# Newcastle Middle School

Newcastle Middle School is a NSW government schools for specific purposes in Waratah, New South Wales, Australia.

- **Sector**: NSW government school
- **Type**: Schools for Specific Purposes
- **Gender**: Co-ed
- **Enrolments**: 45 (2025)
- **Address**: Christo Rd, Waratah NSW 2298
- **Phone**: (02) 4960 2122
- **Website**: https://newcastlem-s.schools.nsw.gov.au
- **Email**: newcastlem-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au
- **ACARA AGE ID**: 56194
- **Established**: 1981-06-01

## About

Newcastle Middle School aims to create educational pathways for students with intellectual disability and complex, multiple disabilities which significantly limit access to the regular school curriculum. Uniquely, Newcastle Middle School comprises three separate educational entities: Newcastle Junior School for Pre-school to Year 4 programs, Newcastle Middle School for Year 5 to Year 8, and Newcastle Senior School for Year 9 to 12 programs, focusing on preparing students for post-school life.

## Educational Approach
From enrolment to the final months of school, students at Newcastle Middle School are engaged in transition education. The school negotiates individual learning plans with families, promoting quality of life outcomes and ensuring that each student's unique needs are addressed. The staff includes 32 permanent teacher positions, including a Lead Principal and three site principals, as well as 20 teachers and 28 School Learning Support Officers. All teaching staff meet the requirements for educators in NSW public schools.

## Supportive Environment
Newcastle Middle School fosters a collaborative environment where teaching staff work closely with families and community support agencies. The school's ethos centres around discovering and developing the potential of every child, helping them achieve the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for success. This friendly and inclusive atmosphere is critical, especially for students with moderate to severe disabilities, who receive tailored support to thrive academically and socially.

The school is committed to ensuring that its students build independence and confidence through quality learning opportunities, ultimately maximising their potential both at school and beyond.

## Mission

Newcastle Middle School is a NSW government school that caters for students with moderate/severe intellectual and physical disabilities. Our school provides a friendly, inclusive atmosphere for students from Year 5 to Year 8. School staff work collaboratively with families and carers to deliver innovative, quality learning experiences that enable students to work towards their personalised learning priorities and achieve curriculum outcomes from NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Our aim is to provide our students with an education that caters for a diverse range of needs and provide opportunities that will support their learning and development beyond school.

Motto: "POTENTIAL | DETERMINATION | ACHIEVEMENT"

## Enrolment history

| Year | Enrolments |
| --- | --- |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2019 | 37 |
| 2018 | 42 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2016 | 48 |
| 2015 | 43 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2013 | 46 |
| 2012 | 40 |
| 2011 | 44 |
| 2010 | 43 |
| 2009 | 36 |
| 2008 | 30 |

---
Source: SchoolAtlas (https://www.schoolatlas.com.au/schools/56194-newcastle-middle-school), compiled from ACARA and NSW Department of Education data, reference year 2025. SchoolAtlas does not rank schools.