Blue Hills College vs The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blue Hills College
Goonellabah · Independent combined · K-12
201 students · ICSEA 999
The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus
Lismore · Government high school · 7-12
438 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | Blue Hills College Goonellabah NSW | The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 40 Lower 50% | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #247 of 314 | #349 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #870 of 1,259 | #988 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | K-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 201 | 438 |
| Girls / boys | 92 / 109 | 211 / 227 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 18 | 76 |
| Year 12 cohort | 3 | 53 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 999 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 46th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 11.1 | 10.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.0 | 42.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.6 | 11.4 |
| Language background other than English | 25% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 21% |
| Suburb | Goonellabah 2480 | Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bluehills.nsw.edu.au | lismore-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Blue Hills College scores higher on the Success Index (39.5 vs 38.4).
- •Blue Hills College has the higher ICSEA (999 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus has fewer students per teacher (10.3 vs 11.1).
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus is the larger school with 438 students compared with 201.
- •Blue Hills College has grown faster over five years (1% vs -8%).
- •Blue Hills College is a independent school while The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus 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 Blue Hills College better than The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus?
On the Success Index, Blue Hills College ranks higher (39.5 vs 38.4 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 Blue Hills College and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus?
About 5.6 km in a straight line, between Goonellabah and Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blue Hills College has 11.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus has 10.3.
How do Blue Hills College and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus rank in NSW?
Blue Hills College is 247th of 314 and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus is 349th of 539 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.