Five Islands Secondary College vs St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Five Islands Secondary College
Port Kembla · Government high school · 9-12
293 students · ICSEA 983
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School
Warrawong · Catholic primary · K-6
149 students · ICSEA 1013
| Measure | Five Islands Secondary College Port Kembla NSW | St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School Warrawong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #272 of 539 | #879 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #715 of 1,472 | #2685 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 9-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 293 | 149 |
| Girls / boys | 199 / 94 | 70 / 79 |
| Foundation intake | – | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 79 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -25% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 983 | 1013 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 53th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 7.2 | 15.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 37.5 | 9.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.0 | 6.3 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 4% |
| Suburb | Port Kembla 2505 | Warrawong 2502 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fiveislands-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sfawdow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Five Islands Secondary College scores higher on the Success Index (51.2 vs 50.0).
- •St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1013 vs 983), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Five Islands Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (7.2 vs 15.1).
- •Five Islands Secondary College is the larger school with 293 students compared with 149.
- •Five Islands Secondary College has grown faster over five years (-15% vs -25%).
- •Five Islands Secondary College is a government school while St Francis of Assisi 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 Five Islands Secondary College better than St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Five Islands Secondary College ranks higher (51.2 vs 50.0 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 Five Islands Secondary College and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School?
About 3.2 km in a straight line, between Port Kembla and Warrawong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Five Islands Secondary College has 7.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School has 15.1.
How do Five Islands Secondary College and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Five Islands Secondary College is 272nd of 539 and St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School is 879th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.