement in sporting contests and the continual growth of the human spirit. The town of Yetman is isolated in terms of access to facilities usually found in larger centres. Regardless of these difficult circumstances, the school and community have worked collectively to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to develop and achieve their maximum potential. Regardless of the community spirit and commitment, Yetman has witnessed, over the course of a number of years, a reduction in the numbers of families within the town and farming community. As a result the school has declined in numbers over the past thirty years and the trend will continue slowly over the next few years.

Central Schools

Bingara Central School

Address: Finch St, Bingara Bingara-Central-School
Phone: 02 6724 1606
Website: www.bingara-c.schools.nsw.edu.au

Bingara Central School has a proud tradition of providing quality education for the children of our community. The school caters for and supports the individual learning needs of students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The school has a strong focus on middle schooling and on strategies to deliver an extensive Stage 6 curriculum, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their potential. One of the key strengths of the curriculum at Bingara Central School is our vocational courses. All students can choose from a wide range of programs that are relevant to them and to their career aspirations. We are proud of the excellence and commitment of our staff, who ensure that the needs of each student are catered for on an individual basis. We also receive excellent support from parents, community members and local businesses, enabling strong and effective partnerships for the benefit of our students. Our school is part of the Gwydir Learning Region, a strong partnership between educators and community organisations which aims to provide a quality future for our young people while assisting in the long-term sustainability of our community. Every student is valued at Bingara Central School.

High Schools

Warialda High School

Address: Apollo Ave, Warialda Warialda-High-School
Phone: 02 6729 1000
Website: www.warialda-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

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.

Wee Waa High School

Address: Purcell Ave, Wee Waa Macintyre High School
Phone: 02 6795 4477
Website: www.weewaa-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

Wee Waa High provides a diverse curriculum for both senior and junior students. A range of subjects cater for students intending to pursue tertiary education and a strong vocational education program in five subjects meets student needs and interests in gaining industry qualifications. The principal’s recommendation scheme to several universities enhances the opportunities for students to select the university and course of their choice. A committed staff regularly provide after hours coaching and support for seniors in small or class groups. Fourteen senior students attended after hours coaching in five subjects areas. This included a student in the preliminary year. Six students attended twenty hours of coaching each. The senior study room was used for small group lessons and individual study. Two senior staff members provided in-school coaching for four hours per week for senior students in addition to the after hours coaching program. Special excursions during the year to cater for students’ needs included a senior geography, music and business studies trip to Sydney and a gifted and talented science trip to the opening of Science Week in Sydney.

Further Education

Community College Northern Inland

Bingara
Address: 6 Riddell Street, Bingara
Phone: 02 6724 1965

Warialda
Phone: 02 6729 1487

Website: communitycollegeni.nsw.edu.au

Community College Northern Inland provides innovative education and employment related training programs to meet the needs of our local communities.
Community College Northern Inland provides a regular service to the communities of: Barraba, Bingara, Gunnedah, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Warialda and other targeted areas as needs are identified.

TAFE New England

Address: 87 Barwan Street TAFE-New-England
Phone: 02 6792 8805

TAFE New England Narrabri campus serves the wider community of Narrabri, located in the prime agricultural and gas/coal mining region of the Namoi River valley. The district is home to numerous scientific and agricultural research facilities, sporting venues and natural attractions, including the Nandewar Ranges, Yarrie Lake and Pilliga Scrub.

Our campus offers a range of courses and flexible learning options to suit the needs of people with career plans in the fields of aged care, building and construction, business and financial services, children’s services, information and communication technology, metal fabrication and visual arts. Traineeships and targeted short courses are offered to support local industry. A range of general education and work skills programs are also available to prepare students for work and further study.