Blackheath Public School vs St Canice's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 8.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blackheath Public School
Blackheath · Government primary · K-6
254 students · ICSEA 1050
St Canice's Primary School
Katoomba · Catholic primary · K-6
67 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | Blackheath Public School Blackheath NSW | St Canice's Primary School Katoomba NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #848 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2581 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 254 | 67 |
| Girls / boys | 129 / 125 | 33 / 34 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 11 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -26% | -41% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1050 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 68th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 27% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 18.0 | 5.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 14.1 | 11.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.5 | 6.0 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 31% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 3% |
| Suburb | Blackheath 2785 | Katoomba 2780 |
| Council area | Blue Mountains | Blue Mountains |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | blackheath-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stcaniceskatoomba.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Canice's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (55.3 vs 51.5).
- •Blackheath Public School has the higher ICSEA (1050 vs 1020), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Canice's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (5.8 vs 18.0).
- •Blackheath Public School is the larger school with 254 students compared with 67.
- •Blackheath Public School has grown faster over five years (-26% vs -41%).
- •Blackheath Public School is a government school while St Canice'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 Blackheath Public School better than St Canice's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Canice's Primary School ranks higher (55.3 vs 51.5 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 Blackheath Public School and St Canice's Primary School?
About 8.9 km in a straight line, between Blackheath and Katoomba in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blackheath Public School has 18.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Canice's Primary School has 5.8.
How do Blackheath Public School and St Canice's Primary School rank in NSW?
Blackheath Public School is 848th of 1,619 and St Canice's Primary School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.