St Joseph's Catholic Primary School vs Woonona High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Bulli · Catholic primary · K-6
412 students · ICSEA 1121
Woonona High School
Woonona · Government high school · 7-12
767 students · ICSEA 1030
| Measure | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Bulli NSW | Woonona High School Woonona NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #179 of 1,619 | #245 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #653 of 4,908 | #645 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 412 | 767 |
| Girls / boys | 204 / 208 | 361 / 406 |
| Foundation intake | 59 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 129 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 104 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1121 | 1030 |
| ICSEA percentile | 90th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 48% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 16.3 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.2 | 59.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.6 | 14.1 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 6% |
| Suburb | Bulli 2516 | Woonona 2517 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.sjbdow.catholic.edu.au | woonona-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (73.8 vs 54.5).
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1121 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Woonona High School has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 16.3).
- •Woonona High School is the larger school with 767 students compared with 412.
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -10%).
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a catholic school while Woonona High 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School better than Woonona High School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (73.8 vs 54.5 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 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Woonona High School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Bulli and Woonona in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has 16.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Woonona High School has 12.8.
How do St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Woonona High School rank in NSW?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is 179th of 1,619 and Woonona High School is 245th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.