Terrigal is a large, modern school with a strong emphasis on academic performance. The school is committed to providing genuine, high-quality, comprehensive educational opportunities for all students. It has an established record of excellence in academic and sporting pursuits as well as a reputation for high-quality programs in the performing arts.
Facilities: Modern library, multi-purpose centre, four computer rooms, design and technology laboratory, sporting field, agriculture plot, six science laboratories, practical rooms for music, industrial arts and food technology. Adjacent playing fields and a basketball stadium are also used, as are the beach and rock platforms.
Electives Years 7 to 10: In addition to English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and PD/Health/PE, the school offers a variety of subjects for study in Years 7 and 8. In Years 9 and 10 the students may choose from the following electives — Music, Japanese, Commerce, Aboriginal Studies, Agriculture, Visual Arts, Visual Design, Dance, Drama, Technical Drawing, Textiles and Design, Design and Technology, Wood Technics, Metal Technics, Graphic and Computer-aided Drafting, Food Technology, Electronics, and Human Movement.
Electives Years 11 and 12: A full range of NSW Board-determined courses is offered. These include all levels of English and Mathematics, Aboriginal Studies, Agriculture, Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Community and Family Studies, Computer Applications, Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, Earth and Environment, Economics, Engineering Studies, Exploring Early Childhood, Food Technology, Geography, Hospitality, Industrial Technology (Multimedia), Industrial Technology (Timber), Information Processes and Technology, Japanese, Legal Studies, Marine Studies, Modern History, Music, PD/Health/PE, Photography, Physics, Senior Science, Society and Culture, Software Design, Sport Lifestyle and Recreation, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts, Visual Design. A large range of VET (Vocational Education Training) courses are run from the school using School and TAFE facilities.
Sport: Terrigal High is active in a full range of competitive sports, competing in 22 state knock-out events. The school has particular strengths in basketball, swimming, touch football, rugby league, cross-country, athletics, surf lifesaving and surfing. A wide variety of leisure sports is also offered including aerobics, dance, weight training, circuit work, squash, roller-skating, beach activities, surfing, sail-boarding and power walking.
Extracurricular activities: Rock Eisteddfod, school band, music, vocal ensemble, drama, dance, debating, public speaking, Youth of the Year, Mock Trial, Schools in Parliament, Australian Business Week, Youth in Performing Arts.
Welfare and personal development: Terrigal High has a comprehensive welfare system strongly supported by staff and parents. Its primary aim is to reward positive achievement and behaviour in academic, sporting and extracurricular areas. The school has an intensive transition to high school program with scheduled social- and thinking-skills lessons in Year 7. A leadership program operates with Year 7 and Year 11, which incorporates both peer support and mediation programs. There is an active SRC with full representation on the school council. A mentor program exists for Year 11 students, and Year 12 students may choose to take part in a “10 per cent on top” program.