Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School vs St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 583 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School
Bowral · Independent combined · K-12
131 students · ICSEA 1052
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School
Bowral · Catholic primary · K-6
219 students · ICSEA 1103
| Measure | Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School Bowral NSW | St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School Bowral NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 314 | #399 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #454 of 1,259 | #1235 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 131 | 219 |
| Girls / boys | 64 / 67 | 110 / 109 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1103 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 40% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 13.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.7 | 7.3 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 3% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Bowral 2576 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | aurorasteiner.nsw.edu.au/ | www.stabdow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (67.7 vs 60.4).
- •St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1103 vs 1052), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 16.8).
- •St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 219 students compared with 131.
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -40%).
- •Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is a independent school while St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School is a catholic school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School better than St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School ranks higher (67.7 vs 60.4 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School?
About 583 m in a straight line, between Bowral and Bowral in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School has 10.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School is 141st of 314 and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School is 399th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.