The Cessnock Way

Cessnock High School is a Year 7 to Year 12, comprehensive, co-educational secondary school in Cessnock. We are proud to be part of a strong public education system and welcome students from all backgrounds and cultures.

Our vision:  At Cessnock High School, we empower our students to reach their full potential through a commitment to academic excellence, personal development, and future readiness. Our focus on trauma informed practice, differentiated learning experiences and building our culture of "The Cessnock Way" allow students to engage in a safe and enriching learning environment.

Our dedicated staff provide students with high-quality education, a wide range of programs, and personalised support. We equip our students with a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success. Everything we do at Cessnock High School in underpinned in trauma informed student focused practices that focuses on high expectations and ongoing support:

Student success

At Cessnock High School, we provide free, high quality education that fosters lifelong learning and success. We deliver excellent outcomes, from strong literacy and numeracy results. Our NAPLAN student growth across NSW has ranked in the top percentile in the last 2 years. Our HSC results continue to trend upwards with an increase in students obtaining higher band scores across all courses.

A world of opportunities

Cessnock High School offers endless opportunities for students to grow and succeed. Whether its academics, student leadership, peer support, Interact Club, community service or sport, there’s something for everyone. Our focus on building skills, making a difference, and striving for excellence, allows every student to find their path and thrive.

Transition focus

In line with our positive growth in the classroom we strive to provide post school pathway opportunities to our students. Our Careers and Senior Studies program provide our students with a platform to explore a range of opportunities. These opportunities include access to University, TAFE, School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships (SBAT), Work Experience through tailored patterns of study.

Diversity and inclusion

Cessnock High School is a diverse and inclusive environment which celebrates difference and supports all students to grow. Our inclusive curriculum across all areas of the school is supported further by targeted student access to The SEEK Learning Centre, The Wellbeing Hub or the Kirawa Learning Centre. Our students receive tailored support that allows them an enriching experience filled with academic, wellbeing and social development opportunities.

Sporting excellence

Cessnock High School has a strong tradition of sporting excellence, with students regularly achieving standout performances in athletics, diving, and a wide range of competitive school carnivals. Recent success at the Hunter Region Springboard and Platform Diving Championships as seen multiple student earn selection for the NSW championships.

Community engagement

Cessnock High School demonstrates strong community engagement through a variety of partnerships and programs that seek to connect the school, families, and the broader local area. The school’s Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) actively contributes to decision-making, policy development, fundraising, and school management, strengthening the voice of parents and carers. There is also support for families via counselling services and inclusion programs that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds as well as multicultural diversity.