Sacred Heart Central School vs St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 108 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart Central School
Cootamundra · Catholic combined · K-10
376 students · ICSEA 994
St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra
Cowra · Catholic combined · K-12
442 students · ICSEA 985
| Measure | Sacred Heart Central School Cootamundra NSW | St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra Cowra NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #252 of 314 | #248 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #892 of 1,259 | #872 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-10 | K-12 |
| Students | 376 | 442 |
| Girls / boys | 182 / 194 | 239 / 203 |
| Foundation intake | 38 | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | 42 | 41 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 19 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +16% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 994 | 985 |
| ICSEA percentile | 44th | 40th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 31% |
| Students per teacher | 13.7 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.4 | 39.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.3 | 15.4 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 12% | 18% |
| Suburb | Cootamundra 2590 | Cowra 2794 |
| Council area | Cootamundra-Gundagai | Cowra |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.shcoota.nsw.edu.au | www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra scores higher on the Success Index (39.5 vs 38.3).
- •Sacred Heart Central School has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 985), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 13.7).
- •St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra is the larger school with 442 students compared with 376.
- •Sacred Heart Central School has grown faster over five years (16% vs 6%).
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 Sacred Heart Central School better than St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra?
On the Success Index, St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra ranks higher (39.5 vs 38.3 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 Sacred Heart Central School and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra?
About 108 km in a straight line, between Cootamundra and Cowra in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sacred Heart Central School has 13.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra has 11.1.
How do Sacred Heart Central School and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra rank in NSW?
Sacred Heart Central School is 252nd of 314 and St Raphael's Catholic School Cowra is 248th of 314 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.