Bangalow Public School vs St Finbarr's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 9.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bangalow Public School
Bangalow · Government primary · K-6
295 students · ICSEA 1088
St Finbarr's Primary School
Byron Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
325 students · ICSEA 1096
| Measure | Bangalow Public School Bangalow NSW | St Finbarr's Primary School Byron Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #275 of 1,619 | #257 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #934 of 4,908 | #865 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 295 | 325 |
| Girls / boys | 138 / 157 | 152 / 173 |
| Foundation intake | 39 | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +22% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1088 | 1096 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 18.1 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.3 | 20.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.6 | 6.8 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 2% |
| Suburb | Bangalow 2479 | Byron Bay 2481 |
| Council area | Byron | Byron |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bangalow-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.bbplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (70.9 vs 71.6).
- •St Finbarr's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1096 vs 1088), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Finbarr's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (15.6 vs 18.1).
- •St Finbarr's Primary School is the larger school with 325 students compared with 295.
- •Bangalow Public School has grown faster over five years (22% vs 10%).
- •Bangalow Public School is a government school while St Finbarr's Primary School is a catholic 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 Bangalow Public School better than St Finbarr's Primary 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 Bangalow Public School and St Finbarr's Primary School?
About 9.1 km in a straight line, between Bangalow and Byron Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bangalow Public School has 18.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Finbarr's Primary School has 15.6.
How do Bangalow Public School and St Finbarr's Primary School rank in NSW?
Bangalow Public School is 275th of 1,619 and St Finbarr's Primary School is 257th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.