Rangiora New Life School vs St Thomas of Canterbury College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Canterbury, New Zealand, 24 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Rangiora New Life School
Southbrook · State integrated composite · Years 1–13
469 students
St Thomas of Canterbury College
Sockburn · State integrated secondary (year 7-15) · Years 7–13
686 students
| Measure | Rangiora New Life School Southbrook, Canterbury | St Thomas of Canterbury College Sockburn, Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 67 Top 25% | 77 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #17 of 57 | #9 of 57 |
| National rank | #119 of 486 | #61 of 486 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Composite | Secondary (Year 7-15) |
| Year range | Years 1–13 | Years 7–13 |
| Students | 469 | 686 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 434 | 430 |
| Total roll | 469 | 686 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 4.9% | 6.4% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | 87.8% | 95.9% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | 56.1% | 76% |
| Māori students | 9% | 19% |
| Pacific students | 2.6% | 20.6% |
| International students | 0.4% | 2.6% |
| suburb or town | Southbrook | Sockburn |
| region | Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Website | www.rnls.school.nz | www.stc.school.nz |
The verdict
- •St Thomas of Canterbury College scores higher on the Success Index (NZ) (77.3 vs 67.3).
- •St Thomas of Canterbury College does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (430 vs 434).
- •St Thomas of Canterbury College does better on roll size (686 vs 469).
- •St Thomas of Canterbury College does better on roll growth (5 years) (6.4% vs 4.9%).
- •St Thomas of Canterbury College does better on school leavers with ncea level 2+ (95.9% vs 87.8%).
- •St Thomas of Canterbury College is the larger school with 686 students compared with 469.
- •Rangiora New Life School is co-educational and St Thomas of Canterbury College is boys.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Rangiora New Life School better than St Thomas of Canterbury College?
On the Success Index (NZ), St Thomas of Canterbury College ranks higher (77.3 vs 67.3 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Rangiora New Life School and St Thomas of Canterbury College?
About 24 km in a straight line, between Southbrook and Sockburn in Canterbury.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Rangiora New Life School: 434. St Thomas of Canterbury College: 430. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Rangiora New Life School and St Thomas of Canterbury College rank in Canterbury?
Rangiora New Life School is 17th of 57 and St Thomas of Canterbury College is 9th of 57 among composite schools in Canterbury on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).