Small towns, big results: Regional Tasmanian schools beat the odds to rank in state’s Top 30 Public High Schools

Small Tasmanian rural schools have dominated the state’s education power rankings, with Wynyard High’s principal revealing the secret behind their success. Explore the full list.

The principal of one of Tasmania’s top-ranking public schools says their result proves that smaller regional schools can deliver big results.

Serving the pupils of the rural seaside town on Tasmania’s North West Coast, Wynyard High School came in at 10th place in News Corp’s ranked list of Tasmania’s Top 30 Public High Schools.

Principal Paul Harding said their status as a “small regional school” allowed them to build close relationships with families, and tailor learning to suit individual needs.

Their impressive ranking reflected a commitment to the school’s culture and values, he said, which included building respectful relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and empowering students to be “confidence, capable learners and citizens”.

School spirit – students from Wynyard High School. Picture: Supplied

“Wynyard High is a small school, and that’s one of our greatest strengths,” Mr Harding said.

“We know our students well. Our dedicated staff check in regularly, not just on their learning, but on their wellbeing too.

“It’s this close-knit, supportive environment that helps students thrive both academically and personally … and a nurturing environment where every student is known and valued.”

Of the schools recognised in the state’s ranking, more than half were classified as regional or country schools.

They included five schools in the top 10 – Flinders Island District High School, Penguin High School, Triabunna High School, St Helens District High School, Latrobe High School and Wynyard.

Like Flinders Island District High School, King Island District High School in Currie serves some of Tasmania’s most remote island communities. The school placed 19th in the ranking.

On Tasmania’s main island, Mountain Heights School in Queenstown and St Marys District School which, cater to students on the West and East Coasts, placed 20th and 29th place respectively.

Wynyard High School principal Paul Harding with students. Picture: supplied

Regional schools such as Deloraine High School and Dover District School – which placed 21st and 18th respectively – were also recognised for their support of rural populations across wide catchment areas.

Other schools, including Campania District School, Woodbridge School, Tasman District School in Nubeena, Sheffield School – which play a vital role in Tasmania’s farming and coastal communities – also cracked the top 30.

Penguin District School principal Angela McAuliffe said being a Tasmanian district school came with “unique advantages”.

“District schools in Tasmania are more than educational institutions - they’re community learning hubs, often in one school towns and the heart of the community,” she said.

“We have the privilege of watching students grow from curious preschoolers into confident independent young adults, ready for the next stage of their education.

“That continuity allows us to build deep, trusting relationships with families, many of whom have been part of our school for generations.

“It’s more than a school, it’s a community, and we’re incredibly proud of the role we play in shaping it.”

The rankings were made according to a number of factors including year 9 NAPLAN results, school attendance, average cost per student and student to teacher ratio.

Nicole Jones, principal of the state’s highest-ranking school Flinders Island District High School – which was also the only Tasmanian public school to make the national top 100 and had a student-teacher ratio of seven to one – said the school’s success was credit to its place as a meeting point for the community.

Many student leaders from high-ranking schools shared that sentiment, expressing a strong sense of loyalty for their schools, and responsibility in their roles as student representatives.

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Originally published as Small towns, big results: Regional Tasmanian schools beat the odds to rank in state’s Top 30 Public High Schools