St Francis Xavier's College vs The Junction Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Francis Xavier's College
Hamilton · Catholic high school · 7-12
959 students · ICSEA 1096
The Junction Public School
Merewether · Government primary · K-6
450 students · ICSEA 1115
| Measure | St Francis Xavier's College Hamilton NSW | The Junction Public School Merewether NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 85 Top 5% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #9 of 539 | #508 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #22 of 1,472 | #1533 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 959 | 450 |
| Girls / boys | 501 / 458 | 215 / 235 |
| Foundation intake | – | 62 |
| Year 7 cohort | 144 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 344 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | -17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1096 | 1115 |
| ICSEA percentile | 83th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 38% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 18.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 91.6 | 24.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.1 | 3.6 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 6% |
| Suburb | Hamilton 2303 | Merewether 2291 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hamilton.catholic.edu.au | thejunctio-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Francis Xavier's College scores higher on the Success Index (84.6 vs 64.2).
- •The Junction Public School has the higher ICSEA (1115 vs 1096), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Francis Xavier's College has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 18.4).
- •St Francis Xavier's College is the larger school with 959 students compared with 450.
- •St Francis Xavier's College has grown faster over five years (2% vs -17%).
- •St Francis Xavier's College is a catholic school while The Junction 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 St Francis Xavier's College better than The Junction Public School?
On the Success Index, St Francis Xavier's College ranks higher (84.6 vs 64.2 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 St Francis Xavier's College and The Junction Public School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Hamilton and Merewether in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Francis Xavier's College has 10.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Junction Public School has 18.4.
How do St Francis Xavier's College and The Junction Public School rank in NSW?
St Francis Xavier's College is 9th of 539 and The Junction Public School is 508th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.