Lumen Christi Catholic College vs St Patrick's Parish School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 104 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
St Patrick's Parish School
Cooma · Catholic combined · K-10
457 students · ICSEA 1037
| Measure | Lumen Christi Catholic College Pambula Beach NSW | St Patrick's Parish School Cooma NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #211 of 314 | #195 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #668 of 1,259 | #618 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | K-10 |
| Students | 692 | 457 |
| Girls / boys | 342 / 350 | 228 / 229 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | 44 |
| Year 7 cohort | 90 | 41 |
| Year 12 cohort | 76 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +66% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1040 | 1037 |
| ICSEA percentile | 64th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 59.7 | 35.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.9 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 3% |
| Suburb | Pambula Beach 2549 | Cooma 2630 |
| Council area | Bega Valley | Snowy Monaro |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.lumen.nsw.edu.au | www.stpatscooma.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's Parish School scores higher on the Success Index (51.7 vs 49.5).
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1040 vs 1037), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 12.9).
- •Lumen Christi Catholic College is the larger school with 692 students compared with 457.
- •St Patrick's Parish School has grown faster over five years (66% vs -8%).
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 St Patrick's Parish School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's Parish School ranks higher (51.7 vs 49.5 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 Lumen Christi Catholic College and St Patrick's Parish School?
About 104 km in a straight line, between Pambula Beach and Cooma 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 St Patrick's Parish School has 12.9.
How do Lumen Christi Catholic College and St Patrick's Parish School rank in NSW?
Lumen Christi Catholic College is 211th of 314 and St Patrick's Parish School is 195th of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.