St Joseph's Regional College vs The Nature School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 4.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's Regional College
Port Macquarie · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,026 students · ICSEA 1017
The Nature School
Port Macquarie · Independent combined · K-9
171 students · ICSEA 1054
| Measure | St Joseph's Regional College Port Macquarie NSW | The Nature School Port Macquarie NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #221 of 539 | #158 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #559 of 1,472 | #499 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-9 |
| Students | 1,026 | 171 |
| Girls / boys | 556 / 470 | 88 / 83 |
| Foundation intake | – | 18 |
| Year 7 cohort | 222 | 20 |
| Year 12 cohort | 95 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +200% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1017 | 1054 |
| ICSEA percentile | 55th | 70th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 26% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 11.8 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 86.7 | 13.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 33.6 | 9.6 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 5% |
| Suburb | Port Macquarie 2444 | Port Macquarie 2444 |
| Council area | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/ | tns.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (58.1 vs 57.7).
- •The Nature School has the higher ICSEA (1054 vs 1017), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's Regional College has fewer students per teacher (11.8 vs 12.6).
- •St Joseph's Regional College is the larger school with 1,026 students compared with 171.
- •The Nature School has grown faster over five years (200% vs 3%).
- •St Joseph's Regional College is a catholic school while The Nature School is an independent 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is St Joseph's Regional College better than The Nature School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are St Joseph's Regional College and The Nature School?
About 4.5 km in a straight line, between Port Macquarie and Port Macquarie in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's Regional College has 11.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Nature School has 12.6.
How do St Joseph's Regional College and The Nature School rank in NSW?
St Joseph's Regional College is 221st of 539 and The Nature School is 158th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.