## Overview
Forbes High School is a public high school serving Forbes and the surrounding rural NSW community. It caters to students in Years 7–12 and focuses on delivering practical, real-world learning in a supportive, community-driven environment. The school aims to provide a balanced program that prepares students for both further study and local opportunities in the region.
- School type: Public
- School size: Medium
- Class size: Approximately 20–24 students per class (subject to year level and subject choice)
- Atmosphere/culture: Inclusive, nurturing, and community-focused with an emphasis on practical learning and student wellbeing
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## Academics & Learning
Forbes High School emphasizes solid core curricula with opportunities to explore STEM, humanities, and practical subjects. The school supports student growth through a blend of classroom learning, hands-on activities, and pathways to further study or vocational training.
- Academic strengths: Core English and Mathematics, strength in STEM subjects, opportunities in practical and hands-on learning
- Special programs: Vocational Education and Training (VET) options where available; accelerated or enrichment pathways; gifted and talented support where offered
- NAPLAN / trends: Recent years show stable literacy and numeracy performance with gradual improvements in some cohorts; trends reflect typical rural NSW public school patterns
- Student-teacher ratios: Generally around 1:18 to 1:22, subject to year level and course
- Support for diverse learners: EAL support and a Learning Support Team; SEN provisions and adjustments to support inclusive learning
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## Sports & Extracurricular Strengths
A strong feature for families seeking balanced development, Forbes High School offers a range of sports, arts, and clubs with a focus on participation, teamwork, and achievement.
- Sports offered: Common Australian high school options such as rugby league, cricket, soccer, athletics, and swimming (subject to season and staffing)
- Strong teams or achievements: Competitive participation in district events; emphasis on teamwork, skill development, and school representation
- Music, arts, drama programs: Regular music and performing arts opportunities; school productions and ensembles
- Clubs: Robotics, chess, coding, debating, and other project-based clubs
- Partnerships: Local community groups and district competitions that provide additional opportunities for involvement and external events
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## Wellbeing & Pastoral Care
Wellbeing and pastoral support are central to student success, with structures in place to foster a safe and supportive environment.
- Anti-bullying approach: Clear policies, student education, and reporting pathways; emphasis on respectful behaviour and peer support
- House system: A house-based framework to support belonging, leadership, and friendly competition
- Counselors / wellbeing officers: Access to school counsellors and wellbeing staff to support mental health and transitions
- Transition support for new students: Orientation activities, buddy programs, and targeted support for Year 7 and new entrants
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## Facilities
Forbes High School provides a range of facilities to support learning, recreation, and creative expression.
- Sports grounds: Outdoor fields and facilities for physical education and team sports
- Libraries: Central library resources and study spaces
- Science labs: Equipped laboratories for practical science work
- Music/performing arts centers: Space for music practice and performances
- Tech/innovation labs: Resources for ICT and practical technology activities
- Cafeteria: On-site canteen or food service for students
- Updated playgrounds: Safe and accessible outdoor play and social spaces
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## School Values & Community Culture
The school encourages values that support responsible citizenship, leadership, and community engagement.
- School values / mission: Focus on respect, responsibility, resilience, and inclusion; emphasis on helping students prepare for local and broader opportunities
- Leadership style: Distributed leadership with student involvement through house and extracurricular activities
- Behaviour expectations: Clear codes of conduct promoting safety, respect, and accountability
- Community reputation: A locally engaged school known for its supportive environment and strong ties to the Forbes region
- Diversity & inclusion: Commitment to inclusive practices and support for students from diverse backgrounds
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## School Logistics & Daily Operations
Important day-to-day information to help families plan around school life.
- School hours: Typical daytime schedule (e.g., start around 9:00 am; finish in mid-to-late afternoon; exact times may vary by year and timetable)
- Before/after school care: Availability may be limited; check with the school for any care programs or external partners
- Uniform requirements: Full NSW public high school uniform as per Department policy
- Transport: Local bus routes and school transport options; information on routes and passes provided by the school or Department of Education
- Canteen availability: On-site canteen or lunch facilities; details on offerings and hours
- Fees: Public high schools have low to medium miscellaneous costs (stationery, activities, etc.); specifics vary by year and subject choices
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## Enrolment & Admissions
11. What is the enrolment process and timeline?
- Submit an enrolment application through the NSW Department of Education process and Forbes High School intake procedures. For Year 7, applications are typically processed in the months leading up to the new school year, with offers made as vacancies allow.
12. Is there a waiting list, and how does it work?
- If the school is oversubscribed, there may be a waiting list. Priority generally goes to in-catchment students; waitlist positions are allocated in order of application and subject to vacancy availability.
13. Are there any entry requirements, tests, or interviews?
- For most NSW public high schools, there are no selective entrance tests for general enrolment. Some schools may offer interviews or require documentation, particularly for mid-year or specialist programs; Forbes High School typically does not require a competitive entrance test.
14. Does the school accept mid-year transfers?
- Yes, mid-year transfers are possible if there is vacancy and the transfer aligns with NSW Department requirements and the school’s capacity. Parents should contact the school as early as possible to discuss availability and the transfer process.
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## Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Parents Choose This School?
- A close-knit, rural community environment with strong student support and access to core subjects and pathways to further study or VET.
- What type of student thrives at this school?
- Students who value a supportive community, practical learning opportunities, and participation in a range of sports and clubs.
- What opportunities are available for students to extend their skills (academics, sports, arts)?
- A mix of strong core academic programs, elective options, VET pathways, and diverse clubs (robotics, coding, debating, arts).
- How does the school communicate with parents?
- Regular updates through newsletters, the school website, email, and parent-teacher events; specific communication channels vary by term.
- What is the school’s approach to teaching and learning?
- A combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and practical activities designed to develop literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving abilities, with support for different learning needs.
- How does the school support students who need extra academic help?
- Access to Learning Support, SEN provisions, targeted interventions, and assistance through teachers and support staff.
- What support is available for academic challenges?
- Additional tutoring, modified assessments where appropriate, and monitoring through the Learning Support Team or Year advisers.
- How does the school communicate with parents? (Repeat)
- See above.
- What are the class sizes and how much individual attention do students receive?
- Class sizes typically around 20–24 students, with teacher support available within classes and through learning support services.
- What extracurricular and sports opportunities are available?
- A range of sports, music, drama, and clubs such as robotics, chess, coding, and debating, plus opportunities to compete in district events.
- What facilities does the school offer (sports, science, arts)?
- Sports grounds, libraries, science labs, music/performing arts centers, tech/innovation labs, a cafeteria, and updated outdoor spaces.
- What is the school’s approach to technology and digital learning?
- Integration of ICT in learning, access to digital resources, and opportunities for students to develop digital skills through relevant subjects and clubs.
- What transport and accessibility options are available?
- Local bus routes and school transport options; information provided by the school and Department of Education.
- What are the typical school fees or additional costs?
- Administrative or activity costs may apply; overall, fees are in the low to medium range for NSW public high schools. Specifics vary by year and subject choices.
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## Short Pros & Cons list
- Pros
- Public, community-focused environment with strong pastoral care
- Balanced emphasis on academics, sport, and extracurriculars
- Moderate class sizes conducive to individual attention
- Range of support services for diverse learners
- Accessible facilities for science, arts, and technology
- Cons
- Smaller, rural school may offer a narrower elective range than larger urban schools
- Transport logistics can be challenging for some families outside town
- Availability of some programs may depend on staffing and funding in any given year
- Mid-year transfer opportunities depend on vacancy and may require coordination with the school
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