Lake Cathie Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 8.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Lake Cathie Public School
Lake Cathie · Government primary · K-6
395 students · ICSEA 1007
St Joseph's Primary School
Laurieton · Catholic primary · K-6
181 students · ICSEA 1011
| Measure | Lake Cathie Public School Lake Cathie NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Laurieton NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 49 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #895 of 1,619 | #773 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2754 of 4,908 | #2360 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 395 | 181 |
| Girls / boys | 187 / 208 | 84 / 97 |
| Foundation intake | 50 | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +22% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1007 | 1011 |
| ICSEA percentile | 50th | 52th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 25% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 16.1 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.6 | 13.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.2 | 6.7 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 9% |
| Suburb | Lake Cathie 2445 | Laurieton 2443 |
| Council area | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | lakecathie-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.larplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (54.6 vs 49.2).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1011 vs 1007), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.5 vs 16.1).
- •Lake Cathie Public School is the larger school with 395 students compared with 181.
- •Lake Cathie Public School has grown faster over five years (22% vs 17%).
- •Lake Cathie Public School is a government school while St Joseph's 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 Lake Cathie Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (54.6 vs 49.2 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 Lake Cathie Public School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 8.7 km in a straight line, between Lake Cathie and Laurieton in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Lake Cathie Public School has 16.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 13.5.
How do Lake Cathie Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Lake Cathie Public School is 895th of 1,619 and St Joseph's Primary School is 773rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.