Kemblawarra Public School vs St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 950 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kemblawarra Public School
Port Kembla · Government primary · P-6
153 students · ICSEA 892
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
Port Kembla · Catholic primary · K-6
177 students · ICSEA 1058
| Measure | Kemblawarra Public School Port Kembla NSW | St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Port Kembla NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1287 of 1,619 | #526 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3992 of 4,908 | #1603 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | P-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 153 | 177 |
| Girls / boys | 72 / 81 | 83 / 94 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 892 | 1058 |
| ICSEA percentile | 9th | 71th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 8.9 | 15.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.1 | 11.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.1 | 4.6 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 33% | 1% |
| Suburb | Port Kembla 2505 | Port Kembla 2505 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | kemblawarr-p.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 31.8).
- •St Patrick's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1058 vs 892), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kemblawarra Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 15.4).
- •St Patrick's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 177 students compared with 153.
- •Kemblawarra Public School has grown faster over five years (28% vs 4%).
- •Kemblawarra Public School 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 Kemblawarra Public School better than St Patrick's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (63.5 vs 31.8 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 Kemblawarra Public School and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School?
About 950 m in a straight line, between Port Kembla and Port Kembla in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kemblawarra Public School has 8.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School has 15.4.
How do Kemblawarra Public School and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Kemblawarra Public School is 1287th of 1,619 and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School is 526th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.