Five Islands Secondary College vs St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 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 Patrick's Catholic Primary School
Port Kembla · Catholic primary · K-6
177 students · ICSEA 1058
| Measure | Five Islands Secondary College Port Kembla NSW | St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Port Kembla NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #272 of 539 | #526 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #715 of 1,472 | #1603 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 9-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 293 | 177 |
| Girls / boys | 199 / 94 | 83 / 94 |
| Foundation intake | – | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 79 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 983 | 1058 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 71th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 7.2 | 15.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 37.5 | 11.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.0 | 4.6 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 1% |
| Suburb | Port Kembla 2505 | Port Kembla 2505 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fiveislands-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sppkdow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.5 vs 51.2).
- •St Patrick's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1058 vs 983), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Five Islands Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (7.2 vs 15.4).
- •Five Islands Secondary College is the larger school with 293 students compared with 177.
- •St Patrick's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -15%).
- •Five Islands Secondary College is a government school while St Patrick's 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 Patrick's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (63.5 vs 51.2 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 Patrick's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Port Kembla and Port Kembla 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 Patrick's Catholic Primary School has 15.4.
How do Five Islands Secondary College and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Five Islands Secondary College is 272nd of 539 and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School is 526th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.