Nowra is part of the Shoalhaven District on the South Coast of New South Wales. Nowra High School draws students from as far north as Gerringong and from as far south as Ulladulla. This year the school had approximately 50 more applications to enrol in Year 7 than it was able to accommodate. The school has a long history of academic, cultural and sporting achievements. In recent years, as a technology high school, priority was given to the provision of a technology enhanced education. It has been decided that while this aspect of the curriculum remains important, other areas, primarily the provision of vocational courses, need to be emphasised. It is in this context that the school has proudly returned to its comprehensive status. The purpose of the school is to ensure that students: exhibit high self esteem as learners and individuals; be self directed as learners and responsible members of the community; achieve academically through the development of thinking, appraisal and understanding skills; generalise learning and knowledge to a wide variety of contexts; demonstrate concern for the environment, self and others; establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships; lead a healthy lifestyle; and demonstrate teamwork skills and attitudes.