St Francis School (Thames) vs St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa)
A head-to-head comparison of two full primary schools in Waikato, New Zealand, 74 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
St Francis School (Thames)
Thames · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
78 students
St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa)
Te Rapa · State integrated full primary · Years 1–8
290 students
| Measure | St Francis School (Thames) Thames, Waikato | St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa) Te Rapa, Waikato |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 68 Top 25% | 68 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #27 of 179 | #26 of 179 |
| National rank | #450 of 1,559 | #435 of 1,559 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Full Primary | Full Primary |
| Year range | Years 1–8 | Years 1–8 |
| Students | 78 | 290 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 409 | 407 |
| Total roll | 78 | 290 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 27.7% | -3.7% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | – | – |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | – | – |
| Leavers with University Entrance | – | – |
| Māori students | 6.4% | 11.4% |
| Pacific students | 11.5% | 10.3% |
| International students | 0% | 0% |
| suburb or town | Thames | Te Rapa |
| region | Waikato | Waikato |
| Website | www.stfrancis-thames.school.nz | www.spc.ac.nz |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index (NZ) scores (67.8 vs 68.3).
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (407 vs 409).
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa) does better on roll size (290 vs 78).
- •St Francis School (Thames) does better on roll growth (5 years) (27.7% vs -3.7%).
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa) is the larger school with 290 students compared with 78.
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 St Francis School (Thames) better than St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa)?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (NZ). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are St Francis School (Thames) and St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa)?
About 74 km in a straight line, between Thames and Te Rapa in Waikato.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
St Francis School (Thames): 409. St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa): 407. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do St Francis School (Thames) and St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa) rank in Waikato?
St Francis School (Thames) is 27th of 179 and St Peter Chanel Catholic School (Te Rapa) is 26th of 179 among full primary schools in Waikato on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).