Lumen Christi Catholic College vs Merimbula Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 6.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Lumen Christi Catholic College
Pambula Beach · Catholic combined · K-12
692 students · ICSEA 1040
Merimbula Public School
Merimbula · Government primary · K-6
428 students · ICSEA 1001
| Measure | Lumen Christi Catholic College Pambula Beach NSW | Merimbula Public School Merimbula NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #211 of 314 | #880 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #668 of 1,259 | #2698 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 692 | 428 |
| Girls / boys | 342 / 350 | 197 / 231 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | 56 |
| Year 7 cohort | 90 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 76 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1040 | 1001 |
| ICSEA percentile | 64th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 15.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 59.7 | 27.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.9 | 7.2 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 9% |
| Suburb | Pambula Beach 2549 | Merimbula 2548 |
| Council area | Bega Valley | Bega Valley |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.lumen.nsw.edu.au | merimbula-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (49.5 vs 49.8).
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1040 vs 1001), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 15.7).
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College is the larger school with 692 students compared with 428.
- •Merimbula Public School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -8%).
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College is a catholic school while Merimbula Public School is a government 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 Lumen Christi Catholic College better than Merimbula Public School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Lumen Christi Catholic College and Merimbula Public School?
About 6.0 km in a straight line, between Pambula Beach and Merimbula in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Lumen Christi Catholic College has 11.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Merimbula Public School has 15.7.
How do Lumen Christi Catholic College and Merimbula Public School rank in NSW?
Lumen Christi Catholic College is 211th of 314 and Merimbula Public School is 880th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.