Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield vs St Joseph's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 190 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield
Fairfield · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,144 students · ICSEA 969
St Joseph's Catholic College
Aberdeen · Catholic high school · 7-12
685 students · ICSEA 968
| Measure | Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield Fairfield NSW | St Joseph's Catholic College Aberdeen NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 43 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #367 of 539 | #321 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1035 of 1,472 | #881 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,144 | 685 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 1,144 | 318 / 367 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 198 | 147 |
| Year 12 cohort | 173 | 76 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 969 | 968 |
| ICSEA percentile | 33th | 33th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 12.2 | 9.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 93.5 | 69.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 32.7 | 17.6 |
| Language background other than English | 89% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 12% |
| Suburb | Fairfield 2165 | Aberdeen 2336 |
| Council area | Fairfield | Upper Hunter |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | pbcfairfield.syd.catholic.edu.au | www.aberdeen.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (43.2 vs 36.5).
- •Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield has the higher ICSEA (969 vs 968), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (9.9 vs 12.2).
- •Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield is the larger school with 1,144 students compared with 685.
- •St Joseph's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -1%).
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 Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield better than St Joseph's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Catholic College ranks higher (43.2 vs 36.5 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 Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield and St Joseph's Catholic College?
About 190 km in a straight line, between Fairfield and Aberdeen in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield has 12.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Catholic College has 9.9.
How do Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield and St Joseph's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield is 367th of 539 and St Joseph's Catholic College is 321st of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.